Tasmanian Wine Show 2012 Whites Pack

Sparkling, riesling and chardonnay were the white wine stars of the show. Riesling styles won the bulk of the medals, spread across dry and sweet styles.

Best Wine of Show was Heemskerk 2010 Chardonnay, which will be released in several months. And miracle of miracles, a Tasmanian pinot gris finally pleased the judges enough to be awarded a Gold Medal, and that went to the ever popular Ghost Rock Pinot Gris from the cool north west of the state. Best Riesling Trophy went to 2010 Pressing Matters R9 (barely off dry) which will be released in the next few months.

Mixed sparkling and whites dozen contains:

• 1 x 2008 Lake Barrington Alexandra Sparkling (NW) GOLD MEDAL: Consistent medal and trophy winner for many years. The cool north-west region produces ultra refined sparkling grapes. Fresh but complex with honey/biscuity notes.
• 1 x 2008 Josef Chromy Sparkling (Relbia) GOLD MEDAL: Very refined but creamy texture, dry. Relbia is a premium grape growing sub-region.
• 2 x 2011 Laurel Bank Riesling (Granton) GOLD MEDAL: Very aromatic with hints of musk. Dry and tangy style but with generous fruit, notably ripe lime. Sherbety on the palate with minerality and excellent structure. Super.
• 2 x 2009 Waterton Riesling (TAMAR) GOLD MEDAL:Tasmanian riesling rock star. Recent winner of 4 trophies at the Canberra International Riesling Challenge. Beautifully textured riesling with soft but dry finish.
  
• 2 x 2011 Ghost Rock Pinot Gris (NW) GOLD MEDAL: Saints be praised, the first pinot gris/grigio gold medal awarded at the Tas Wine Show goes to one of Pinot Shop's most popular pinot gris. Exquisitely fragrant with florals and pear. It is rich and soft in the mouth but finishes with perfect acidity
• 2 x 2009 Bay of Fires Chardonnay (multi-regional) GOLD MEDAL: Consistent gold medal winner, this is one of Tasmania's best chardonnays - pristine fruit, superb oak, texture and depth. Fruit is sourced premium blocks, mostly in the south of the state.
• 1 x 2010 Frogmore Creek FGR Riesling (Coal V) TROPHY BEST SWEET WINE: Again, consistent medal and trophy winner. FGR is an acronym for 'forty grams residual' referring to the amount of sugar left after fermentation. Can be drunk with both savoury foods (creamy blue cheese comes to mind) or sweet dishes.
  
• 1 x 2010 Milton Iced Riesling 500ml (East Coast) GOLD MEDAL: This exquisite dessert wine also received a top gong at The Taste of Tasmania. Riesling juice is frozen and re-frozen, emulating the natural conditions that produce Canadian Ice Wine, to concentrate the flavours and sweetness.

Tas Wine Show White Pack $350 (value $391)