Think all Pinot Noir is just a “light red”? Think again.

The wonderful Meg and Mel put this to the test using Handpicked Wines, in a controlled, side-by-side tasting of our single-vineyard Pinots from Tasmania, Mornington Peninsula, and Yarra Valley—three of Australia’s most distinctive cool-climate regions.

The result was a sensory map of Australian Pinot Noir that proves place matters—deeply.

From Tasmania, our Pinot offered an elegant, hibiscus-and-cranberry whisper: fine-boned, bright, and effortlessly pure. The Mornington Peninsula glass surged forward with plush red cherry, velvet tannins, and seductive mid-palate weight. Finally, the Yarra Valley poured a taut line of sour cherry and tomato leaf, defined by structure and savoury energy.

It’s a fascinating reminder of how terroir shapes character—from soil type to altitude, temperature to harvest timing. Cooler climates and longer hang times allow flavour precursors to accumulate slowly, resulting in layers of nuance that make Pinot such a compelling storyteller.

Meg and Mel also explored the reality behind regional labelling—how Tasmania, despite its vast differences between areas like Coal River and Tamar Valley, is still grouped under a single GI (Geographical Indication). As Australian Pinot evolves, these distinctions are becoming increasingly important to the conversation.

They shared practical tasting tips along the way—like which dishes best complement each style: Peking duck pancakes, confit duck, and crisp-skinned poultry are all natural Pinot partners. Listen to the full episode.

For those wanting to dive deeper, we have created your very own ‘at home’ tasting packs for you to try a cross-regional tasting for yourself - choose from our Collection Pinot Regional Variety Pack, our Single Vineyard Pinot Regional Variety Pack and our Single Vineyard Chardonnay Regional Variety Pack.

These packs are the perfect way to host your own tasting evening and share in the discovery of three of Australia’s most distinctive cool-climate regions.