Pinot noir is one of the hardest grapes to grow, the grape is thin-skinned, and both the fruit and the plant tend to be susceptible to diseases. Most vines are often plagued by powdery mildew or bunch rot. Some grape varieties require a cool climate for the best results, foremost among them pinot noir.
In case you are wondering why, it is because pinot noir buds early and ripens early, and the longer the berries can stay on the vine before becoming too ripe, the more complex the resulting wine will be. Too much heat and sun cause pinot noir to ripen before it has a chance to develop its full potential for flavour and aroma.
Currently listed on the Tattersalls wine list, is the 2017 Gala Estate Black Label pinot noir from Cranbrook, Tasmania. With its beautiful cool climate, Tassie is one of the greatest wine-growing regions in the world.
The Gala vineyard was first planted in 2009, with the first vintage in 2011, selected as the absolute best site over their 4000-hectare property on steep, rocky ironstone with north-facing hills, and a pristine environment, to consistently produce some of Tassie’s finest pinot noir.
This Gala Estate pinot is a full-bodied red wine with a wonderful structure. You will get aromas of bramble berries, flavours of dark cherries and star anise, with silky soft tannins – perfectly matched with our feature dish – Pan seared duck breast with wilted rainbow chard, oyster mushrooms and sherry jus. The secret to this bottle is letting it breathe after opening it because Tasmania’s harvest is later than Victoria, which means there is more length after the second sip.
To enjoy this fabulous pairing, please contact the team at dine@tattersallsclub.org to make a reservation.
