Wine can do things a chicken nugget can’t

Much news of late has documented the decline of the wine industry. If ever there was an era of existential crisis for wine we are living in it now.

Tariffs, tax, wellness, zero wine, cocktails, boomers, gen z, gen x, millennials, sulphites, oversupply, science and the world’s obsession with iced strawberry matcha are all to blame apparently…

Most challenges I can take in my stride, but I get a little sad that our beautiful industry is minimised by some into a box called “health risk to manage”. For us, wine is our life. It’s growing and struggling, and making and fighting for something that is real and speaks of place and tells a story and brings people together.

Actor (and vineyard owner) Sam Neill articulated it so well recently when he said:

“We’ve been producing wine for thousands of years and that’s for a very good reason - because it’s very good for you, and it’s very good for conversation and it’s very good for conviviality, it’s good for community. These are the things that people who are against alcohol have forgotten. Christ’s first miracle was he turned water into wine…he didn’t turn it into no-alcohol wine, he didn’t turn it into vodka, he didn’t make cocktails for people. He turned it into good wine.”

Of course moderation is important…but do chicken nuggets, pork belly and burgers get the grief wine does? It’s the irony of having to make room in the kitchen for air fryers and slushie machines, while suddenly having no room in the fridge for a bottle of wine.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard snippets of beautiful conversations, and the joyous noise and laughter over a shared glass or two at our winery. Can a chicken nugget do that?

I’ve been somewhat calmed watching season three of ‘The Twelve’, an Aussie lawyer courtroom drama starring (again) Sam Neill…and wine.

The wine is a subtle sub-plot, barely noticeable if you weren’t looking…but when you do it’s everywhere. It’s in the lingering shots of a glass being poured and savoured, the moments and snatches of conversation between characters that happen because they are drinking wine. Subliminal shiraz messaging at its very best.

Happy new year…and if you are making any resolutions about wine, may it be to drink more…in moderation.

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