Tasmania is the island state of the island continent and the southernmost state of Australia. It Lies 240 kilometres (150 miles) off the coast of Victoria">Victoria, across Bass Strait - a relatively shallow channel that separates the Great Australian Bight from the Tasman Sea. As in the Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula, across Bass Strait in Victoria, the main grape varieties are Pinot noir and Chardonnay, and all three regions are renowned for their Sparkling wines. In general, however, Tasmania's choice of grape varieties is closer to New Zealand's than Australia's, reflecting the cool maritime Climate.
Sauvignon Blanc is increasing year on year, as are Riesling and Pinot Gris. Tasmania's red varieties, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and Merlot, remain essentially static, lagging far behind the others. Virtually no Shiraz is grown, which further accentuates the differences between Tasmania and the rest of Australia. Situated between the southern latitudes of 40 and 44 degrees (the roaring forties), Tasmania lies in a vast expanse of ocean that stretches for several thousand kilometres and is only briefly interrupted to the east by the islands of New Zealand.
