Want to play a game? Go on. It’s O.K. I promise you won’t die, although it’s very possible you could end up in heaven (I certainly did). Here’s how you play my kind of Russian roulette.
Try being a little daring. Instead of returning time and time again to your tried and true favourite wines (My current tried and true’s are 2005 Gary Crittenden Pinocchio Barbera from King Valley, 2001 Heggies Reserve Riesling from Eden Valley and 2006 Rolf Binder Shiraz from the Barossa) and instead of returning to your tried and true wine retailer (The JAM research team fav’s are Prince Wine Store, Rathdowne Cellars and Dan Murphy), I dare you to choose a wine store you’ve never visited before. Choose a retailer with a good selection of wines. (This means they have stock from most Australian and New Zealand wine regions, in addition to some European and other international wines. A substantial number of grape varieties should be available and there should be wines from across the price spectrum). After doing a scan of these well stocked shelves, select a bottle of wine that you’ve never come across; something that looks and feels right to you (You need to get in touch with your “wintuition” for this exercise); something in a similar price range to the wines you usually enjoy. Then, take the wine home, crack the lid or pop the cork, pour a glass and (Here comes the Russian roulette part) feel your heart pound as the adrenalin rushes through you. Feel your hands quivering with fear and anticipation. Give the wine a swirl in the glass, breathe in the bouquet, then bring it to your lips and, along with a little oxygen, take the liquid into your mouth, swirling it over your tongue and across your cheeks. Now pause to think about the sensation in your mouth, in your body, in your soul. Do you feel dead or alive? Is the wine a dud or a winner?
If you chose a dud, waste no time and pour it down the sink, make a note NEVER to select that wine again, then self-flagellate for 15 minutes, asking for forgiveness while pondering one of life’s big questions; what’s wrong with my wintuition? (And why didn’t the guy at the checkout stop me from making such a grave mistake?)
If you chose a winner, as I did when I last played this game (I scored a heavenly 2006 First Drop ‘The Blind’ Nebbiolo Barbera from the Adelaide Hills), you may pat yourself on the back. You may brag a little and savour its gorgeousness, and then you should add it to your Tried and True list and then...why not have another spin?
Try being a little daring. Instead of returning time and time again to your tried and true favourite wines (My current tried and true’s are 2005 Gary Crittenden Pinocchio Barbera from King Valley, 2001 Heggies Reserve Riesling from Eden Valley and 2006 Rolf Binder Shiraz from the Barossa) and instead of returning to your tried and true wine retailer (The JAM research team fav’s are Prince Wine Store, Rathdowne Cellars and Dan Murphy), I dare you to choose a wine store you’ve never visited before. Choose a retailer with a good selection of wines. (This means they have stock from most Australian and New Zealand wine regions, in addition to some European and other international wines. A substantial number of grape varieties should be available and there should be wines from across the price spectrum). After doing a scan of these well stocked shelves, select a bottle of wine that you’ve never come across; something that looks and feels right to you (You need to get in touch with your “wintuition” for this exercise); something in a similar price range to the wines you usually enjoy. Then, take the wine home, crack the lid or pop the cork, pour a glass and (Here comes the Russian roulette part) feel your heart pound as the adrenalin rushes through you. Feel your hands quivering with fear and anticipation. Give the wine a swirl in the glass, breathe in the bouquet, then bring it to your lips and, along with a little oxygen, take the liquid into your mouth, swirling it over your tongue and across your cheeks. Now pause to think about the sensation in your mouth, in your body, in your soul. Do you feel dead or alive? Is the wine a dud or a winner?
If you chose a dud, waste no time and pour it down the sink, make a note NEVER to select that wine again, then self-flagellate for 15 minutes, asking for forgiveness while pondering one of life’s big questions; what’s wrong with my wintuition? (And why didn’t the guy at the checkout stop me from making such a grave mistake?)
If you chose a winner, as I did when I last played this game (I scored a heavenly 2006 First Drop ‘The Blind’ Nebbiolo Barbera from the Adelaide Hills), you may pat yourself on the back. You may brag a little and savour its gorgeousness, and then you should add it to your Tried and True list and then...why not have another spin?
(Story inspired by my friend Mark who introduced me to Russian Roulette)
Written by Jo Broom (c)
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