Semillion

Semillon is grown in Sauternes and Barsac, France. It has thin skins thus can be affected by noble rot so is hand-picked and blended to produced sweet wines which reach very high prices. Bordeaux, Australia, South Africa and the US produce dry white wines from Semillon, which age extremely well.

It is best to leave Semillon to age as you will experience ripe citrus fruits and creamy custard flavours. If drunk too young it will taste very lemony. Rich aromas of figs, sweet spice and honey develop over time.

Pale straw to a rich, buttercup yellow with age.

The sweet wines of Sauternes and Barsac are worth every penny, however high! The Hunter Valley in Australia produces superb dry whites at very reasonable prices, in reflection of their high quality.

Sweet wines to accompany desserts and the dry white examples are great with patés, clams and mussels.