These days the wine industry caters for all tastes, and anyone can have an opinion. Yet, we can enhance our appreciation by learning a little more about viticulture.
Comedian Merrick Watts – “winner” of SAS Australia 2020 – is here to help. He effervescently guides us through a wine tasting, blended with his varietal knowledge and some related stories, in An Idiot’s Guide to Wine.
Watts has a qualification in wine appreciation and education, so he calls himself both the idiot and the expert. Across the hour he consistently delighted the audience’s palate with a tasting of six wines.
Each was accompanied by titbits such as suggested (sometimes amusingly bizarre) food pairings, or historical facts, such as how rosé had surprisingly macho devotees.
The wine choices, from some of Australia’s leading producers in premium areas, were high quality. Some selections had gnarly twists that seem sure to stimulate conversation.
Alongside the wine appreciation aspect, the audience lapped up Watts’ wine-related anecdotes and riffing, which sometimes earned big laughs.
An Idiot’s Guide to Wine is a confidently assembled, snappily paced wine tour. You even get to keep the tasting glass, made by local manufacturer Plumm.
The show is a limited release (only two MICF performances remain) that surely cries out for another vintage.
Merrick Watts: An Idiot’s Guide To Wine
The Famous Spiegeltent at Arts Centre Melbourne, 100 St Kilda Road, Melbourne
Performance: Friday 1 April 2022 – 6.15pm
Season continues to 3 April 2022
Information and Bookings: www.artscentremelbourne.com.au
Image: Merrick Watts (supplied)
Review: Jason Whyte