Ricky Gervais demands Barossa red on his tour rider
British actor and comedian Ricky Gervais revealed a particular bottle of wine from Australia’s Barossa Valley as part of his rider for a string of forthcoming tour dates across the UK and US.
Ricky Gervais is currently touring his latest stand-up comedy show Mortality, which examines “the absurdities of life and death”. Summing up the theme of the show, which he will be performing across the UK and United States over the coming months, he said: “We’re all gonna die. May as well have a laugh about it.”
Writing on Instagram to his 4.2 million followers Gervais further revealed: “I think Mortality is my most honest and personal show so far. I also seem to be making use of my Philosophy degree more than I ever have. Don’t worry though. There’s still loads of stuff about Hitler & wanking.”
Rider request
Gervais famously gave fellow celebs a dressing down in his role as host of the Golden Globes 2020, held at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles.
“If you do win an award tonight,” he told the crowd of A-Listers, “don’t use it as a platform to make a political speech. You’re in no position to lecture the public about anything. You know nothing about the real world. Most of you spent less time in school than Greta Thunberg. So if you win, come up, accept your little award, thank your agent and your god, and fuck off. OK…?”
The After Life star’s frustration with Hollywood pomposity appears to be reflected in his own humble choice of rider for his current comedy tour. Gervais posted a photo on Instagram of his must-have luxuries backstage, including a packet of KP Original nuts, a bowl of fruit and a bottle of red wine made by one of Australia’s historic producers. The bottle of Chateau Tanunda Grand Barossa Shiraz 2022 ignited the comments section with many picking up on his choice of drink.
“Gone full top shelf (at Tesco) with the bottle of Chateau Tanunda”, wrote @iandabean about the bottle, which retails for around £16.50 at the store.
“They definitely got the wine right. You can’t beat an Aussie red from the Barossa,” wrote @pineapplenanna, who was echoed by @bargearse75, who added: “On the South Australian nectar too…great stuff”.
“Red wine and KP peanuts are the most important thing,” posted @onemoremerlot.
“Got the wine right though!” wrote @p2andjc, with @sdandcats concurring: “Great wine choice”.
“I married my beautiful wife at Chateau Tanunda,” wrote @dustin_gravy_boat. “Hope you enjoy the red Ricky!”
However, not everyone was on board with the wine on Gervais’ rider with @kazzamill71 declaring: “Forget the Chateau Tanunda, get yourself a bottle of Rockfords Shiraz. Come to the Barossa and we’ll go on a wine tour together.”
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The Office creator’s social media post also sparked a competitive spirit from those based in other wine regions with @aremarshall posting: “We would get you much better wine than that if we could ever get you to the South of Africa Mr. Gervais. And then you won’t have plonk like that in your green room.”
Glass faux pas
Ricky Gervais quipped that the lighting on the fruit provided by the venue was “all wrong”. However, his followers were more concerned with another travesty, and were quick to lambast the Albany Arena in St Albans, UK, for the wine glass it supplied the comedian.
“Forget about the fruit! What about that hideous glass for wine!” wrote @ivka8x.
“And a shit wine glass!!!” commented @hackslifeeasy.
“I mean that’s not the worst part,” @born.snob commented in response to the garish lighting on the fruit. “What is that glass? Definitely not a Riedel. Un-fucking-believable.”
“Terrible glass for a Mega Star,” added @carolinedisomma.
Others criticised Gervais for requesting a wine with a screwcap. “Is that a screwcap I detect?” asked @stoutpigs, while another fan appeared to misunderstand the concept of ageability in wine. “The wine’s three years past its sell-by-date,” they wrote in reference to the 2022 vintage.
Having seen the comedian’s post, Chateau Tanunda itself replied: “Salted nuts and fruit is not our first wine and food match for our Grand Barossa Shiraz, but we will take it @rickygervais”.
Vodka man
Further commentators weighed in, pointing out that the wine should have been replaced with a bottle of Dutch Barn vodka, which Gervais co-owns.
“Shiraz? Had you down as a vodka man!” wrote @annajoyss.
Gervais bought into Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka, made from apples in North Yorkshire, in November 2023. The 40% ABV spirit retails for about £30 and its distinctive brown bottle was chosen because it uses a higher percentage of recycled glass than light glass.
Mortality comes to Leicester Square Theatre on 22 May 2025, and the show will also be available to watch on Netflix soon. To find out more about Chateau Tanunda, check out our feature on the comeback of Australian fine wine here.
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