Sémillon is an iconic grape variety of the Bordeaux vineyards, renowned for its capacity to produce highly rich white wines, whether dry or sweet. It is particularly valued for its ability to develop noble rot (Botrytis cinerea), imparting complex aromas of honey, candied apricot and citrus fruit to the wines. Its presence is therefore predominant in prestigious appellations such as Sauternes and Barsac. In a blend, often alongside Sauvignon Blanc, it brings roundness and a silky texture to dry Bordeaux white wines, with notes of yellow-fleshed fruit and fresh almond, and a remarkable capacity for ageing.

Historically, Sémillon has always been a major player in Bordeaux white wines. At the beginning of the 19th century, William Franck, in his "Traité sur les vins du Médoc et les autres vins rouges et blancs du département de la Gironde" (1824), cited it as one of the essential grape varieties for good white wines (Source 3). Jullien, in 1832, confirmed its presence in the vineyards of Barsac, Preignac and Sauternes, alongside Sauvignon and Auba (the former name given to the Muscadelle grape) (Source 6). Its spread was such that it occupied a significant share of white plantings, notably in the Premières Côtes, before the arrival of phylloxera which decimated a large part of the vineyards and led to a restructuring (Source 6). Sémillon has managed to transcend the ages, notably thanks to its better resistance to powdery mildew than Sauvignon, contributing to its predominance after the crisis (Source 1). To discover an intriguing variation, explore the Sémillon rose grape variety and for distinct aromatic profiles, feel free to learn more about the Sauvignon gris grape variety.

Ampelographic profile

Characteristic	Description
Budburst	Medium, just before Sauvignon (Source 1).
Flowering	Medium.
Veraison	Medium to late.
Maturity	Late (second late period).
Vigour	Good vigour.
Growth habit	Semi-erect.
Downy mildew susceptibility	Fairly good resistance, better than Sauvignon (Source 1).
Powdery mildew susceptibility	Susceptible to powdery mildew (Source 1).
Botrytis susceptibility	Very susceptible to noble rot, but resistant to grey rot.
Black rot susceptibility	Susceptible.
Aromatic profile	Honey, candied apricot, citrus fruit, exotic fruit, yellow-fleshed fruit, fresh almond, wax.
Winemaking potential	Full and round dry wines, complex sweet wines with great ageing potential. Excellent capacity for ageing.

At Château Cazebonne, we celebrate the typicity of Sémillon, notably through our 100% Sémillon cuvée "Comme un goût de Sémillon" (Source 2). Our commitment to replanting ancient varieties and perpetuating the tradition of the forgotten grape varieties of Bordeaux is a reflection of our passion for our viticultural heritage. This pioneering work is made possible thanks to the unwavering support of the many enthusiasts who have embraced our wines and share our vision. To discover the history of the great wines of Bordeaux in more detail, do not hesitate to download the digital version of the book "Bordeaux, une histoire de cépages". To test your knowledge, take part in our oenological quizzes, and to explore our cuvées, including our pure Sémillon, visit our online shop.