Semillon and Verdelho are the two white grapes that have found a home in the Hunter Valley. Semillon is the character piece in this wine, the serious element with lemon and hay with a touch of toastiness, with Verdelho being the ying to the Semillon yang, more fun and vibrant with a nice splash of citrus and party-like acidity.

Origin: Probably Bordeaux, in Eastern France. But now found most places. Mainly Grown In: Bordeaux but locally - Hunter Valley, Margaret River and the Riverland. Key Facts: Semillon is a noble grape on it's own, but if you had to find a fault with it, it would be that it can be TOO delicate, a little too fine and nuanced... too subtle. Sure, it has killer acidity and ages like nothing else, but sometimes it needs a bit of extra flesh and fruit. That's why it excels in blends. The fruit spectrum is moderately tropical, with grassy overtones and plenty of zing. Look out for kiwifruit, green apple and a touch of herbal flavours. In France this blend is often lightly oaked, which certainly boosts the complexity of the wine, but in Australia the 'purer' version seems to be preferred. Fun Fact: These two varieties made up part of one of Australia's historically famous white wines - the Houghton's 'Classic Dry White'. Vinous nostalgia.