Semillon is viewed as a heritage grape, possibly one of the oldest varieties to have been planted in South Africa. It was so pervasive at one stage that it was just called ‘Green Grape’ or ‘Groen Druif’ in Afrikaans. Now, in South Africa, plantings of Semillon have been massively reduced.
Styles of Semillon
In France it is mostly used as a blend with Sauvignon Blanc, making of the greatest white blends from the Left Bank in Bordeaux. Semillon is also appreciated for producing some of the most long-living and profound Sauterne and Barsac botrytis sweet wines.
Despite reduced plantings of Semillon some of South Africa’s most famous modern era white wines are made from old vine Semillon. Semillon is also extremely important as a blending partner in our Bordeaux-styled whites.
There was also a red mutation of Semillon, unique to South Africa. Semillon Gris produces super interesting wines that are one-of-a-kind in the world. There are relatively few bottlings but are well worth searching for.