Top 100 wines of Tasmanie - Page 2
Discover the top 100 best wines of Tasmanie as well as the best winemakers in the region. Explore the varietals of the wines that are popular of Tasmanie and the best vintages to taste in this region.
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.
Pinot Gris is a grey grape variety mutated from Pinot Noir. It has its origins in Burgundy, where it is called pinot-beurot in reference to the colour of the grey robes worn by the monks of the region. Established in Alsace since the 17th century, pinot gris was called tokay until 2007. It is made up of bunches of small berries that vary in colour from pink to blue-grey. It is particularly well suited to the continental climate because it is resistant to the cold in winter and to spring frosts. This variety also likes dry limestone soils with plenty of sunshine in the summer. Pinot Gris is well suited to late harvesting or to the selection of noble grapes, depending on the year and the concentration of sugars in the berries. Pinot Gris wines are distinguished by their aromatic complexity of white fruits, mushrooms, honey, vanilla, cinnamon, etc., and their great finesse. In the Loire Valley, pinot gris is used in the Coteaux-d'Ancenis appellations. It gives dry or sweet wines with pear and peach aromas.
wines from the region of Tasmanie go well with generally quite well with dishes of beef, veal or game (deer, venison) such as recipes of kafta bil saniyeh (lebanese dish), festive chinese fondue or rabbit stew the old fashioned way.