Hunter Semillon

A 2 hour drive north of Sydney will land you in one of the oldest grape growing regions in Australia, the Hunter Valley. While the Hunter climate is relatively warm, the presence of summer dominant rainfall, afternoon cloud cover and weak sea breezes temper what could otherwise be a challenging climate for the production of quality table wine. It is in this unique climate, however, that a distinctive style of wine has evolved and earned an international reputation - Hunter Valley Semillon. This noble grape was once the world’s most commonly grown variety, yet today it thrives only in a few corners of France and Australia; and while it may be a common drop to the local Sydney-sider, this wine style is practically unheard of in America.

A refreshing wine when young, Hunter Semillon develops into a complex, well-rounded wine with age. Picked early in the season to allow for crisp minerality and herbaceous characters in their youth, the wines mature with nutty, creamed honey characters on a toasty palate.

A very common practice in Western Australia is the blending of Semillon with Sauvignon Blanc, giving the wine additional depth on the palate and a more rounded mouthfeel. In addition, Semillon’s thin skins make it susceptible to botrytis, and thus it is a common component in sweet dessert wines, both in Australia and Bordeaux’s Sauterne region.

An unknown varietal to many, Semillon is a must try!

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