Queensland wines on the nose for Kevin Rudd
By Emma Chalmers at the Courier Mail, May 15, 2009 12:00am
KEVIN Rudd has delivered a snub to the Queensland wine industry with not one bottle of plonk from our state in the vast prime ministerial cellar.
Every other wine-producing state in Australia is represented in the Prime Minister's liquor cabinet, which also includes offerings from France, New Zealand and Canada.
A stocktake of wine at The Lodge and Kirribilli House reveals both official residences have undiplomatically passed over Mr Rudd's home state when selecting a tipple for the Prime Minister and his guests.
An audit late last year revealed more than $20,000 of wine was stored at his residences - $6000 at Kirribilli at November 30 and $14,000 at The Lodge at December 19.
The cellars included a 1985 bottle of Dom Perignon champagne, worth up to $300, and a bottle of Bollinger Special Cuvee Non Vintage, as well as more affordable local wines.
The only Queensland drop behind the prime ministerial bar was Bundaberg Rum, the spirit lambasted by the Rudd Government during last year's alcopops debate.
The audit showed more than $23,000 was spent on wine in the 12 months to December.
The cellars were well prepared for a celebration with 246 bottles of Yellowglen Perle Sparkling bought at the modest $17.95 a pop.
Queensland-based Master of Wine Andrew Corrigan reviewed the diverse wine list for The Courier-Mail and concluded that a couple of Queensland bottles would not be out of place.
"Given the spread of choice there is clearly room for a Queensland wine – and, in terms of quality, there are several Queensland wine styles that would fit the list well," Mr Corrigan said.
"In particular, a verdelho (a white) and a red such as shiraz or possibly tempranillo would be appropriate.
"If you are doing a wine list for the Prime Minister, you'd probably generally go for classics – and you'd probably be looking at a balance of representation from (all) the states."
A spokeswoman for the Prime Minister said Mr Rudd "loves" Queensland products and did not select his own wine.
"Generally, wine for The Lodge and Kirribilli House is selected by house staff," the spokeswoman said.
"Wines may be selected by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet for state occasions.
"In either case, the Prime Minister plays no role in the selection.
"Like all proud Queenslanders, the Prime Minister loves Queensland produce."
KEVIN Rudd has delivered a snub to the Queensland wine industry with not one bottle of plonk from our state in the vast prime ministerial cellar.
Every other wine-producing state in Australia is represented in the Prime Minister's liquor cabinet, which also includes offerings from France, New Zealand and Canada.
A stocktake of wine at The Lodge and Kirribilli House reveals both official residences have undiplomatically passed over Mr Rudd's home state when selecting a tipple for the Prime Minister and his guests.
An audit late last year revealed more than $20,000 of wine was stored at his residences - $6000 at Kirribilli at November 30 and $14,000 at The Lodge at December 19.
The cellars included a 1985 bottle of Dom Perignon champagne, worth up to $300, and a bottle of Bollinger Special Cuvee Non Vintage, as well as more affordable local wines.
The only Queensland drop behind the prime ministerial bar was Bundaberg Rum, the spirit lambasted by the Rudd Government during last year's alcopops debate.
The audit showed more than $23,000 was spent on wine in the 12 months to December.
The cellars were well prepared for a celebration with 246 bottles of Yellowglen Perle Sparkling bought at the modest $17.95 a pop.
Queensland-based Master of Wine Andrew Corrigan reviewed the diverse wine list for The Courier-Mail and concluded that a couple of Queensland bottles would not be out of place.
"Given the spread of choice there is clearly room for a Queensland wine – and, in terms of quality, there are several Queensland wine styles that would fit the list well," Mr Corrigan said.
"In particular, a verdelho (a white) and a red such as shiraz or possibly tempranillo would be appropriate.
"If you are doing a wine list for the Prime Minister, you'd probably generally go for classics – and you'd probably be looking at a balance of representation from (all) the states."
A spokeswoman for the Prime Minister said Mr Rudd "loves" Queensland products and did not select his own wine.
"Generally, wine for The Lodge and Kirribilli House is selected by house staff," the spokeswoman said.
"Wines may be selected by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet for state occasions.
"In either case, the Prime Minister plays no role in the selection.
"Like all proud Queenslanders, the Prime Minister loves Queensland produce."
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