DUMB PERIGNON
Housing minister who should be sorting out the fiasco is too busy reviewing champagne
A MINISTER whose department is supposed to be tackling the cladding scandal has advised voters to glug £174-a-bottle champagne while awaiting the rollout of the Covid vaccine.
Housing minister Chris Pincher said Krug Grand Cru Cuvée would act as ‘an alternative vaccine until the real thing provides more permanent inoculation against the memory of last year’.
In an article for The Critic magazine, Mr Pincher wrote: ‘In the land of shimmering champers, at least in my opinion, Krug is king.’
He recommended the 166th edition of the Grand Cru Cuvée – a champagne blended annually using more than 120 wines from ten different vintages.
Writing in this month’s edition, Mr Pincher said: ‘Since 1843, six generations of the family have devoted themselves to Joseph Krug’s mission to make the essence of champagne “pleasure itself”. With the Grand Cru Cuvée (166th) it is difficult to disagree. This wine fair dances in its glass; it is nearly as much fun to watch as it is to drink.
‘It is ideal for lifting the spirit and lighting up a darkening winter afternoon.
‘So, if you have the chance, or the wherewithal to buy a bottle, these bubbles will brighten your family bubble and provide an alternative vaccine until the real thing provides more permanent inoculation against the memory of last year.’
Labour housing spokesman Mike Amesbury said: ‘Every dot and comma of this column lays bare how totally out of touch this Government is. While people across the country worry about rising Covid infections and the recession caused by the Government’s dither and delay, one minister was writing articles recommending they buy £170 bottles of champagne to “lift spirits”.
‘Chris Pincher should be fixing the massive problems facing leaseholders, rising homelessness and those in desperate need of quality housing, not trying to flog luxury wines.’
Mr Pincher has a regular wine column in The Critic.
According to the Commons register of interests, he earned £1,200 for writing six articles for the magazine in the past year. He donated £400 of this to charity.
The minister declined to comment last night.