QUEENSLAND WINE GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFT

Wine Industry Development Minister Margaret Keech today invited Queenslanders to consider buying local wines as a Christmas present for family and friends.

Mrs Keech said there was a wide range of quality wines from which to choose.

“Queensland produces many, many top quality wines at competitive prices,” she said.

“Results achieved at national and international wine shows confirms the improving quality of our product.

“More and more Queenslanders are trying our wines, and are pleasantly surprised by what they find.

“There are a multitude of wines produced by a multitude of wineries from our wine-producing regions.

“Quality reds, whites and fortifieds – there’s something for every palate.”

Mrs Keech said buying Queensland wine as a gift was a great way to help the local industry, and generate jobs for Queenslanders.

“To many people, Queensland wine is a big secret,” she said.

“It’s time to spread the word that there are many great Queensland wines available, and there’s no better time to do that than during the festive season.

“One of the aims of the Queensland Wine Strategy is to convince Queenslanders to try local wines, and to sell our product to the nation, and the world.

“The converts – and there are many wine buffs among them – will tell you our best wines are the equal of those produced in much more traditional wine-producing regions.”

Mrs Keech said Queensland wineries and wine regions were listed on the Department of Tourism, Fair Trading and Wine Industry Development website, www.dtftwid.qld.gov.au. Go to Wine Industry Development and then click on wineries and regions.

Media contact: David Smith 3225 1005 / 0409 496 534