This thin-skinned grape ripens early, and is used mostly in Bordeaux, France. It is the key ingredient in Sauternes. When alone, it has a grassy, "figgy" flavor, but it is often blended with Sauvignon Blanc.

As of 1998 there were 30,000 acres of Semillon planted in Bordeaux. It is also grown in Australia and California, and while at one time it was the most planted white grape anywhere, it has fallen out of fashion. Semillon is a very easy vine to grow.

Semillon was brought to Australia in the early 1800s - it is currently well known there in the Hunter Valley.

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