Semillon in Australia?

Napa Spa · Post by **Napa Spa** » Mon May 15, 2006 3:14 pm

I've been drinking a 73% Semillon 27% Sauvignon Blanc blend from Clos du Val in the heat this weekend. It broke 95f/35c degrees for the first time this year. low wind, hot, good surf at the beach, perfect for drinking a chilled white wine. It got me wondering if you grow much Semillon in Australia?

Davo · Post by **Davo** » Mon May 15, 2006 3:26 pm

We've got Hunter Valley Reisling

pokolbinguy · Post by **pokolbinguy** » Mon May 15, 2006 5:01 pm

The hunter valley is predominately Semillon (in its white grapes .... Shiraz in the red) Although alot of other varieties are grown here in the hunter such as verdelho, chardonnay, pinot (small amounts), Cab Sauv (small amounts), vioniger (sorry abou the spelling if that is wrong folks)...... the list goes on... but i would not hesitate to say that 90% of fruit in the region is Semillon and Shiraz.

There is a new annual festival in the valley called "Semillon & Seafood" ... fantastic idea with some truely magnificent wines and food to match.

If you want to try a consitantly good Hunter Semillon head to the local bottle shop/ wine merchant and grab yourself a bottle of Mount Pleasant Elizabeth Semillon ... this is Australias highest and consistantly awarded wine and is also very underpriced. if you want something extra special grab a bottle of Mount Pleasant Lovedale Semillon. (1999 vintage won tri-nations wine show)

Roscoe · Post by **Roscoe** » Mon May 15, 2006 5:12 pm

Is the pope Catholic?

Gavin Trott · Post by **Gavin Trott** » Mon May 15, 2006 5:50 pm

Roscoe wrote:Is the pope Catholic?

Umm

I believe so

Last time I heard.

:lol:

dlo · Post by **dlo** » Mon May 15, 2006 7:27 pm

Gavin Trott wrote:
Roscoe wrote:Is the pope Catholic?

Umm

I believe so

Last time I heard.

Being pedantic, the Pope is most definitely a Catholic. Whether he's catholic, another matter, altogether. :roll:

Ian S · Post by **Ian S** » Mon May 15, 2006 8:01 pm

Napa
...and away from the Hunter, there's also straight semillon in Barossa (typically oaked) and Margaret River, plus semillon-sauvignon blends all over the shop, especially Margaret River.

Interestingly it's been more of a struggle for Semillon in NZ
Ian

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Mon May 15, 2006 8:48 pm

woodwardbrett wrote:vioniger (sorry abou the spelling if that is wrong folks)

Said aloud, vioniger sounds a hell of a lot like vinegar. I think your spelling should be adopted

Roscoe · Post by **Roscoe** » Mon May 15, 2006 8:51 pm

dlo wrote:
Gavin Trott wrote:
Roscoe wrote:Is the pope Catholic?

Umm

I believe so

Last time I heard.

Being pedantic, the Pope is most definitely a Catholic. Whether he's catholic, another matter, altogether.

Being a hyperpedant, I believe Catholic (with a big "C") can be both a noun and an adjective, David. Whilst I am not sure the word hyperpedant exists, I understand your implied reservation about his catholicism.

pokolbinguy · Post by **pokolbinguy** » Mon May 15, 2006 9:00 pm

viogner.... or how ever u spell it ... is pronounced ..." Vee-on-yer" .... well thats how i know it.... correct me if im wrong

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Mon May 15, 2006 9:02 pm

woodwardbrett wrote:viogner.... or how ever u spell it ... is pronounced ..." Vee-on-yer" .... well thats how i know it.... correct me if im wrong

It's viognier, but vioniger sounds so much better

pokolbinguy · Post by **pokolbinguy** » Mon May 15, 2006 9:06 pm

hehehe cool, well at least someone knows hows its spelt.

Adair · Post by **Adair** » Tue May 16, 2006 12:11 am

Dear Napa Spa,

Although I am not 100% certain whether you are trying to stir me and GW up, I will calmly let you know that Australia possesses one of the most unique and revered Semillon regions in the world, the Hunter Valley. Even Her Wonderfulness Jancis has been captivated by great Semillon from the region such as the Tyrrell's Vat 1 of great years (which come by much more often than great Hunter Shiraz years).

Here is a note of mine from quite a while ago of the 1986 Vat 1: http://forum.auswine.com.au/viewtopic.php?t=463.

Additionally, Western Australia is doing well by combining it with Sauvignon Blanc to combat the NZ Sauvignon Blanc in the obvious, enjoyable yet not too serious fresh style, although there is the odd serious, straight varietal made here.

Then there is the Semillon made in the riper South Australian regions which is sort of made in a White Burgundy style, which ages remarkably well given its ripeness; up to 7-10 years in good examples.

Now back to my 1999 HVD Semillon...

Adair

Roscoe · Post by **Roscoe** » Tue May 16, 2006 5:59 am

And we also use it extensively to make dessert styles, often botrytised. Best known are from the Riverina area in southern NSW e.g. De Bortoli Noble One.

Roscoe · Post by **Roscoe** » Tue May 16, 2006 12:20 pm

Davo wrote:We've got Hunter Valley Reisling

BTW Napa, Davo is referring to an ancient Hunter Valley term for Semillon. Does anyone remember the old Tyrrells "Pinot Riesling"? Napa, this was actually a blend oF Semillon and Chardonnay. And who said we Aussies aren't perverse?

Roscoe · Post by **Roscoe** » Tue May 16, 2006 12:21 pm

Davo wrote:We've got Hunter Valley Reisling

BTW Napa, Davo is referring to an ancient Hunter Valley term for Semillon. Does anyone remember the old Tyrrells "Pinot Riesling"? Napa, this was actually a blend of Semillon and Chardonnay. And who said we Aussies aren't perverse?

Roscoe · Post by **Roscoe** » Tue May 16, 2006 12:22 pm

Davo wrote:We've got Hunter Valley Reisling

BTW Napa, Davo is referring to an ancient Hunter Valley term for Semillon. Does anyone remember the old Tyrrells "Pinot Riesling"? Napa, this was actually a blend of Semillon and Chardonnay. And who said we Aussies aren't perverse?

Alex F · Post by **Alex F** » Tue May 16, 2006 12:31 pm

mmm bad bad bad roscoe... (ah I see your problem... I did it myself)

I pronounc viognier "vee on yay", its that damned Yalumba ad

but it makes it so easy to remember! When I first got in contact with that variety I was always afraid of saying it wrong...

I still have problems with sauvignon blanc though

Roscoe · Post by **Roscoe** » Tue May 16, 2006 1:20 pm

apologise for above. Seems to be a bug in the system.

Muscat Mike · Post by **Muscat Mike** » Wed May 17, 2006 3:37 pm

Roscoe wrote:apologise for above. Seems to be a bug in the system.

Well Roscoe,
your'e the doctor. Take something to get rid of it. :wink:

MM.

PS - and then suffer the side effects.

Roscoe · Post by **Roscoe** » Wed May 17, 2006 4:19 pm

Muscat Mike wrote:
Roscoe wrote:apologise for above. Seems to be a bug in the system.

Well Roscoe,
your'e the doctor. Take something to get rid of it.
MM.

PS - and then suffer the side effects.

Thanks MM
Will take something medicinal tonight
and enjoy the side effects.