Jago salutes McGuigan Semillon Blanc

McGuigan’s Semillon Blanc has been hailed a potential saviour style for the Australian wine industry.

Dan Jago, head of beers, wines and spirits for Tesco said at an Australian Vintage LIWF seminar yesterday that when his Australian buyer discovered the wine, he called Jago to extol its virtues as "something that could change people’s idea about Australia."

Further endorsing the wine, which will be listed exclusively in Tesco for the first six months of its UK release, Jago said: "It’s got the right flavours from a brand that people are beginning to recognise. What’s not to like about it?

Tesco has 11 Semillon wines at the moment, but none in this style."

Talking of the new wine style at the seminar, Neil McGuigan, interim CEO for Australian Vintage and the IWSC Winemaker of the Year last year, said that Semillon has a number of advantages.

McGuigan said: "It can be made at a lower alcohol level, it has a halo effect [in terms of quality], it has longevity, it’s a classic variety and it can be produced at a number of price points from entry level to super premium."

Jane Parkinson, 19.05.2010