While Tasmania may instantly provoke images of deranged, marsupial cartoon characters, this small island off the south coast of Australia is gaining a surprising reputation as an international wine region.
The state may only contribute 0.1% towards Australia’s exported production, but the potential of Tasmania’s cool climate vineyards to create wines unlike anywhere else in the country has not gone unnoticed – leading to a boom in Tasmania wine tasting tours. Global warming has actually come to the aid of Tasmania’s wine growing industry, allowing most grapes to ripen fully and produce more vibrant wines – which has attracted some big-name producers to spend millions investing in the area.
At Wine Paths, our local expert in Australia can organise exclusive Tasmania wine tasting tours, which can include elaborate vineyard visits, luxury accommodations, fine dining experiences and some unique activities.All of private tours can be customised to meet your specific requirements, ensuring every detail is taken care of so that you can relax and enjoy the matter at hand – sampling rare wines in a unique setting.
Only 1% of Australia’s vineyards are spread across Tasmania – it’s the only state where demand outweighs supply – with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc among the most planted styles than can be sampled during a typical Tasmania wine tasting. The region’s cool climate wines have been turning international heads, while the area is also a preferred location for producing sparkling wines; some mainland wine makers have facilities on the island to produce base cuvee before transporting it across to their own wineries.
When it comes to wine tasting, Tasmania has around 160 licenced wine makers with 90 cellar door outlets. A Tasmania wine tasting tour will usually involve exploring vineyards accompanied by a professional guide before sampling a variety of vintages often paired with local cuisine.
There are seven distinct wine growing sub regions on the island:
The Tamar Valley is the oldest and most import wine district, which is home to wineries that veer from the rural to the sophisticated – producing a range of sparkling wines, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling to sample during a Tasmania wine tasting experience.
Pipers River is Tasmania’s other most well-established wine region and, with a climate closely related to Champagne in France, has a reputation for producing Australia’s finest sparkling wines – with producers like Jansz based in the area.
The East Coast wine region is a must travel destination for Tasmania wine tasting since it produces some of the state’s finest wines, especially its highly regarded Pinot Noir. It has an established wine trail that follows the coast, which is also known for its gourmet cuisine.
By contrast, the North West region is home to the island’s newest vineyards and only a few pioneering producers, which is similar to Coal River where a small number of wine makers are successfully experimenting with Cabernet Sauvignon styles.
Located in the countryside, north of Hobart, Derwent Valley is dominated by a small number of large commercial producers making still and sparkling wine from key varieties including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling.
Finally, the southern region around Huon Valley is a source of complex, high quality Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in particular, although the area is better known for its apple orchards than the best wine tasting Tasmania has to offer. The island is also wilderness paradise with national parks and reserves that are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites of unparalleled beauty and some of the world’s most unusual animals, including the Tasmanian devil himself!
Contact Wine Paths for more inspirational ideas before planning a Tasmania wine tasting tour for an experience unlike any other.
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