Thursday, October 6, 2011

Session 7 - Semillon

Hunter Valley Semillon has been described as Australia's gift to the world.  Like many grape varieties it originates in France, specifically in the Bordeaux region where it is often blended with Sauvignon Blanc to make Bordeaux Blanc whites, or made into sweet botrytis affected styles as with Sauternes-Barsac.


Within Australia, there are three principal regions where Semillon is grown and made into wines of renown: Margaret River (WA), Barossa Valley (SA), and Hunter Valley (NSW).


This #SwirlSniffSpit tasting, as ever, has brought together a tasting encompassing Semillon in a broad variety of styles, demonstrating its versatility, and showing why it should be in your fridge this summer.


Bracket 1 - Sparkling
Bimbadgen Estate NV Sparkling, Hunter Valley @bimbadgen
St Agouant 1999 Brut Blanc de Blanc, Bordeaux @TheTruffleManOz


Bracket 2 - Young Semillon
Scarborough Wine Green Label Semillon 2011, Hunter Valley @ScarboroughWine
Murray Street Vineyards Semillon 2010, Barossa Valley @MSVWine


Bracket 3 - South Burnet, Queensland
Clovely Estate Left Field Semillon 2010 @ClovelyWine
Barambah Estate Semillon 2008 @BarambahWines


Bracket 4 - Aged Semillon
Meerea Park 2005 Alexander Munro Semillon, Hunter Valley @MeereaPark 
Peter Lehmann Wines Margaret Semillon 2005, Barossa Valley @PLWines


Bracket 5 - Off-Dry & Barrel Fermented
Thomas Wines 6 Degrees Semillon 2010, Hunter Valley @ThomasWines
Juniper Estate Semillon 2009, Margaret River


Bracket 6 - Dessert Wines
De Bortoli Wines Black Noble @DeBortoliWines
Punt Road Botrytis Semillon 2010, Yarra Valley @PuntRdWines

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