Unforgettable Semillon Sauvignon Blanc Wines

This presentation will end your search about most Impressive Semillon Sauvignon Blanc Wines of 2016. So go ahead and pamper yourself with these wines coming from the best wine regions of Australia. Make every occasion count with these wines. These special few are –

·         Cathedral Rock Estate Semillon Sauvignon Blanc

·         Peter Lehmann Founding Stone Semillon Sauvignon Blanc

·         De Bortoli The Accomplice Semillon Sauvignon Blanc

·         Yallingup Semillon Sauvignon Blanc

·         Salmon Bay Semillon Sauvignon Blanc

·         Surfs Up Semillon Sauvignon Blanc

·         Peaceful Bay Semillon Sauvignon Blanc

Most Impressive Semillon Sauvignon Blanc wines of 2016 from JustWines

Sémillon - Grapes and Wines from Australia

Introduction 
Sémillon is a golden skin grape variety grown in France and Australia. It is used to make sweet and dry white wines. It was once estimated to be the world’s most grown grape variety but not anymore. 

Origin, Regions and Other Names
Sémillon grape has its roots in Bordeaux region of France. In early times, it was known by the name of Sémillon de Saint-Émilion. It is grown in Chile, France, Australia, South Africa, Argentina and New Zealand It is known by Groendruif, Colombier, Wyndruif, Malaga, Hunter River Riesling and Blanc doux to name a few.

Viticulture and Aging
Sémillon shows a high resistant to plant diseases, however, it is prone to rot. It ripens early and displays pinkish hue in warmer climates. It grows reasonably well in an area with sunny days and cool nights. Sémillon can achieve good yield - about 6 to 8 tons of grapes per acre. Sémillon wines generally age well.

Semillon Styles of Australia
In Australia, this grape variety is quite popular and in Hunter Valley wine region it goes by the name of ‘Hunter River Riesling’.

There are mainly 4 types of style by which Sémillon wine is made here –

· The first style is a commercial one, blending with Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay.
· The second one is a sweeter style, on the lines of Sauternes.
· The third style has great aging potential, is complex and minerally.
· The last one is dry style of high quality

The last two styles were started by Tyrrell's, Tulloch, Lindemans, Drayton's and McWilliam's Elizabeth and are unique to Australia in every sense.

Adelaide Hills is thriving as a Sémillon wine region, the cooler climate providing added complexity to the wine.

Riesling - Grapes and Wines from Australia

Introduction

Riesling is a white grape variety with its origin in Germany’s Rhine region. Riesling has flowery aromas and used to make sparkling white, sweet, semi-sweet and dry wines.

Although it ranks 20^th in terms of most grown grape variety with 48,700 hectares but comes in top 3 in terms of ‘most important white wines by quality’ along with Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.

Flavors & Wine Regions

Riesling is high ‘terroir expressive’ meaning that the characters developed in the wine are dependent on the place where it is grown.

Riesling is quite popular in Germany, with around 21,197 hectares in 2006, which amounted to 20.8% of all the grape variety grown planted there and in Alsace wine region of France which had 21.9% share or 3,350 hectares under it.

Wine regions of Germany with cool climate Riesling portrays tree fruit notes alongside apple notes with considerable levels of acidity. In warmer climates, such as parts of Austria and Alsace, late-harvest wines develop into peach and citrus notes. In Eden and Clare Valley of South Australia, Riesling tends to develop lime notes.

Riesling is grown in Serbia, Austria, Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Australia, northern Italy, Canada, New Zealand, China, South Africa, Washington, Ukraine, New York and California.

Aging

Commonly, Riesling wines are aged for 5 to 15 years for dry, 10 to 20 years for semi-sweet and 10 to 30 years for sweet ones.

Some high-quality off-dry or dry Riesling touch 100 years of aging and still are enjoyable

Riesling wines have a high aging potential which can be attributed to high acidity and distinct fruit flavors.

