Geography
France, Portugal, Israel, Tunisia, New World, especially the Hunter Valley region of Australia.

Viticulture
The finest Sémillon grapes are grown in extremely different types of terroir, Bordeaux in France and the Hunter Valley in Australia. Both regions, however, have humidity in common.

Varietal/Blend
A traditional Bordeaux variety often blended with Sauvignon Blanc. Famous for the part it plays in the production of Sauternes. Used mostly as a varietal in Australia.

Flavour & Character
The best dry, oaked varieties have flavours of nectarine and lemon. Sweeter versions, affected by ''noble rot,'' have delightful, waxy flavours of peaches, apricots and honey.

Vinification
Sémillon is sometimes aged in oak, but even if unoaked, it develops a delightful nutty flavour, particularly if allowed to age for several years.

Style
Produces two starkly different styles of dry and sweet wines.

Body, Dry/Sweet
Tends to produce full bodied wines with good acidity. Like Riesling, it is capable of rotting nobly to make luscious sweet wines.

Notes
The Hunter Valley region of Australia put Sémillon on the world wine map with its marvellous ''botrytized'' wood aged Sémillon wines.