Grain of truth: Best Tasmanian wine list unveiled

 

Are you visiting Tasmania and keen to check out wine lists that offer a compelling range of wines from the island state?

The 2023 Tasmanian Wine List of the Year awards were announced today, with the highest accolade, the Judges' Choice award, going to Launceston’s Grain of the Silos in the Peppers Silos Hotel.

Peppina in Hobart, which has arguably the best overall list in the state, and Mures Upper Deck were highly commended.

The best regional wine list was awarded to Kermandie Hotel, while Stanley Wine Bar received awards for both best small wine bar list and the people’s choice wine list.

Other highly commended lists included Launceston’s Little V and regional entrant The Imbibers, located at Oatlands.

Unlike other award programs, the Tasmanian Wine List of the Year has a hyper-local focus and seeks to identify those venues that go the extra mile in championing the island’s wines and produce.

Previous winner Stillwater in Launceston, with another outstanding list, did not enter this year.

“The depth and quality of the local wine offering from all finalist venues was a step up this year, reflecting the growing sophistication of the island as a wine and food destination," said Wine Tasmania CEO Sheralee Davies.

"Not only did we see an increase in new and geographically-dispersed entrants, their wine lists featured a much greater range of wine producers, locations, varieties and vintages than previously seen. We commend and thank all of our finalist venues for the excellent role they play in promoting the island's wines to locals and visitors alike."

2023 Tasmanian Wine List of the Year award winners:

# Judges’ Choice Best Wine List – Grain of the Silos (highly commended: Mures Upper Deck & Peppina)
# Judges’ Choice Best Small Wine Bar List – Stanley Wine Bar (highly commended: Little V)
# Judges’ Choice Best Regional Wine List – Kermandie Hotel (highly commended: The Imbibers)
# People’s Choice Best Wine List – Stanley Wine Bar

# The writer was a member of the judging panel

A toast to the fresh produce of Tasmania

Celebrity chef Massimo Mele and his kitchen team at Grain of the Silos will host a special dinner to salute the quality of Tasmanian fresh produce. 

Mele, Thomas Pirker and new kitchen addition Mika Chae (formerly of Attica in Melbourne) will work with Tasmanian producers to showcase a menu of fine local produce. 

The producers will also be at the dinner to talk about the produce, how it is grown and what makes it so significant. 

The dinner will be held on Thursday, August 5, at Grain of the Silos in the Pepper Silo Hotel in Launceston. 

The cost is $145 per person including welcome drinks on arrival and canapés followed by a shared-style menu curated by food director Mele (above) and executive chef Pirker. 

The dinner is a lead-in to the AgriCultured festival weekend.

“Working with hyper local producers whom we know and have built relationships with is fundamental to the food philosophy at Grain," says Mele. "The quality of produce in northern Tasmania is some to the best in the country and having access to such exceptional local, seasonal ingredients is a pleasure. 

"We know our growers by name, we know and understand just what it takes to get the produce to our door. This understanding allows us to keep working together and allows us to deliver a better dining experience."

Among the menu items will be abalone fritter with smoked oyster and lemon myrtle; hand-rolled macaroni with king brown mushrooms and fresh truffle; king george whiting, cooked over the coals served with stinging nettle butter and Tasmanian lamb shoulder. 

See https://grainofthesilos.com.au/blog/meet-the-producers-dinner