I have to make a confession.  I love bottle shops, well I love shops in general but I especially love Australian Bottle Shops and really, only the wine section. 

Yes, I love the actual wine.  But more than that, I love that it’s like walking down memory lane.   Wine labels bring back memories.  Meals eaten, trips taken, holidays and adventures with friends.  It all comes flooding back when I wander the aisles of Vintage Cellars and look at the bottles.

I went to go pick up a bottle of wine to drink once we get to the Hunter Valley this evening (I know, it’s like bringing sand to the beach) but it’s a long drive in Friday afternoon traffic, and we’ll be thirsty when we get there.

As I looked at the bottles on the shelves, I felt like I was looking at a window to the past.  There was the bottle of Wirra Wirra Church Block which reminded me of a trip to South Australia with a group of friends.  It was a fantastic trip and a load of fun, but also when my friend’s (now) husband spilled the beans and told me that he was planning to propose.  I saw a bottle from Martinborough Vineyard in New Zealand, which reminded me of a trip nearly 10 years ago when my mom and I hired a car and drove from Wellington to Auckland.  It was before I drove all the time on the “wrong” side of the road, and I remember the car had a big sticker on the dashboard reminding me to “keep left”.  There was a bottle of Voyager Estate “Girt By Sea” that reminded me of Margaret River- and The Runner’s first Ironman race and a bottle of Vasse Felix that reminded me of the lunch we had after.  I could go on and on.

 The best thing about wine, is that it’s usually shared with friends…..usually!  And sharing with friends creates memories.  This weekend, we’re off to the Hunter (again) with 3 other friends and we can’t wait!