A guide to saying it correctly

How to Pronounce Sémillon

Pronounce sémillon like 'say-mee-yohn' to order this popular white wine grape.

sémillon

SAY-mee-yohn

/ˈseɪ.mi.joʊn/  ·  SAY · mee · yohn

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Native US English  ·  Kokoro neural TTS  ·  0:01

It's also discussed in wine reviews and articles, often alongside Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay.

Where the word comes from

The grape variety is named after the village of Semelion in the Bordeaux region of France. Its name likely derives from the Latin 'semillum', a diminutive of 'semen' meaning seed.

Common ways people get it wrong

  • SEM-ih-lon The first syllable is stressed and sounds like 'say', not 'sem'. The final syllable is 'yohn', not 'lon'.
  • SEM-ee-yon The first syllable is stressed and sounds like 'say', not 'sem'. The middle syllable has a 'y' sound before the 'ohn'.

Frequently asked

How do you say sémillon wine?

You say it like 'SAY-mee-yohn'. It's a white wine grape known for its full body and potential for aging.

Is sémillon French?

Yes, sémillon is a major grape variety in the Bordeaux region of France. It's also grown in other parts of the world like Australia and Chile.

What does sémillon taste like?

Young sémillon often has notes of lemon, apple, and grass. Aged versions can develop richer flavors of honey, nuts, and toast.