🍇 Sémillon

Navigating the Page

Each grape page is organised into sections that you can access quickly:

• Table of Contents — Click any link at the top to jump directly to that section
• ← Back button — Returns you to the Grape Encyclopaedia with your filters preserved
• ↑ Back to top — Appears when you scroll down; click to return to the top
• Breadcrumbs — Shows your location (Home → Grape Encyclopaedia → Grape Name)

Wine Colour

This section shows the typical appearance of wines made from this grape:

• Colour swatches — Visual examples from young to aged expressions
• Intensity — How deep or pale the colour typically appears
• Clarity — Whether wines are typically clear, hazy, or have sediment
• Viscosity — The "legs" or "tears" you see on the glass

Characteristics

Key structural elements that define the wine:

• Acidity — How tart or fresh the wine tastes (low to high)
• Body — The weight and texture in your mouth (light to full)
• Alcohol — Typical alcohol range, sometimes with regional variations
• Sweetness — Dry, off-dry, or sweet (where applicable)

Tannins (Red Wines)

For red wines, this section describes the tannin profile:

• Level — Low, medium, or high tannin content
• Texture — Velvety, silky, grippy, chalky, or sandy
• Location — Where you feel them (front teeth, gums, cheeks, back of mouth)
• Ageing potential — How tannins evolve over time

Aroma and Flavour Profile

Aromas (nose) and flavours (palate) are listed separately:

• The Nose — What you smell before tasting
• The Palate — What you taste and feel in your mouth
• Le Nez numbers — References like [M15] correspond to Le Nez du Vin aroma kit bottles (M = Masterkit, O = Oak, F = Faults)

Viticulture

Growing conditions this grape prefers:

• Climate — Cool, moderate, or warm climate preferences
• Soil — Preferred soil types (limestone, clay, gravel, etc.)
• Vigour — How vigorously the vine grows
• Challenges — Common growing difficulties (frost, rot, disease)

Notable Regions

Key wine regions where this grape excels:

• Map thumbnails — Small preview maps for each region (where available)
• Click to expand — Opens a larger interactive map
• Wine region boundaries — Highlighted in wine-red where data is available
• Zoom and pan — Explore the map interactively
• Reset View — Returns to the original zoom level

Old World vs New World

Compares how the grape is expressed in different regions:

• Old World — Traditional European expressions (France, Italy, Spain, etc.)
• New World — Modern expressions (Australia, USA, Chile, etc.)
• Differences in style, ripeness, oak use, and flavour profiles

Similar Grapes

Grapes that are often confused with this variety in blind tasting:

• Why confused — What characteristics they share
• How to distinguish — Key differences to look for

Blind Tasting Tips

Practical guidance for identifying this grape when tasting blind:

• Key markers to look for
• Common pitfalls and look-alikes
• Diagnostic characteristics that set it apart

Food Pairings

Suggested foods that complement wines from this grape:

• Vegan/Vegetarian — Plant-based options listed first, marked (ve) for vegan
• Classic pairings — Traditional meat and seafood matches