News

BEST AUSTRALIAN WHITE WINE NAMED...AND IT ISN'T SAUVIGNON BLANC

Sauvignon Blanc may outsell Semillon 49 bottles to one, but it's the little known Semillon that has staked its claim for Australia's top white on the global stage in London.*

“It’s an amazing achievement for this little Aussie wine,” said McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Chief Winemaker Phil Ryan. “This international recognition shows what a great wine style we’ve got right on our doorstep.”

In wine circles, one of winemaking’s perfect partnerships is known to be Semillon grown in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales. Will Semillon – one of Australia’s original white wines and an unsung hero of the Australian wine industry – be Australia’s next great popular wine style?

While the global success story that is Sauvignon Blanc continues to build momentum and has firmly planted New Zealand on the world stage, the reason for its success is largely due to its crisp, refreshing style. The highly sought after taste profile that has propelled Sauvignon Blanc to its current status as the white wine of choice among consumers is displayed at its finest in Semillon. A crisp, refreshing wine, Semillon is also somewhat of a chameleon thanks to its rare ability to age.

“Semillon is a truly remarkable wine style,” says Phil. “While young, the wine will be all about fresh and lively citrus flavours, but with age it will develop classic bottle-aged characters of honey and toast. Semillons are designed to age gracefully over a long period of time – how many other white wines offer that opportunity?”

The success of Hunter Valley winery McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant and its trophy winning wine at the International Wine Challenge will certainly carry considerable weight in endorsing both the prestige and promise of Hunter Valley Semillon.

With over 9000 wines entered every year, the International Wine Challenge is the largest and most prestigious wine contest in the world. After claiming a gold medal earlier in the year, the 2005 McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Cellar Release Elizabeth Semillon progressed to the trophy stage. In the words of the International Wine Challenge Co-Chairman, Charles Metcalfe: “The final trophy stage recognises true excellence and helps consumers identify at a glance some of the world’s best wines.”

Trophy, 2010 International Wine Challenge

Gold, 2010 International Wine Challenge

Double Gold, 2009 Tri Nations Wine Challenge, Class 5

2005 McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Cellar Aged Elizabeth Semillon is currently available at retailers across the country.

* AC Nielsen, Total Bottled White Wine MAT 31/7/2010