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 is performing across the UK and United States, 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 frustrations with Hollywood pomposity are seemingly reflected in his own 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 his wine choice 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." Gervais' choice of wine also sparked a competitive spirit from 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 to him 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 choice of wine glass they 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," @biorn.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 some pointed 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. Mortality comes to Leiecester Square Theatre next on 22 May 2025. It will also be available to watch on Netflix soon.