Who makes it?

Jansz Vintage Cuvee is a fine fizz from Tasmania and a portfolio companion to Jansz Premium Cuvee.  While Jansz has been one of the Hill Smith brands for decades, the brand has always stood for quality sparkling in Australia. This makes sense which you understand that the brand has a Champagne origin story.

Just like Blue Pyrenees in Victoria, and obviously Chandon Australia, Jansz had a Champagne interest. One of the original owners of the brand was the Louis Roederer Champagne house. They started the Jansz vineyards and the winery with the owners of Heemskerk Wines at the time. The vineyards were planted in the late 1980s.

There in the Pipers River region, other wine explorers were also producing interesting wines. Andrew Pirie had already planted his vineyards. However, Pirie Sparkling was yet to come. Pirie’s very first sparkling vintage in 1995, added to the bright sparkling future to come. 

Click here to read a review on Pirie Sparkling. 

The Hill Smith family purchased Jansz in 1998. By that time, Jansz and other producers had set the expectation for the quality of Tasmanian wine. Particularly for fine fizz. 

How do they make it?

Jansz Vintage Cuvee is a traditional made sparkling wine. Which simply means, using the same method as the wines of Champagne to produce fine bubbles.  Similar to the Jansz Premium Cuvee, the Vintage Cuvee is blend of around two thirds Chardonnay and a third Pinot Noir. 

A portion of the Vintage Cuvee undergoes its ferment in old oak barrels. That portion of the wine remains in those barrels for around six months. The rest of the wine ferments in stainless steel to retain its pristine fresh appeal. After this ferment and maturation, the wine is bottled and goes through a second ferment process to create the bubbles. The wine spends around 39 months in the bottle on the dead yeast cells. This adds further complexity and roundness. It also means you get a lot for your money with this wine.

What does it taste like?

With the addition of that portion from barrel, and the extended ageing, the Vintage Cuvee needs little added sugar (around 4 g/l). It is a concentrated and creamy fizz. The citrus and pear fruit is rich with spicy nuts and brioche. The bubbles are finely textured and this Vintage Cuvee is creamier than the Jansz Premium Cuvee. Yet the Vintage is very elegant. That cream adds just another dimension to the complexity.

What to drink it with?

Enjoy Jansz Vintage Cuvee with appetisers, of course. Also with lunch or starters of seafood and fish, salads with chicken, tuna, fish or seafood.

Cheese

Drink with a bloomy cheese and fresh cheeses.

Quickie review « A rather delicious fizz from Tasmania. »

Country of Origin:  Tasmania, Australia
Tasting Date: January 2026
Price:  UK £32 | AU$50 | US$ ++
Drink: now – 3 years 
Needs food: no
Source: tasting

If you like Australian sparkling wines, why not check out:
Australian sparkling wines - House of Arras style!
The Great Australian Fizz

Visit jansz for more.