Wine Varieties
Tasmania’s oldest wine producing area; the Tamar Valley, is a place where exceptional wine is nurtured out of passion and a dedication to quality. Our wines are like our friends. They are an interesting, lively and endearing bunch of characters.
“Pure in quality, rich in character, friendly and most of all unforgettable. This is Tamar Valley Wine. We are what we drink!”
Sparkling & sparkling Rosé
Our sparkling wines are considered equal to those from Champagne, and Tasmania, according to James Halliday, is the leading sparkling wine region in Australia.
Classic white sparkling wines are blended from Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay grapes which thrive in Tasmania. However, our winemakers are also occasionally known to use other varieties to create sparkling wines that are just a bit different!
Riesling
Tamar Valley Rieslings have naturally high levels of acidity resulting in brilliantly focused, crisp, intense palates and a lingering finish. Our skilled winemakers balance the acidity with discreet residual sugar to produce complex wines that match perfectly with Tasmania’s outstanding seafood.
Chardonnay
An important white grape used in producing Tasmania’s wonderful sparkling wines, however this varietal stands alone to produce wines of length and intensity.
Oaked or un-oaked Tamar Valley Chardonnays have a minerally spine and high natural acidity. These are wines of real quality.
Sauvignon Blanc
Occasionally also called a fumé blanc, this is Australia’s favourite white; fresh, crisp and dry for easy drinking! Tamar Valley styles can show grassy tones with hints of grapefruit, capsicum or melon reflecting our cooler climate.
Pinot Gris / Grigio
Gris or grigio … The distinctly “grey” bloom on the skins is what gives this aromatic grape its name. However, the difference between these wine styles will come down to whether the winemaker is making the wine in the French style (gris) or Italian (grigio).
Flavour-wise across both styles you’ll taste apple, pear or honeysuckle although gris tends to be fuller-bodied and spicier while a grigio will be livelier and more spritzy due to the grapes being picked slightly younger. Discovering which is your favourite is part of the fun of the wine tasting!
Rosé
Rosé fans will find plenty of delicious examples in the Tamar Valley. Sometimes tasting as floral as they look & other times surprisingly dry, colours may range from the lightest blush to raspberry. The variations depend on the grape used and the length of time the wine is left “on skins”. Rosés may be made from one grape varietal or a blend.
Most commonly in the Tamar, they are made from Pinot Noir grapes but occasionally our winemakers have other grapes to play with!
While Tasmania is known for its pinot Noirs we do have some other reds varietals flourishing in the Tamar Valley that are well kept secrets!
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is king in Tasmania, making up most of the state’s grape production and we show this elegant grape variety off to perfection!
High in acidity with soft tannins – this grape needs careful husbandry & winemaking to get it into the bottle. From the bright cherry and raspberry-scented wines from the Lower Tamar to the heady truffle and black cherry aromas from the Upper Tamar vineyards, our variety of styles prove our devotion to good taste.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet or “Cab Sav” is a fantastic drop for the cooler seasons & we have ample opportunity to sup some of these near a fire in the winter months. This elegant red varietal is one that not many realise is produced in Tassie (less than 1% of the state’s production).
Grown in our cool climate, it is a medium-bodied wine that tends to produce plum or blackcurrant flavours, with savoury herb, bay or peppery notes. Often oak aged to highlight the spicy hints, these wines age well & are amazing paired with foods.
Merlot & Cabernet Merlot
Another Tassie varietal that sneaks in to compete with the mainland wines – the cool climate gives a very different flavour profile to these grapes than those found on the big island!
The colour makes this a treasure in the glass – dark red it can almost look black. Summer berries and stone fruit met with spice & sometimes cedar round out this wine creating a wonder when paired with red meat.
Occasionally when cabernet is blended with merlot it emphasises different characteristics – the merlot softening the cabernet to create a velvety finish with fine tannins.
Shiraz / Syrah
What’s the difference you may ask? Both wines are made from the same grape, but the name comes down to the way the grapes are grown and how the wine is made. The term Syrah “tends” to be used for cooler climate wines made from the Shiraz grapes to distinguish from those big bold chewy reds found on the mainland.
Our Shiraz/Syrah wines still pack a punch but with more elegance and complexity! While you’ll still find the berry notes you will also taste pepper and spice. And if you can bring yourself not to drink it straight away – cellaring for a few years will evolve the flavours! Santé
…these are some of the other less common grape varieties you will find at cellar doors thanks to our pioneering viticulturalists
Dessert / botrytis STyles
There are lots of different styles and grapes that create dessert wines – they are also made in many ways (making defining them very hard!).
In essence, they are sweet or “sticky” wines that complement dessert or cheeses at the end of the meal to round out your palate. Designed to be sipped and treasured – or maybe just because …
Other Reds
Dornfelder, Gamay, Amarone, Tempranillo, Cabernet Franc
Other whites
Gewurztraminer, Arneis, Gruner Vetliner, Pinot Blanc, Frontignac, Muller Thurgau, Muscat