Three semillons to beat the heat

Shake up your bottle shop habit by swapping the sauvignon blanc or chardonnay for this lesser-known, just as delicious, grape variety.

Tired of sauvignon blanc and chardonnay— we’ve found a delicious solution.

Shake up your bottle shop habit by swapping the sauvignon blanc or un-oaked chardonnay for semillon, a lesser-known grape variety.

What is semillon?

A white wine variety hailing from France and Australia’s Hunter Valley in New South Wales. In Bordeaux, it’s commonly used to make sweet wine Sauternes. In Australia it’s made in a dry style.

What does it taste like?
Hunter Valley hero is waxier and weightier than sauvignon blanc. The acidity (which makes your mouth water) is spine-tingling high and will have you reaching for another glass, with a honey mouthfeel. It’s fresh and light-bodied and very food-friendly. Expect lots of green apple flavours, lemons, honey and slight nuttiness to taste. When aged, the flavours become richer and weightier.

THREE TO TRY

2023 Brokenwood semillon: $26.

2023 BROKENWOOD SEMILLON: $26

Boisterous aromas of honey, ripe pear and meyer lemons follow through with a spine tingling acidity that will jolt you into next week. It’s assertive, yet soothing with a waxy honey texture teamed with spritely green apple, pear and lots of lemon. Quenching and more-ish with a youthful energy. Sensational value-for-money drinking.

Dan Murphy’s

2023 Briar Ridge Black Cluster semillon: $50

2016 MEEREA PARK TERRACOTTA SEMILLON: $33

Like that first breath of fresh air after an ocean swim. Smells of salty sea water, straw, lemons, honeydew melon, grapefruit and quince. Insane minerality and lemon acidity, especially for its age. Light on its feet, with an oyster shell salinity that’ll balance “hot from the fryer food” or a packet of chips.

Cellar door

2023 BRIAR RIDGE BLACK CLUSTER SEMILLON: $50

Someone pass the napkins. This juicy-fruited fellow has a powerful nose of honeysuckle, melons, pear and lemons. Splashes of crisp green apples, more lemon citrus and mineral water follow. It’s all about the fruit. No oak. Crisp, pure with plenty of longevity.

briarridge.com.au