"The total value of the wine currently held in Bute House is £2,238. Over half this amount is for 122 bottles of two different qualities of Cava (£1,027.44) and eight bottles of champagne (£185.10). The remainder of the wine stock consists largely of four cases of Fair Trade wine at approximately £4.50 per bottle (£216), 16 bottles of 2000 St. Aubin Blanc Prudhon at £13.49 per bottle (£216) and 28 bottles of 1999 Rasteau Rouge Gourt de Mautens at £18.50 per bottle (£518). Fine wines are served at the most important occasions held in Bute House.
The other alcoholic drinks held in small quantities are: Gordon's gin, Smirnov vodka, Grouse whisky, Bacardi rum, brandy, Drambuie, Macallan and Balvenie malts, sherry and 2 vintage ports. These are used for formal pre-dinner/lunch drinks and for serving as liqueurs where appropriate. It is not possible to give an accurate valuation as some were purchased many years
ago, some bottles are half-full etc.
In addition, we hold Scottish still and sparkling water and mixers, tonic water, coca cola etc.
All the drinks mentioned are paid for from the First Minister's official hospitality budget and
are used for official receptions, dinners and lunches held in Bute House that are being paid for from the same budget."
Two questions:
So the First Minister has 122 bottles of Cava to serve his guests at an average cost of about £8.50 a bottle. Does this not make him a bit of a cheapskate? I mean, who serves Cava to guests?
Secondly, which guests get the decent wine at £13.49 or £18.50 a bottle and which get the plonk at £4.50 a bottle?
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