Tassie wines hit headlines at CNN

THE accolades keep pouring in for Tasmania’s wine industry with CNN listing the state in the top 10 up-and-coming wine regions.

Wine Tasmania CEO Sheralee Davies with the wine industry strategic plan

THE accolades keep pouring in for Tasmania’s wine industry with CNN listing the state in the top 10 up-and-coming wine regions.

It follows other gongs with Tolpuddle’s 2013 pinot noir judged Australia’s top red wine in May and Bay of Fires won best sauvignon blanc at the Decanter World Wine Awards in June.

“It’s another top 10 for ­Tassie. The global accolades are coming in so regularly and consistently, it’s extraordinary,” said Wine Tasmania chief executive Sheralee ­Davies.

She said the world was ­really starting to take notice of Tasmania.

“Australian wines are well known around the world but they are very different to what we do here in Tasmania — ­different styles and different climate.

“When people try our wines they are so surprised and can hardly help but be impressed.”

Ms Davies said tourists ­enjoyed the intimate nature of Tasmania’s cellar door experience and meeting winemakers.

“It’s the hands-on, small-scale aspect they enjoy.”

MORE: TOLPUDDLE VINEYARDS TAKES OUT AUSSIE RED WINE OF THE YEAR

In naming the state in its list the American news network praised the diversity of the wine varieties produced here.

“Some of Australia’s most vibrant new wines are ­coming out of the ­overlooked island state of Tasmania,” CNN said. “Tasmania’s southern latitude and cool, maritime climate makes for unique wines vastly different from anywhere else in the country.

“In northern Tasmania’s Tamar Valley, you’ll find crisp, dry rieslings and sauvignon blancs, as well as full-bodied chardonnays. In warmer southern Tasmania, across the Derwent, Huon and Coal River valleys, you’ll find rich, bold cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir and shiraz.”

Other entries on the list ­include Sicily, Italy; Michigan, US; and Moravia, in the Czech Republic.