De Bortoli Noble One 2008

Winery: De Bortoli

Varietal: Semillon

The Semillon varietal grape has been planted and cultivated in several countries throughout Europe and the New World for a considerable length of time, and was at one point thought to be the most widely planted grape in the world. Indeed, for a period in the 19th century, it made up for over ninety percent of South Africa's wine industry, and was equally prodigious in Australia and elsewhere. Today, its number may have dropped, but it remains and strong and popular grape varietal, loved by wineries for the fact it is hardy and reliable. The golden colored grapes of the Semillon vine are possibly most appreciated when made into various French wines, where they are often aged in oak, a wood it has a particular affinity for.

Country: Australia

Despite much of Australia being covered by dry, arid deserts and bushland, the southern regions of the country and islands such as Tasmania have proved to be ideal for vineyard cultivation and wine production. The fertile soils and brisk oceanic breezes, coupled with the blazing Australian sunshine allow the grapes to grow to full ripeness before a late harvest, resulting in hugely flavorful wines which appeal to a wide international audience. Combine this with the experimental and daring approach Australian wineries have in regards to wine production, and it becomes clear why Australia has relatively quickly become something of a world leader when it come to exporting their produce to Europe and America. The Shiraz and Chardonnay grape varietals have produced the most successful and broadly appreciated results over the decades, however, in more recent years wineries have begun experimenting with a much wider range of grape varietals, demonstrating how Australian wineries are continuing to adapt and develop alongside international palates.