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5 wines to make you fall in love with North Tassie

Read time 5 Mins

Posted 12 Apr 2022

By
Patrick Boxall

From sparkling to pinot, these wines prove why North Tassie is one of the world's best wine regions.

There's no doubt that Tasmania punches well above its weight when it comes to wine. The tiny island state has made a name for itself globally, particularly when it comes to sparkling, but Northern Tasmania is flying the flag for world-class wines in all kinds of styles. It doesn't matter whether you're a diehard pinot noir enthusiast or a lover of crisp whites; in North Tassie, you're bound to find a super delicious example of your favourite kind of wine and we've rounded up a few of the best below.

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1. A by Arras Premium Cuvee NV

If there's one Australian sparkling producer you should have on your radar, it's House of Arras. Winemaker Ed Carr has been recognised as one of the world's most talented bubble wranglers and the A by Arras label is an exceptional entry-level wine for anyone looking to enjoy his genius at a super accessible price point. After all, this is a guy who holds the honour of being the first non-Champagne winemaker to be awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championships, so you better believe his wines are an experience and a half. The Premium Cuveee NV is the perfect sparkling for any celebration, but given its incredible value, you won't need to wait for a celebration to pop a bottle.

2. Arras Grand Vintage

Take things up a notch with this premium bubbly from Ed Carr, the aforementioned genius at House of Arras. Based in Bay of Fires, House of Arras is one of northern Tassie's most well-known producers and has also found fans across the wine world, with this Grand Vintage sparkling being a great example of why. Expect mouth-watering aromas of lemon and pear alongside those toasty, biscuity notes we've come to expect from a world-class sparkling. This is up there with the top Champagne houses, irrefutable proof of just how special northern Tasmania's vineyards are, particularly when their grapes are in the hands of a sparkling master like Carr.

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3. Tamar Ridge Riesling

There are more strings to Northern Tassie's bow than the sparkling kind. Take this riesling, for example, from the talented folk at Tamar Ridge. They may claim pinot noir as their house speciality, but they also happen to be white-wine wizards, with their cool-climate riesling casting a crisp spell on anyone lucky enough to try it. All the hallmarks of quality riesling are here; zesty lemon, fresh lime and a lively acidity that bodes well for both cellaring and enjoying now. Our advice? Save a few bottles for the future and enjoy the others with seafood or spicy Asian dishes. Chicken kung pao, anyone?

4. Pipers Brook Pinot Gris

The Tamar Valley, which is the beating heart of Northern Tasmania's wine world, benefits from a unique maritime climate that allows for consistent ripening conditions. In other words, you'll struggle to find a better place to grow grapes. Not convinced? Well, you'll have zero doubts once you've tried this pinot gris from Pipers Brook. It's a mega refreshing white wine that's typical of the region, but it also underwent a short period of skin contact – a method more commonly used in red-wine production – which makes for a really rich, complex style of wine. With Kiwi winemaker Luke Whittle at the helm, Pipers Brook has proven itself to be one of Tasmania's most loved and recognisable brands, and with wines like this gris complementing the more traditional Tasmanian range of sparkling and pinot noir, it's really no wonder why.

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5. Josef Chromy Pepik Pinot Noir

No list of Northern Tassie wines is complete without a mention of both pinot noir and Josef Chromy, and fortunately this wine covers both. Chromy is a legend of the Tasmanian wine industry, having founded several iconic wineries including Bay of Fires and Jansz, and he can still be found conducting daily inspections of his vineyards and winery despite being in his nineties. The Pepik is Chromy's entry-level pinot noir, though it's still packed full of everything we love about Northern Tassie pinot; a touch of spice, oodles of red-fruit flavour and a wonderfully crunchy acidity that'll have you returning for a second sip every single time. It begs the question: if this is entry level, how good can Northern Tassie pinot noir get? Perhaps it's time to find out.
Heading to North Tassie, or looking for a Tasmanian wine to enjoy at home? Check out our Northern Tasmania Vine Guide for all the ideas and inspiration needed to plan the ultimate North Tassie trip (or themed staycation).
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Authour image
Patrick BoxallPatrick Boxall is a wine-loving writer based in Melbourne. His first word was 'No', and he has spent the remainder of his life attempting to remedy this poor attitude.
Tags
Vine GuideRieslingPinot GrisWineTasmaniaSparklingWine RegionsTravelAustralian regionPinot Noir
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