Semillon B
Name of the variety in France
Semillon
Origin
This variety is originally from the Bordeaux vineyards.
Synonyms
There is no officially recognized synonym in France nor in the other countries of the European Union, for this variety.
Legal information
In France, Semillon is officially listed in the "Catalogue of vine varieties" on the A list and classified. This variety is also listed in the catalogues of other Member States of the European Union: Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Hungary, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain.
Use
Wine and spirits grape variety.
Evolution of cultivated areas in France
1958 1968 1979 1988 1998 2008 2018
ha 35993 34129 23340 17573 14969 12535 10287
Descriptive elements
The identification is based on:
- the tip of the young shoot with a high density of prostrate hairs,
- the green young leaves with bronze spots,
- the light to medium green adult leaves, with five lobes, an open or slightly open petiole sinus, short teeth compared to their width at the base with straight or convex sides, a weak or very weak coloration of veins, a slightly twisted leaf blade, very regularly blistered, and on the lower side of the leaves, a low density of prostrate hairs,
- the round-shaped berries.
Genetic profile
Microsatellite VVS2 VVMD5 VVMD7 VVMD27 VRZAG62 VRZAG79 VVMD25 VVMD28 VVMD32
Allel 1 131 234 239 172 188 248 240 233 239
Allel 2 131 236 257 182 194 252 248 243 271
Phenology
Bud burst: 5 days after Chasselas.
Grape maturity: mid-season, 2 weeks and a half after Chasselas.
Suitability for cultivation and agronomic production
Semillon has moderate vigor and is rather productive. This variety can be pruned moderately long or short. It reacts particularly to the agronomic fertility of the soil. The yields vary enormously depending on the terroirs. Semillon seems well adapted to gravelly or clay-limestone soils.
Susceptibility to diseases and pests
Semillon is sensitive to grey rot, black rot (on young leaves), to mites and vine leafhoppers. On the other hand, it is not very susceptible to powdery mildew and eutypa dieback.
Technological potentiality
The bunches are medium and the berries are large in size. Semillon, under favorable growing conditions, with adult vines and managed yields, produces full-bodied great quality dry white wines, with moderate to low acidity. These wines can be vinified in barrels and are suitable for ageing. Semillon also produces great white liqueur wines.
Clonal selection in France
The seven certified Semillon clones carry the numbers 173, 299, 315, 380, 908, 909 and 910. Two conservatories of more than 130 clones in total have been planted in the Bordeaux wine-growing region in 1997 and 2011.
Bibliographic references
- Catalogue des variétés et clones de vigne cultivés en France. Collectif, 2007, Ed. IFV, Le Grau-du-Roi, France.
- Documentary collections of the Centre de Ressources Biologiques de la Vigne de Vassal-Montpellier, INRAE - Institut Agro | Montpellier, Marseillan, France.
- Dictionnaire encyclopédique des cépages et de leurs synonymes. P. Galet, 2015, Ed. Libre&Solidaire, France.
- Traité général de viticulture, Ampélographie. P. Viala and V. Vermorel, 1901-1909, Ed. Masson, Paris, France.
Description of clones certified in France
Identity and availability Agronomic data Technological data Autres informations
Clone no. Marque Origin Selection Year of
certification
Agronomic
references
Surface area used
for propagation (year)
Fertility Production
level
Bunch
weight
Vigor Berry
size
Susceptibility
to grey rot
Sugar
level
Color
potential
Titrable
acidity
Tannic
structure
Aromatic
intensity
Oenological
suitability
New General
note
Agro-tecnic
note
Note
agronomique
Agronomic
note
Links
173 Gironde ENTAV 1972 Bordelais 4.29 ha medium medium medium medium to high balanced dry and semi-sweet wines regular production clone
299 Gironde ENTAV 1973 Bordelais 1.91 ha medium to high medium medium medium representative wines of the variety more compact bunches
315 Gironde INRA 1973 Bordelais 5.91 ha medium medium medium medium representative wines of the variety
380 Gironde ENTAV 1975 Bordelais 0.10 ha high high medium medium representative wines of the variety
908 Gironde INRA 1987 Bordelais 1.14 ha medium medium to high medium medium representative wines of the variety
909 Gironde INRA 1987 Bordelais 2.55 ha medium medium medium high representative wines of the variety
910 Dordogne INRA 1987 Bordelais 1.35 ha medium medium medium medium to high representative wines of the variety