Wine of the Day for January 11, 2010
Sémillon
Pronounce Sémillon
I wanted to start Monday off with this beautiful golden grape and perhaps its golden beauty will warm up our winter chills (and bring sunshine to our disappointment in the Green Bay Packer loss last night).
Originating in Bordeaux, this classic varietal and beautiful grape is susceptible to noble rot and is famous for the production of the sweet wine Sauterne. Sémillon wines can be blended with Sauvignon Blanc (which may be referred to as Meritage) producing a refreshing crisp wine with citrus and hints of honey or you may find this style blended with Chardonnay (referred to as SemChard) as to produce a dry wine rich with oak, butter and honey.
You will find this varietal grown in Bordeaux, California, Australia (where it is produced into luscious dry wines). The sweeter version of this wine can age well and develop into a full-bodied, highly aromatic, silky wine.
Other aromas and flavors in addition to the honey that you may find with this wine are fig, apple and citrus. Pair the drier style with goat cheese or lighter meals such as sweet and sour, or even chilled prawns and oysters.
Have a terrific week and I hope to see you tomorrow!
Chenin Blanc, considered a classic wine, originated in the Loire region of France, but is widely planted all over the world, and is the dominant white grape of South Africa, but is known in South Africa as Steen. Similarly, before Chardonnay took over as the most widely planted white grape in California a few decades ago, Chenin Blanc reigned. 
Syrah’s origin is likely the Rhône Valley in France, and is today widely grown in many premium wine regions including one of my favorites, California. Syrah and Shiraz are the same grape, Syrah more commonly referred to in America and Europe, and Shiraz in Australia and South Africa. 