Riesling in Australia

In 1838, William Macarthur introduced Riesling in New South Wales, Australia. At one time, Riesling was the most planted white grape variety which was taken over by Chardonnay in the 1990s. Riesling is still grown in The Great Southern among other wine regions like Clare and cooler Eden Valley.

Australian Riesling has citrus fruit flavors and oily texture while young. 

Verdelho- Grapes and Wines from Australia

History

In the 15^th Century, Verdelho grape was grown primarily on the island of Madeira and Douro Valley in Portugal. However, the vines were damaged by Phylloxera plague which led to significant reduction of vines.

Australia

Verdelho arrived in Australia in the 1820s and was initially used in the production of fortified wines but which later evolved as dry white table wines.

Australian wines are known for flavors of honeysuckle and lime and an appearance of oil on the surface of wine that comes with aging.

In Australia, the grape is popular and grown in regions such as Cowra, Langhorne Creek, Swan Valley, Queensland, and Hunter region, among others. Each region gives its own unique flavors to the wine.

Climate and Flavors

Verdelho grown in cooler climate have herbal and grassy flavors and substantial presence of citrus fruit. On the other hand, Verdelho grown in a warmer climate have higher alcohol content, sweeter and has fruit salad flavors.

Viticulture

From viticulture point of view, the grapes need to be protected from the attack of powdery mildew. The vines can be harmed by cold weather conditions such as frost.

Similar sounding grape varieties

One should not be confused with similar sounding grape varieties such as Verdelho Tinto which is a red grape variety in Madeira, Verdelho Feijão of Portugal, Verduzzo which is an Italian grape variety and Verdejo which is white grape of Spain.

Value for Money

A great value for money compared to expensive Chardonnay. One can enjoy good quality Verdelho wine by shelling out $20 for a bottle.

Verdelho wines are best consumed young. 

Best White Wines of Australia

White wines are made from grapes which have hues of yellow and are not as thick skinned as the red grapes. People consume both red and white wines but it is also a fact that red wines are consumed more than the whites. People have their own preferences and staunch brand-loyalty, the white wines have their own fan-following. Some of the best white wines of Australia which people love to consume are both cheap and premium ones. While cheaper ones have mass consumption, expensive ones are consumed by niche segments. So, which of these white wine varietals are being sold the most?

The Top 25 White Wines for 2016

1. Shelter Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2013 Marlborough

2. Peter Lehmann Founding Stone Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2013

3. See Saw Sauvignon Blanc Orange Region

4. Yallingup Wines Semillon Sauvignon Blanc Margaret River

5. Salmon Bay Semillon Sauvignon Blanc Margaret River

6. Miranda Summer Light Sauvignon Blanc 2013

7. De Bortoli Accomplice Semillon Sauvignon Blanc

8. Cathedral Rock Estate Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2014 Margaret River

9. Peter Lehmann Founding Stone Chardonnay 2013

10. Mcwilliams Hanwood Estate Chardonnay South Eastern Australia

11. Wild Wood Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2013 Margaret River

12. Mcwilliams Inheritance Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2015 New South Wales

13. Eva Moscato Sweet White 2014 Australia

14. McGuigan Bin 7000 Chardonnay 2012 Hunter Valley

15. Nut House Sauvignon Blanc 2015 South Australia

16. Heart to Heart Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2013 Margaret River

17. Regal Manor Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2013 Margaret River 

18. Table Talk Chardonnay Margaret River

19. Fay McGuigan Homestead Chardonnay Hunter Valley

20. Emmetts Crossing Reserve Semillon Sauvignon Blanc Margaret River

21. De Bortoli Accomplice Chardonnay 2015 Riverina

22. Queens Pinch Chardonnay 2012 Mudgee Australia

23. Emmetts Crossing Reserve Chardonnay Margaret River

24. Hastwell & Lightfoot Chardonnay 2014 McLaren Vale

25. Coldridge Estate Chardonnay 2013 Australia