Kate Hill 2018 Riesling

 

I'll declare my conflict of interest straight away: I've done a couple of cellar door tastings at Kate Hill Wines in the Huon Valley and very much enjoy her wines. Every time this has been a shining light; a truly delicious cool-climate riesling minus aggressive youthful acid but still full of bright citrus and stone fruit characters. Crafted from fruit selected from the Derwent and Coal River valleys, it is extremely food friendly and drinking very well at three years of age. This pairs well with just about anything from a cheese platter to Thai takeaway. $32.  www.katehillwines.com.au/

Chartley Estate 2020 Pinot Gris

 

Chartley Estate is one of those Tasmanian wineries that has a strong local following but has tended to fly a little under the radar nationally. Owned by the Kossmann family, who have a vineyard at Rowella in the west of the Tamar Valley, the current release whites - including a chardonnay and riesling - are outstanding with this one my personal favourite. Aromatic, with classic nashi pear and stone fruit characters, it sits midway between gris complexity and grigio freshness in style, finishing crisp and dry. Very food friendly, too. $29.  https://chartleyestatevineyard.com.au/

Clover Hill 2016 Vintage Release

 

Tasmania is the "go to" state for quality sparkling wines and Clover Hill has long been one of the leading producers: it is one of Australia's very few premium sparkling houses solely producing sparkling wines in the traditional method. My first thought when I tried this brand new release was that it was a grower Champagne, Yes, its that good. Chardonnay dominant, this has purity, elegance, complexity and drinkability in a definite aperitif style with citrus and brioche notes to the fore. $54.