Pipers Brook Pinot Gris

The Pipers Brook Pinot Gris might make you rethink what you know about Australian Pinot Gris. It is complex and textured yet beautifully refined. Notes of pear and apple are balanced by minerality and a hint of oak creaminess. This wine is perfect for enjoying with a good meal, pairing with heavier dishes like creamy pasta or roast chicken. 

Last year I enjoyed a few of the wines from Pipers Tasmania, a newer range from Pipers Brooks. I hadn’t had many wines from Pipers Brook before so I was stoked to try a few of them, and I started with their newest range of wines. But then I realised I had a sneaky little Pinot Gris squirrelled away from Pipers Brook that I hadn’t opened yet. So you best believe I had to give it a try!

We didn’t visit Pipers Brook on our trip to Tassie but after trying these wines I wish we had. I guess I’ll have to go back. This Pinot Gris is absolutely delicious and is more complex than what you might be used to with your typical Pinot Grigio that is easy-drinking (find out more about the difference in this post). So if you’re looking for something different in your whites, more like the classic Pinot Gris of France, read on. And if you don’t know what that means, read on anyway!

About Pipers Brook

Pipers Brook Vineyard was established in 1974 in the Tamar Valley. It is recognised as one of the pioneering vineyards of the Tasmanian wine industry with wines reflecting place, people and passion.

Pipers Brook is Tasmanian owned and situated in Pipers River on sites that were sought out for terroir similar to premium French wine regions. As well as Pipers Brook, they also bottle wines such as the Pipers Tasmania (a modern twist on the traditions of Pipers Brook), Kreglinger Sparkling wines and the iconic Ninth Island Range.

Through their wines, they pay homage to their cool climate and rich history.

What I loved about the Pipers Brook Pinot Gris

The Pipers Brook Pinot Gris is made from vines that are 25 years old. This old vine influence gives the wine added complexity and concentration that you might not find from younger vines. The wine was also aged on lees for 6 months to build additional structure and weight.

With all that in mind, you know you are in for a treat with this wine! It has a beautiful balance between flavours of rich, ripe fruit and a lovely structure with a hint of minerality. Notes of pear, apple and lemon come together into a wine that has a great depth of flavour and yet is tight, refreshing and complex.

The oak influence brings a subtle creaminess to the wine that really rounds out the fruit flavours and a nice crisp finish. The wine has a bit of a full-bodied style and really fills the mouth with a nice texture. Honestly from start to finish, this wine is a taste sensation, offering so much complexity.

The Pipers Brook Pinot Gris is the kind of wine that makes you do a double-take. You might be used to Pinot Gris and Grigio being simple, easy-drinking wine. This wine will make you rethink that in the most delicious way.

What to enjoy it with

The Pipers Brook Pinot Gris is on the fuller-bodied side of Pinot Gris and as such is perfect for pairing with food. In terms of food pairings, you have a lot of options. Meaty fish, creamy pasta or risotto, chicken or pork would all be great options to pair with this wine. Whilst lighter-bodied Pinot Grigio is better with lighter food, this wine will really stand up to richer flavours and together they will shine. You could also pair it with Asian or Indian cuisine if you were in the mood for something spicy!

In summary: Pipers Brook Pinot Gris

The Pipers Brook Pinot Gris is truly a delight to enjoy and might surprise you. We see a lot of styles of Pinot Gris and Grigio in Australia that are light-bodied. This wine offers something different that you might not expect from Pinot Gris. Maybe it will make you rethink this grape variety with its complex yet refined structure and delicious flavours. Pair it with a good meal and you have a match made in heaven!

Find out more about this wine at the Pipers Brook website. This wine is also available in bottle shops nationwide.

Note: I was sent this wine as a sample. I was under no obligation to post about it.