Tasmania’s best sparkling wines have been revealed at the 2019 Tasmanian Wine Show Awards.
Henskens Rankin Vintage Brut 2010 has taken out Champion Wine of Show and Best Late Disgorged Older Vintage Sparkling, while Best Vintage Sparkling went to Pirie Method Traditional Vintage 2012 and Best Non-Vintage Sparkling was awarded to Stefano Lubiana Brut Reserve.
The wine sells for around $89.95 a bottle, with only 585 made and all bottles numbered.
Winemaker Frieda Henskens proudly noted on social media: “You can’t hurry love. Or fine sparkling wine. Henskens Rankin of Tasmania 2010 vintage brut. Seven years on yeast lees, 17 months under cork and getting better.”
This year’s Awards featured with 83 exhibitors, 450 wines and a stellar line-up of judges, including Chairman Huon Hooke and Emeritus Chairman James Halliday.
Industry legends Peter Dawson and Tim James took out the Export Wine of Show International Judges Trophy for their Dawson James 2015 Chardonnay.
Minister for Primary Industries and Water Guy Barnett said: “Tasmania’s wine industry is well on its way to reach its targeted growth of 1.5 million cases of wine by 2020, a trebling of wine production since 2013, and is playing a pivotal role as we work towards our vision to grow the annual farm gate value of Tasmania’s agricultural sector to $10billion by 2050.
“That’s why we are investing $600,000 into the development of the wine industry in Tasmania. Wine Tasmania will use the funding to develop export and visitor markets, and build our wine industry’s growing global reputation.”
“In collaboration with the Commonwealth Government we are also bringing together our wine and tourism sectors as part of a $500,000 global marketing campaign to attract visitors to our regions.”
Tasmania voted one of the world’s top wine getaways
Earlier this month, Wine Enthusiast declared Tasmania one of its 2019 Top 10 Wine Getaways.
Chosen by Wine Enthusiast’s global editors each year, the winners are featured in the February issue of the magazine.
The list includes not only tips on what to taste and where to go in terms of wine, but also an insider’s guide on top restaurants, hotels and cultural activities to experience in each region.
The magazine noted: “The island’s relaxed pace has drawn in travelers who seek an undiscovered slice of heaven, with bountiful natural resources and plenty of world-class wine.
“While locations like France’s Beaujolais and Chile’s Maipo Valley may be familiar destinations to wine lovers, the list offers plenty of surprises, like Tasmania, Australia and Bangkok, Thailand.” that have yet to be discovered.”
Full list of 2019 Tasmanian Wine Show Awards trophy winners
Best Late Disgorged Older Vintage Sparkling – Henskens Rankin Vintage Brut 2010
Best Vintage Sparkling – Pirie Method Traditional Vintage 2012
Best Non-Vintage Sparkling – Stefano Lubiana Brut Reserve
Best Riesling – Josef Chromy Riesling 2017
Best Sauvignon Blanc – Freycinet Wineclass Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Best Pinot Gris – Gala Estate Pinot Gris 2018
Best Chardonnay – Derwent Estate Calcaire Chardonnay 2016
Best Sweet Wine – Pressing Matters R139 2016
Best 3 Year Old Pinot Noir – Pressing Matters Pinot Noir 2016
Best Pinot Noir – Bay of Fires Pinot Noir 2017
Best Museum Wine – Stefano Lubiana Grande Vintage Brut 2008
Best Other Wine – Milton Reserve Shraz 2017
Best 2018 Vintage Wine – Mapleton Riesling 2018
Chairman’s Selection – Home Hill Kelly’s Reserve Pinot Noir
People’s Choice – Bangor Abel Tasman Pinot Noir 2015
Reserve Champion Wine of Show – Bay of Fires Pinot Noir 2017
Champion Wine of Show – Henskens Rankin Vintage Brut 2010
Most Successful Exhibitor – Josef Chromy Wines
Export Wine of Show – Dawson James Chardonnay 2015