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Published: April 28th 2024
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Here we are, on the big island of Tasmania. This is a first for Tanya and I. Oh surprise! Tripadvisor algorithm now believes that I've seen 98% of the world! What a big joke isn't it?
The ride from King Island was another short hop on a small Saab 340. Solid rain was forecasted for that afternoon, so I did keep my finger crossed. We indeed had some rain, but nothing to bother too much. Did pick up a way nicer car at the small airport of Burnie...way more expensive rental too...and we drove the short 2 hours ride to Launceston, the second biggest city of Tasmania, population 77,363!
Tonight, not only do we have a comfortable bed, but a decent kitchenette too! So once check-in done, straight to the supermarket to stock on some local salmon and other goodies. The wine shops are already closed, but the good news is the hotel is taking care pretty nicely of us thanks to my frequent guest status level...and decent wine is part of the goodies!
Next morning is only a short drive from Launceston to Barnbougle. The high season is behind us since
Easter, so the challenge for us is to find somewhere to taste amazing wines before getting to the golf course. Tasmania is big on Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay...if you know your grapes, you will understand the short cut...you come to Tasmania to taste Pinot Noir...and bubbles!! I'm lucky...I can still hit the white little ball pretty well, but I'm also pretty verse in Pinot Noir and bubbles!
Here, you do not drive and drink! Wine tasting are super efficient and organized in the way they advertise ahead the "amount" of wine you'll be served. Tanya and I are used to do "one" tasting between us per winery, all this in order to minimize my intake of too much of the good wine! It also allows us to do more than one winery per half-day!
We first started the day with a top cafe-style breakfast at our hotel. Next, the short drive North-East...and first stop at Piper Brook winery and the Kreglinger bubbly! Never heard of them before, but a pretty nice bubbly! They also bottle a Pinot Meunier. If you know your Champagne, you know that Pinot Meunier is a red grape
part of the blend (generally in small percentage)! Yes...I did drink bubbly at a young age, but learn about this process rather later in my adult days! You will not find a bottle of Pinot Meunier in France! So my joy to be able to try it! Lesson learnt...not bad...but it's better in a bubbly blend than by itself! At least today I can make the difference if tasting a Pinot Meunier or a Pinot Noir!
Today I'm not playing golf. We are staying at the Barnbougle lodge. The resort has 2 golf courses, both ranked into the top 5 courses in Australia...plus one super fun 14 holes par three course. Dinner each night was at the club house bistro style restaurant. The next morning I'm up early to play both courses the same day. There is a nice weather forecast for the next morning, and it's way cheaper if you can walk both courses the same day! Fun fact, the first course I play is the "Lost Farm", they don't have 18 holes here, but 20 holes course, love the bonus two par 3s! Next course was the prime Ocean Dunes with Tanya walking the course
with me. This place is gorgeous and it feels good that I can hit low 80s on all these courses!
The next morning, I play the super fun par 3 course. It was pretty busy, so I play with 2 balls just to keep entertained...and yes, playing in the par is fun here!
The area is also well known for the local scallops. I had them in a curry for dinner...but the last day, had them in a pie at the local bakery. This must be the best pie I ever had, and this being a delicacy in South Africa, I can tell you that i had tons of them.
We did drive back for another stay, and another "home cooked" meal in Launceston. Obviously more wine tasting on the way. First was Sinapius. Nice wines, but too expensive for what it is. Well, this is me trying to compare wine prices between South Africa and Tasmania! Not easy to do, minimum hourly salary in South Africa is 1.5usd per hour...picking up grapes by hand in Tasmania, 26usd per hour!
Last stop before reaching Launceston was Westella on the other
side of the Tamar River. Will is doing only Pinot Noir...so he does produce some amazing Pinot Noir, but also a fantastic Blanc de Noir bubbly! We had so much time visiting him...plus drinking his wine the next few days!
Golf is over for me in Australia for this trip...but not bubbles and blowing few of them. Fun fact, I brought in 35 balls ready to lose all of them, I'm flying out with 32 of them! Nice!
Hope you enjoy the pictures. Last little note, when it comes to Tasmanian Pinot Noir, the best release to go for among the last years is 2022! Funny that such a young wine is often so ready for drinking!
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