While Burgundy has its Chardonnay and Germany its Riesling, the white wines of the Premières Côtes de Bordeaux region possess their own treasure: Sémillon.
Often associated with great sweet wines, this historic grape variety reveals its full versatility in our wines and establishes itself as the essential signature of our three white wines: dry, sweet and sparkling Bordeaux.
It brings a subtle roundness and notes of white fruit to dry wines, while lending a vibrant creaminess to sweet wines. When used to make crémant, it surprises with its fine freshness and delicately effervescent texture. It is this incredible ability to adapt that makes Sémillon the soul and pride of our terroir.
Here are three emblematic areas that masterfully illustrate this renewal:
1 – Modern dry white: taut and vibrant
Cuvée “ÉnigmatiQ Sémillon” from Château Grand Peyruchet (AOC Bordeaux dry white)
To discover Sémillon in a completely new light, head to this limited-production Bordeaux Blanc AOC. The style: A 100% organic Sémillon, aged in oak casks.
On the palate: Far from clichés, this is the model of a great contemporary dry white wine: taut, vibrant, and crowned by a superb saline finish.
2 – The legendary sweet wine: deep and complex
Château du Cros (AOC Loupiac).
Here, Sémillon remains the undisputed king of sweet wines, and Château du Cros is its historical benchmark. The secret: A legendary plot of century-old vines makes up 95% of this great wine.
On the palate: The old vines give the grape variety exceptional depth and aromatic complexity, enhanced by captivating notes of honey and saffron.
3 – Sparkling wines with character: fresh and brioche-like
Crémant de Bordeaux from Château de Garbes (AOC Crémant de Bordeaux)
A historic estate proves that Sémillon can also celebrate in sparkling form. The secret: A 100% Sémillon brut white crémant, patiently aged on lees in the estate’s underground limestone cellars.
On the palate: Superb complexity unfolds with notes of fresh almond, brioche, and white flowers.
