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Whirly Wine Tour... This section will be changed on a regular basis with notes and stories from my travels around the vineyards of the world. CLICK HERE TO SEE THE WHIRLY WINE TOUR PHOTO GALLERY
Archive: Latest Tour: Tasmania January 30th- February 2nd 2006 After a “Big Day Out” in Melbourne and a delayed flight I arrived in Tasmania, an island very different from mainland Australia and famous for its cool temperatures, Tasmanian devil’s, rugged scenery and cool climate wines. I think at this point in my travels it should be pointed out that Australia is not just one big, hot melting pot of a continent producing powerful, intensely fruity and alcohol filled wines but in fact in the height of summer has extraordinary differences in climate even within one state such as I experienced when in Victoria traveling from Cobaw Ridge to Passing Clouds. More of that later when I return to Victoria but Tasmania represents this exciting variation in climate but since it is a separate island and quite a few miles south of the mainland it is not surprising. The theme throughout Australia in this early part of 2006 is that it has been a cool summer so far and the grapes are at least 2-3 weeks behind their normal maturation. In Tasmania and Margaret River the raisan is very similar in that the grapes are yet to mature to that point of changing colour. In 4 days time I shall visit Passing Clouds and I shall discover grapes that have changed colour! In Margaret River, Cobaw Ridge in the Macedon Ranges (I visited this intriguing vineyard for two days before I left for Tasmania but shall come back to this in my Victorian adventure) and now Tasmania “Raisan” (where the red grape changes colour) is very much a far-off proposition. I have always been intrigued by this southern island of Australia, the wild animals, the Hobart race, the mountains and the completely separate climate and identity from mainland Australia. There are two major wine regions in Tasmania that are north of Launceston, the northerly city and Hobart, the southern city and Capital. The exception is the Freycinet peninsula just north east of the capital where I had little time to visit but are by all accounts serving up some exceptional wines. I was reluctant to travel the 220 kms down to the southern capital until the morning after my arrival I discovered, purely by chance, a wonderful little business combining Garage, deli and wine just heading out of the town of Launceston. The wonderful proprietor managed to track down Stuart from Stephano Lubiano. Stephano Lubiano had been mentioned in a previous conversation with John Griffiths at Faber, both having attended the same viticulture university and one of his biggest fans I was later to find out is Jancis Robinson who loves his sparkling wine. Off all the tastings on my escapade around Australia this was the most exemplary range of classy wines. Pinot Grigio 2005- full of gooseberry and melon intensity Riesling 2005- Provence lavender on the nose with grapefruit and citrus palate Estate 2004 Pinot Noir- wonderful depth Merlot 2004- Blackberry and cassis His sparkling non-vintage wine is exceptional and so his is Pinot Noir and I hope to move with importing these two wines in the Autumn of 2007. The next morning I followed my steps back north to the Tamar Valley, the wine area just north of Launceston. I drove to the eastern side of the Tamar, dramatically cooler and hillier than the flat lands on the western side of the river. I chose Dalrymple as my one “chosen” specialist vineyard and I wasn’t to be disappointed. The lovely Jill Mitchell, co-owner of the vineyard introduced me to her special wines. Their first vintage was in 1991 having first planted in 1987. The pinots here are so good that the 2002 and 2003 vintages were sold out. However the 2002 Chardonnay was slightly oaked, barrel fermented, no malolactic, rich yet with a grapefruit finish. The 2003 Chardonnay was not quite as powerful as the 2002 but still exciting. I also enjoyed the 2004 Pinot Noir at 13.2 % Alc full of raspberry juice, well balanced and the Reserve 2004 Pinot which had more skin colour and a lively cherry and raspberry intensity. I really think these wines would be a great success here in the UK and if I can get hold of them then I will. Humbug Reach was my last port of call across on the western side of the Tamar where the temperature had risen by 5-10 degrees. By far the smallest vineyard I have ever visited Humbug produce exciting Rieslings. Their 2005 is limey and zesty yet firm. I shall keep in touch with this little vineyard and not only because the name is wonderful….. Next Stop: Victoria |