Made in the traditional 'Methode Champenoise', the wine spends time on lees before 'disgorging' and enrichment with a reserve wine.
"Elegant salmon colour, fresh chardonnay fruit lift, developed toasty complex flavours, smooth and creamy with a clean acid finish, the pinot adding length and roundness".
Bron: Website Meadowbank Estate
Tasmania is classified as a single Geographical Indication (GI). The state can be broadly split into Northern, Eastern and Southern regions but it is more common to refer to seven distinctive sub-regions.
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling are the three grape varieties which are found with variations in style across the whole state and tend to be regarded as the wines with the highest quality.
Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer are the other major white varieties grown across the state. The other red grape varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot and tend to grow best in the Tamar Valley, East Coast, Coal River Valley and the Derwent Valley.
1. North West
One of the coolest and most marginal areas of the state to grow wine grapes. The growing season here generally starts later than the rest of Tasmania and thus later than the rest of Australia.
The North West is home to a number of small, lifestyle or family-oriented wine producers. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are the dominant grape varieties while less mainstream varieties such as Shoenberger and Muller Thurgau also make an appearance.
Uncommonly picturesque and filled with rolling green pastureland, the region has great tourism potential with many self-drive visitors coming into Devonport on the Spirit of Tasmania.
Major producers include Lake Barrington, Wilmot Hills and Barringwood Park.
2. Tamar Valley
Along the gentle slopes of the Tamar River lie many beautifully situated vineyards. Close to Launceston and popular with tourists, this scenic region is home to vineyards large and small. Several quality restaurants attached to wineries add to the appeal of this area to food and wine tourists and locals alike.
Many varieties do well here with the broad and winding river providing protection against frost damage. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc are the standouts while varieties like Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are able to ripen with consistency.
The Tamar Valley produces about 40% of Tasmania's wine.
Major producers include Tamar Ridge, Rosevears Estate, St.Matthias, Iron Pot Bay, Moores Hill and Holm Oak. Pipers Brook Vineyard also has a presence here with its Ninth Island Vineyard, Strathlynn restuarant and cellar door.
3. Pipers River
The Pipers River region was largely pioneered by Andrew Pirie when he established Pipers Brook Vineyard in 1974. It remains one of the most important viticultural regions in the state in terms of both output and quality.
Many of the states' premium sparkling wines originate in this area and it is also particularly suited to the aromtic white varieties.
The climate is cooler than many areas of the state with a Mean January Temperature (MJT) of around 16.5 degrees celcius and 1600 sunshine hours October through to April.
The Pipers River region produces about 30% of Tasmania's wine.
Major producers include Pipers Brook Vineyard, Jansz, Clover Hill, Dalrymple Vineyards and Bay of Fires.
4. East Coast
The East Coast of Tasmania is home to some of the states best wines. While vineyards are generally small, quality remains high. Freycinet Vineyard is considered by some commentators to supply the states' most consistent and exciting Pinot Noir.
The East coast offers a higher Growing Degree Days (GDD) index than other viticultural areas of the state although careful site selection is an important factor for success.
Combined with fresh seafood, white sandy beaches and a warmer year round climate than most of Tasmania, the East Coast lifestyle is perfectly suited to enjoying the wine tourism experience.
Major producers include Freycinet, Apsley Gorge, Spring Vale, Bream Creek and Craigie Knowe.
5. Coal River Valley
The Coal River Valley is becoming one of the states most important wine-producing regions. Major irrigation projects have transformed this area into a thriving agricultural and viticultural haven where some of the states best winemakers are making sought after wines.
Centred around the historic village of Richmond which is a significant tourist attraction, many well established producers are situated here while newly developed vineyards are contributing to the dynamic nature of the area.
Restaurant and cellar door facilities here are excellent and provide an important part of the Southern Wine Route.
The Coal River Valley produces about 18% of Tasmania's wine.
Major producers include Meadowbank Estate, Frogmore Creek, Wellington, Craigow, Domaine A and Tolpuddle.
6. Derwent Valley
Clustered around the Hobart suburbs of Berriedale and Granton, the Derwent Valley vineyards are ideally suited for grape growing. Two major producers dominate this area with Moorilla Estate providing a range of ultramodern facilities inlcuding 5-star accommodation, restaurant, micro-brewery and cellar door and Stefano Lubiana producing some of Tasmania's best Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, sparkling wines and Merlot.
The Derwent Valley produces about 7% of Tasmania's wine.
7. Southern
South of Hobart lies a scattering of mainly small vineyards producing some excellent wine. Quality here is very dependant on the vintage and vineyards with good sun exposure and favourable meso-climates do best.
Home Hill at Ranelagh provides a focus for the food and wine fan with an excellent restaurant and cellar door. The scenery in this region is breathtaking and some cellar door visits take you along heavily forested and winding mountain roads.
Major producers include Panorama, Hartview, Home Hill and Elsewhere.
Tasmanian Wine Production
You'll notice that Pinot Noir and Chardonnay dominate wine production in Tasmania. As much as one third of the juice from these two varieties will be used for sparkling wine production.
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