This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
News
Semillon is the ‘unicorn’ wine exciting somms
Hunter Valley Semillons are the “unicorn wines” that are getting American sommeliers hot under the collar with excitement according to one local producer.
Semillon’s cradle: the Hunter Valley
Speaking to db at a gathering of New South Wales winemakers in Sydney, Chris Tyrrell, a fifth generation family member of the Tyrell’s Wines dynasty, said:
“It’s humbling to be able to dedicate my work to this grape. I’m fanatical about making this one unique style and taking it to the world.
“Semillons are the unicorn wines that American sommeliers are getting excited about. It’s the hot grape variety in the US at the moment – people are finally starting to realise that you have to have it on your wine list.
“We’re back in the US with strong sales after eight years away from the market. Our grapes are on their own roots and you get such texture and complexity from them.
“Semillons age so well – you can’t kill them. It’s a very forgiving variety so you can do pretty radical things with it if you want to – it’s a great plaything.”
Australian wine writer Mike Bennie believes the beauty of Hunter Valley Semillon is its uniqueness to Australia.
“The Australian wine industry has hung its hat on 15% reds that don’t have any relevance to our climate and the fact that it’s hot and sunny 10 months of the year.
“In Hunter Semillon we have our own unique style that we can hang our hat on. And it ages so well – we should be proud to show it off,” he said.
I never tried the “Unicorn ” Semillon . As a winemaker I will be interested to do it ! I just want to rem!ind you taht Yquem is almost 100% semillion without any kind of unicorn . I am personally making a wine which has a blend of 50 % Semillion and considered as one of the best Bordeaux white with a ratio quality /price unbeatable .;
If as you said the american sommeliers are so fanatic of the “unnicorn ” . I am ready for any blind contest and interested to see what happen !
My wine is a blend of 50% Semillion , 40 % sauvignon and 10 % muscadelle
I am ready anytime you want – Up to you . Of course , I am comming from Bordeaux and not from any exotic country which are always exciting for journalist , but may be with a little bit of immaginatio .
www.chateauhostens-picant.fr
Well if the wine that Yves is putting into one corner of the ring is of the style of Yquem then it is fighting in a far different weight category to our champion, Tyrrells Vat 1? Is Yves wine a dessert wine or a dry white style?
My dear old friend Dennis Dubourdieu made perhaps some of the best sweet and also dry wines of the region for which I was the agent. But none surpassed my favourite white wine, Tyrrells Vat 1 Semillon! I would look forward to the contest! Ring the bell! My money is on Chris Tyrrell with his Vat 1 Semillon!