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Winner Details

New World: Semillon & Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc 

2016 Gold: 1 Silver: 1 Bronze: 1 Commended: 2
2015 Gold: 2 Silver: 1 Bronze: 3 Commended: 1

You might think that this would be a good place to go looking for interesting, cheap Aussie wines. In fact, as last year, the pricing here was pretty high (no medal winners within a sniff of the £10 mark), and the top awards were dominated by South Africa, not Australia.

Nobody saw that one coming – probably not even the Saffers.

What we might have predicted was the fairly small turnout. It’s an issue every year. As though merchants don’t see this as a commercially viable style. Well, a look at the feedback below shows just how much our tasters clearly loved Sem/Sauv, so maybe the time has come for both producers and their importers to back the style a bit more.

FROM THE TASTING TEAMS

‘With the slight bitterness on the finish, the acid structures, the fruit profiles… They could stand up to a lot of spice.’ Sunaina Sethi, JKS Restaurants

‘We all know where the world is with Sauvignon Blanc, but Semillon is an underestimated grape variety. Semillon and Sauvignon is a blend of grapes that I really love. It’s more interesting than straight Sauvignon Blanc; the flavour profile, the drinkability, the weight and richness, then the greenness of Sauvignon Blanc cuts through and cleans up the palate.’ Christopher Delalonde MS, Medlar Restaurant

‘[Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc] is quite a niche category, but they presented quite good value for money. Everyone knows Sauvignon Blanc so they’re easy to sell.’ Bart Michalewicz, The Arts Club

‘I’d love to see more of this style coming through, they’re great for people becoming jaded with Sauvignon Blanc, and much more food friendly. The New World can do it – so do it!’ Angela Reddin, team leader

“The mid-priced wines represented very good value. And they’re very strong food wines.” Sunaina Sethi, JKS Restaurants


Award winners

Found 5 wines

New World: Semillon & Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc

Steenberg, Semillon 2012, Constantia, South Africa

Gold medal winner

The riper style of Steenberg's Semillon found favour with our judges.

'Honeycomb and citrus; acid, fruit and oak all very well integrated,' said Sunaina Sethi of JKS Restaurants, with team leader Angela Reddin adding: 'Long, waxy, fresh. A wonderful style,' and Vincent Pastorello of Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester saying: 'Generous winemaking with a full-bodied, high oak influence. This is textured, with good acids to back up the oak.'

£15.93 Bibendum

Strandveld, Adamastor 2012, Elim, South Africa

Silver medal winner

'Boom! Exactly what I want,' began JKS Restaurant's Sunaina Sethi, adding: 'Sophisticated, elegant, grassy, green fruit, length that keeps going, and subtle oak. Lovely for food matching.'
'Punching quite high,' commented Chistopher Delalonde MS of Medlar Restaurant.

£13.65 Enotria&Coe

Larry Cherubino, Pedestal, Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc 2015, Western Australia, Australia

Bronze medal winner

'Mineral with a lemony kick, bright Semillon character; fine, clean and pure,' said team leader Angela Reddin, with Medlar Restaurant's Christopher Delalonde MS adding: 'Complex, limey, green leafy notes and mineral, elegant and balanced with stylistic precision.'

£12.96 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Voyager Estate, Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon 2015, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

Bloemendal, Kanonberg, Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon 2014, Durbanville , South Africa

Commended medal winner