For the last two weeks I’ve been afflicted by covid-19 so I haven’t been drinking. I simply haven’t felt like it, and on the odd occasion when a sense of duty has led me to open something I’ve ended up regretting it. I’ve enjoyed the odd solitary beer, but a whole bottle of wine, albeit between two, has been a bridge too far. I didn’t lose my sense of smell or taste, but they were definitely affected and could not be trusted – it was as if taste had become broken down into its constituent parts – sweet, sour, bitter, salty and umami, and all subtle combinations were lost. Like being reduced to a world of red, green and blue. But there was one pink worth a mention, Oakridge Yarra Valley Rosé

This wine reminded me of a first date, not any particular first date, but the notion of one, and that key question – would there be a second date? (This could have been because we were watching ‘Only Murders in The Building’ and Steve Martin was talking about his expertise in first dates due to the fact that he had so few second dates.)

Anyway, one look at this wine and my hopes soared, it was such a beautiful pale, salmon pink and if looks were all that mattered I was in love. It also smelt divine, a gentle blend of grapefruit and cherries. The first sip seemed to confirm my love. But then something went horribly wrong. A tart bitterness announced its presence like… well this is when the comparison becomes particularly awkward. Dare I say it was at that moment my date opened her mouth and instead of speaking like Marion Cotillard she sounded like Yosser from Boys From The Blackstuff.

I guess I’ll have to try another bottle when I’m fully recovered. Being a 2021 it is probably a few months too young. You can find it for under $30.

Something I can recommend unequivocally, is the 2016 Trimbach Riesling, which can be found for under $30 at World Wine. We were treated to this by a friend over Christmas and it slipped down perfectly. If you haven’t had an Alsace Riesling before this is a seminal lesson in what they do with that variety there and it’s very different to what we do here. Weighty, long and rich with firm acid as opposed to the throat gripping you can get down-under.

And that’s it for the wine so I’m going to give my recently published book a plug. You may already have heard about it. You may even have bought it, in which case I thank you, but if you haven’t here are some independent reviews:

“Loved the book and feel like I’m basking in the afterglow. It was by turns laugh-out-loud funny, and expository of political cynicism, so much a part of the times we live in.” US Marine, Texas

“I loved The Pitch. A great read, so imaginative, fun and relevant.” A brilliant adman, Melbourne.

“An engaging, entertaining, erudite fun read.”  Gentleman of leisure, formerly dentist, doctor and politician, NZ

“I read you book this week and loved it. I just hope I’m not James the planner. LOL.” A leading strategic planner, USA

“It’s actually quite good – and a little racy.”  MD and fashion leader, Australia

“It would be much better if you lost the first chapter.”  My father, France.

Now, if you haven’t ordered it yet and need to know more it’s a novel about climate change, advertising and politics, with an interesting sub plot featuring an imaginary dwarf who drives a limo. As I see this government’s cynical advertising campaign around climate action unfold I feel both depressed and vindicated.

The Pitch is available online at Amazon, Booktopia and other major retailers. It has very little to do with wine but if you get the e-book it’s much less than $20. If you order the paperback it should be about the same as the Oakridge Rosé, but it will last a lot longer.