Tasmania is the next big thing in (Aussie) wine.

2012 Henskens Rankin Vintage Brut

The spotlight on Tasmania reveals an island that's fast becoming the heartland of Australia's wine revolution. This place is like the secret level you unlocked as a kid after playing the video game for way too long. The real story here is the exceptional quality of the white wines. Chardonnay, Riesling, and even Savagnin are setting benchmarks for what cool-climate whites can achieve. They are characterized by their incredible acidity, depth, and intensity, reflecting Tasmania's unique terroir and the meticulous craft of its winemakers. They're not just good; they're often breathtaking, offering a complexity and elegance that can easily challenge more recognized global counterparts. Moreover, Tasmania's sparkling wine producers are taking the art of winemaking to new heights. By aging their sparkling wines on lees for extended periods—often up to a decade—these producers are crafting expressions reminiscent of the finest champagnes, turning them into treasures I’m eager to bring home as soon as I can sort out the logistics. The 2012 Henskens Rankin Vintage Brut, which I had the pleasure of enjoying on Christmas Eve in Hobart, stands out as one of the most memorable wines I tried last year. It’s a vivid testament to the island’s prowess in producing sparkling wines that deserve a spot on the global stage. Oh, and for those of you into the whole brooding, mysterious reds vibe, the Pinot Noirs are like the dark, sexy stranger at the bar—complex, intriguing, and totally worth getting to know better. In the hands of meticulous Tassie winemakers, these wines strike a delicate balance between fruit and earthiness and are subtly disrupting the domestic Australian market by outshining their counterparts from regions more traditionally renowned for Pinot (just don’t ask Yarra Valley).