What Makes Tasmanian Wine Special
The Tasmanian wine industry is quite young in the global sense but the region has evidence that wine was produced here as early as 1821 on the outskirt of Hobart in New Town. The State has now established multiple sub regions producing award winning, cool climate wine that end up in Fine Dining restaurants all over the world.
Tasmania is the most southern wine growing region of Australia. The island state is considered to be a cool climate. It has the potential to produce amazing wines that have racy acid in the white wine and elegance and balance in the red wines. Like all major wine growing areas, Tasmania has multiple sub-regions with diverse micro climates, soil conditions and what we in the wine world call 'Terroir', making each vineyard unique and special.
The sunny north facing slopes and warmth trapping valleys close to the ocean make for great sites for vineyards.
Grape Varieties Overview
The grape varieties that are most suited to the cool climates of Tasmania are light bodied red grape varieties like Pinot Noir and Aromatic white varieties. Other red varieties that are grown here are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Small experimental pockets of Shiraz, Pinot Meunier, Gamay and Tempranillo are also making an appearance in the Tasmanian vineyards.
Chardonnay grapes account for over fifty percent of the white grapes grown in Tasmania. The Island state also grows white varieties like Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and a small percentage of Gewurztraminer, Schonburger, and Semillon.
Tasmania is also fast becoming a region that produces exceptional quality sparkling wines. These sparkling wines are generally produced from a combination of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, hence being the dominant grape varieties grown in the state. The great Australian Sparkling Burgundy, or Sparkling red wine, has also started to be made in the state.
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