A snapshot of Australian Semillon
Tuesday 14 February 2012
Often a supporting actor rather than a headlining star, Sémillon (unaccented Semillon in Oz) can nevertheless win Oscars in very specific contexts. I think that's why the variety draws me and why I particularly wanted to taste this group of 100% Semillon wines that were lined up – blind – as part of last month's Australia Day tasting in London.
For the full story of Sémillon around the world, you'll have to wait until our forthcoming book The Grape is published in October by Allen Lane in the UK and Ecco in the US. However, spare a thought for Sémillon...
Become a member or log in to continue reading
Go for gold with your wine knowledge.
The world just came together in Italy – and there’s never been a better time to explore its wines and beyond.
For a limited time, get 20% off all annual memberships by entering promo code GOLD2026 at checkout. Offer ends 12 March. Valid for new members only.
Member
$135
/year
Ideal for wine enthusiasts
- Access 290,077 wine reviews & 15,932 articles
- Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
Inner Circle
$249
/year
Ideal for collectors
- Access 290,077 wine reviews & 15,932 articles
- Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
- Early access to the latest wine reviews & articles, 48 hours in advance
Professional
$299
/year
For individual wine professionals
- Access 290,077 wine reviews & 15,932 articles
- Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
- Early access to the latest wine reviews & articles, 48 hours in advance
- Commercial use of up to 25 wine reviews & scores for marketing
Business
$399
/year
For companies in the wine trade
- Access 290,077 wine reviews & 15,932 articles
- Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
- Early access to the latest wine reviews & articles, 48 hours in advance
- Commercial use of up to 250 wine reviews & scores for marketing
More Tasting articles
Tasting articles
A flurry of wines to chase the winter blues away. Above, Ina and Heiko Bamberger, makers of one such wine...
Tasting articles
Impressions from the most recent Ten Years On tastings held by Bordeaux Index and Farr Vintners. See this report on...
Tasting articles
The first of three articles about this lauded vintage. See this guide to our comprehensive coverage of Bordeaux 2016. This...
Tasting articles
Convinced of Riesling’s inherent greatness, these California winemakers strive onwards despite the Sisyphean task of selling the wines. Above, a...
More from JancisRobinson.com
Book reviews
The enduring power of truly great writing. The New France A complete guide to contemporary French wine Andrew Jefford Published...
Don't quote me
A short month in London with just one sortie, to Barcelona for 48 hours. Nick took this picture of Jancis...
Nick on restaurants
The Australian chef who used to be in charge of Gordon Ramsay’s flagship restaurant in London now has one of...
Free for all
An overview of the 2016s tasted at 10 years old. See tasting articles on right-bank reds and sweet whites and...
Wines of the week
Two wines to conjure up spring. Flower Girl Albariño 2025 from €20.95, $25.65, £23.95 and Big Flower Cabernet Franc 2024...
Mission Blind Tasting
The power of scent, and how to harness it to figure out what’s in your glass. In last week’s MBT...
Don't quote me
Chris Howard contemplates the precarious balance of water, weather and vines in France’s Languedoc. Late summer sun beats down on...
Nick on restaurants
How restaurateurs and wine people work together over a meal. The phrase ‘wine dinner’ must strike anyone reading a wine...