Tassie wine recognised on world stage

A Tasmanian drop has been named one of the best wines in the world for 2022 by a prestigious UK-based wine magazine. Find out which local favourite has garnered international acclaim.

Tolpuddle chief wine maker Adam Wadewitz at Richmond. Picture: Chris Kidd

A FAVOURITE Tasmanian drop has been named one of the best wines in the world for 2022.

Tolpuddle Vineyard’s 2021 Chardonnay, made in the Coal Valley north of Hobart, was dubbed White Wine of the Year by prestigious UK-based wine magazine, Decanter.

Tolpuddle chief winemaker Adam Wadewitz said it was amazing to see Tasmanian wine recognised on the international stage.

“I think it just sort of it speaks volumes to the quality of the fruit that’s able to be grown here and particularly, Chardonnay and Pinot, I think it’s really well suited,” Mr Wadewitz said.

“Fruit from Tolpuddle has its own unique character and it’s kind of nice to see that get rewarded.”

Tolpuddle specialises in crafting classic Chardonnay and aromatic pinot noir – the vineyard’s small range and simplicity has paid off, earning them a myriad of accolades in 2022.

The Wine Magazine awarded their 2021 Chardonnay a perfect score of 100 and named Mr Wadewitz “winemaker of the year”.

Mr Wadewitz said the distinct climate of the Coal Valley played a big role in developing their award-winning wine.

Tolpuddle Vineyard, in Coal River Valley, Tasmania. – Michael Hill Smith, David LeMire, Martin Shaw & Adam Wadewitz. Picture: Chris Crerar

“It’s the uniqueness of the site, it’s the uniqueness of being close to the sea, it’s the uniqueness of the influence of the cold Southern Ocean and it’s also the soil and the way it’s farmed,” he said.

“For me, a good Chardonnay needs to be complex. It needs to have good extract and intensity, but then it needs to be wrapped up in a couple of things – beautiful natural acidity which holds the wine together but also, there needs to be balance and that balance is what makes people enjoy the whole wine.

“The enduring character of Tolpuddle is that it tends to have this really long lasting flavour that just lingers forever.”

Mr Wadewitz will also serve as Chair of Judges at this week’s Tasmanian Wine Show.