HOT NEW SINGLE VARIETALS: SEMILLON
ATTENTION SAUVIGNON BLANC LOVERS: SEMILLON IS THE NEW COOL WHITE GRAPE IN TOWN…
The wine industry never ceases to surprise me with its trends. One trend that I found particularly interesting that keeps popping up wherever I go is the Semillon craze I’m seeing in Los Angeles. Semillon is starting to trend hardcore here, and I’m seeing a lot of it being poured in restaurants with great wine programs by the glass at places like Hatchet Hall on the West Side. I’m seeing it in a bunch of cute wine shops as well.
WHAT IS SEMILLON & WHY SHOULD I CARE?
Semillon is a white blending grape that is commonly found in regions like Bordeaux and Australia. For the longest time, Semillon was second-fiddle to other grapes like Sauvignon Blanc. This little grape was used primarily to amp up the structure, texture and aromatics in a wine. Until fairly recently in the United States, you’d see a lot of wines that were a mixture of Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Semillon and Muscadelle.
If you’re a fan of Sauternes, the dessert wine, you should definitely consider gving Semillon a shot as a regular, dry white wine. Semillon is typically heavily featured in Sauternes. Semillon is the perfect wine to try if you’re a fan of dry white wines, but want to branch out from the usual suspects like Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio.
WHAT DOES SEMILLON TASTE LIKE?
Semillon has a distinctive taste of honey, beeswax and hay - without being sweet. You can expect to get aromas of lemon and citrus fruit, and depending on the climate it’s grown in, Semillon has a variety of different textures. If you like wines like Muscadet or Albariño from Spain, you’ll probably be a fan of Semillon too - it’s got a really nice bit of salinity that both of those wines have. Semillon has a lot of interesting secondary characteristics, with aromas of lanolin and chamomile as well.
Semillon’s greatest strength is its versatility. It can produce a zesty, lighter-bodied wine that Sauvignon Blanc fans will love, and can also come in richer styles that would make oaked Chardonnay-lovers swoon. Semillon is a lot more popular in parts of Europe and Australia but I do believe the trend is starting to catch on here.
WHAT DO I PAIR SEMILLON WITH?
Because Semillon comes in so many different styles, it’s important to really think about what type of Semillon you’re drinking before pairing it with food. Without further ado, let’s chat briefly about the styles of Semillon from their respective regions and what would be the best types of food to pair them with.
Australian Semillon -
A Richer Style For You Extra AF Thurstqueens Out There
If you’re an Oaked Chardonnay lover looking to branch out, definitely look to Australia for Semilon. A lot of the Semilon that comes out of this warm climate continent tends to be richer and fuller bodied, with more tropical fruit aromas.
Australian Semillon tends to be barrel fermented, resulting in a toastier style. Good news for you thrifty wine buyers out there — Australian Semillon is often significantly cheaper than a Napa Chardonnay, so if you’re looking for a great food wine that’s a bang for your buck, give Australian Semillon a shot. Drink while wearing a tiara.
Pair Australian Semillon With:
MEATS: Smoked Salmon or any other type of fish for that matter. Chicken, pork chops, ham, or duck.
HERBS: Cilantro, turmeric, dill, shallots.
VEGETABLES: Butternut squash, yams, potatoes.
MISC: Cream sauces, aged gouda, foie gras.
French Semillon
A zestier, brighter style for your inner sophisticate
If you are a Sauvignon Blanc fan, a zesty white wine enthusiast, or just a classy bitch in general — French Semillon or Semillon from Washington State will be your jam. The cooler climate in both of these regions naturally yields a wine with a higher acidity.
You can expect to get a lighter-bodied, lower alcohol, and more citrus forward expression of Semillon from these here parts. A lot of French Semillon may have a little bit of salinity, making it a great oyster wine or seafood wine.
Pair French Semillon With:
MEATS: Sushi, Sashimi, Oysters, Chicken.
HERBS: Chives, Fennel, Cumin, Za’atar
VEGETABLES: Salad, bell peppers, asparagus
MISC: Popcorn, Caccio e Pepe, Risotto
PICK OF THE WEEK: LITTLE FRANCES 2015 SEMILLON LUCHSINGER VINEYARD $22.00 @ Craft Brewed Nashville
A soft, pretty, mellow and etherial wine, the Little Frances 2015 Semillon is a great wine if you’re looking to venture out of your usual white wine rut. If all you drink is Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, this mineral-driven and crisp wine is an excellent wine to try. The Little Frances is light and transparent, with just a little bit of zestiness that dances in your glass.
The Little Frances has aromas of sun-soaked hay, oats, and honey-drizzled Meyer lemons. It is a lean wine that tilts more towards those honeyed aromas over heavy fruit qualities. If you’re a fan of wines that are more acidic, but seek out a balanced white — be sure to give the Little Frances a try!
Semillon is incredibly versatile, and you can pair it with just about anything from Sushi, to Oysters, to Salad, or even Pork Chops. I would give this wine a shot with a fresh salad, featuring fried chicken and a honey mustard vinaigrette. Have you had Semillon? Tell me what your thoughts are below.