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

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/pol...icle355184.ece


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:
http://www.fco.gov.uk/Files/kfile/Mi...0Feb%20041.htm

Bill Davy wrote:
> 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
>
> http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/pol...icle355184.ece
>
>
> 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:
> http://www.fco.gov.uk/Files/kfile/Mi...0Feb%20041.htm
>
>



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

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/20...?from=storyrhs


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.

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.

In article >,
says...
>
>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
>
>http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/pol...icle355184.ece
>
>
>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:
>http://www.fco.gov.uk/Files/kfile/Mi...0Feb%20041.htm

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

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Hunt wrote:

> 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'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

Hunt wrote:
> Clinton seems to have been fond of an AZ cuvee, Buena
> Suerte from Callaghan Cellars in Elgin, AZ.

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.

"Bill Davy" > wrote in message
...
> 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
>
> http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/pol...icle355184.ece
>
>
> 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:
> http://www.fco.gov.uk/Files/kfile/Mi...0Feb%20041.htm
>
When Liz hosted a state banquet for Chirac at Windsor Castle (it were on the
telly, like) she served a 2nd Growth: Léoville Poyferré, IIRC.
Graham

On Wed, 5 Apr 2006 10:53:26 +0100
"Bill Davy" > wrote:

> 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
>
> http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/pol...icle355184.ece
>
>
> 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:
> http://www.fco.gov.uk/Files/kfile/Mi...0Feb%20041.htm
>
>

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

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