What Wine Does Your Government Buy?

Sadly, we English are not to be trusted with such information. Moreover, the Government claims that revealing exactly what it has, and how much, could disrupt the entire market for fine wines

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However, if your governemnt reveals what wine it buys, that argument can be demolished.

Occasionally one gets a glimpse of a rather sociable committee meeting:

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Reply to
Bill Davy
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Australia. John and Janette Howard [the prime minister and her husband, little political in-joke there for Australians] obviously aren't big wine buffs.

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It was reasonably big in the news at the time, whether they've updated and / or upscaled since then I'm not sure.

They're quite happy shelling out tens of thousands for furniture, accomodation etc etc etc and even paying a wine consultant thousands of dollars though. Its a double edged sword though, nice to see them not wasting more money for dodgy dudes getting liquored up on fine wine, but on the other hand a bit embarressing to see international dignitaries alledgedly getting second rate $10 wines.

Seems to me the wine consultant didn't do a very good job.

I could have done a better job for much less, and calling me an expert would render many ppl ill from prolonged laughter.

Reply to
Mat

Hm-m-m, maybe I need to secure an invitation to Lancaster House, next time I'm in London.

I would suspect that much of the stash of wine in the UK (under gov. control) would be Claret and Port, given history.

I do not know that the US gov. has an "official" wine stash. From time to time, we hear of what is being served at the White House, as the Official wine(s), but that is about all. Some of the wines have surprised me quite a bit. Past-President, Clinton seems to have been fond of an AZ cuvee, Buena Suerte from Callaghan Cellars in Elgin, AZ. Without getting political, it may be the best that I can say for his administration. I do not know if the Bush White House has an Official Wine, given the "drinking issues," within the Presidency - maybe some of the up-n-coming Texas wines?

Interesting stuff, Hunt

Reply to
Hunt

I've been in at least four or five wineries here in California which had letters from the White House thanking them for their wines, used at official state dinners.

None of these were top-rated wineries in my book; one makes strictly undrinkable dreck, as far as I'm concerned.

Curt

Reply to
Curt Wohlgemuth

Arizona isn't known for much of it's wines but Callaghan does produce some excellent wines and the Cuvee has IMHO is a top notch wine at a bargain price.

Reply to
miles

Fascinating Bill. Thanks. I looked on google to try and find out what the French gov drinks (aside from French of course) but couldn't find much. I did see that the senate, assembly, prime minister and presidents palaces all have their own collections. An article on michelin interviewing some senator intimated that (naturally) the senate's list is the envy of the others. The only thing they mention is that they are looking in "new" regions and have a Condrieu (forget which one) and a La Nerthe CdP blanc.

I'd be fascinated to get a look at the cellar list for the Elysée Palace, anyone have any more info?

-E

Reply to
Emery Davis

Yes, little Johnnie doesn't know much about his wine does he. What a shame, couldn't he show a little more interest? Surely it has some sort of impact on the industry, and opportunities must be lost in promoting the best of Australian wine.

Reply to
josh.yeats

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