The fascinating duality of Sémillon
An extraordinarily versatile grape variety, Sémillon is a true oenological treasure capable of expressing itself in diametrically opposed styles. The Tannico collection celebrates this extraordinary white grape variety which, on the one hand, is the undisputed star of the legendary sweet wines of Sauternes and Barsac, and on the other, in its dry version, gives life to the Australian whites of the Hunter Valley, famous for their exceptional longevity.
From Bordeaux to Australia: the territories of choice
In Bordeaux, the historic cradle of the grape variety, Sémillon finds its maximum expression in the appellations of Sauternes and Barsac, where botrytis cinerea (noble rot) transforms the grapes into concentrates of sugar and aromas, giving life to sweet wines of extraordinary complexity and longevity. In the Entre-Deux-Mers area, on the other hand, it contributes to the creation of fresh and elegant dry whites, always blended with Sauvignon Blanc and sometimes Muscadelle. In Australia's Hunter Valley, Sémillon has found a second home, where it is vinified in purity in a dry version, producing wines that are initially lean and citrusy but, with aging, develop extraordinary aromatic complexity with notes of honey, toast, and candied citrus, maintaining surprising freshness even after decades.
From honey to beeswax: a distinctive aromatic profile
The Tannico selection explores the intriguing organoleptic profile of Sémillon, which in dry Bordeaux blends brings notes of lemon, ripe pear, and white flowers, along with a soft and round texture that perfectly balances the acidity and liveliness of Sauvignon Blanc. With aging, these wines develop fascinating hints of beeswax, acacia honey, and dried fruit. In sweet versions, Sémillon affected by botrytis reveals an aromatic explosion of candied apricot, chestnut honey, saffron, and vanilla, supported by extraordinary concentration and acidity that ensures balance and longevity. Vinification, both in steel and in barriques, helps to enhance the different facets of this chameleonic grape variety.
Bordeaux masters: between tradition and innovation
From the elegant interpretations of Château Bonnet to the more complex and structured blends of Domaines Barons de Rothschild, which explore the potential of the grape variety through aging in wood, our selection brings together producers who have been able to bring out the best characteristics of this fascinating grape variety. Versatile wines at the table, perfect with elaborate fish dishes, soft cheeses, and white meats in sauce, they are an excellent introduction to one of the most underrated and fascinating white grape varieties on the world wine scene.
