Stuart Cumming | 17th December 2009

Tim Mulherin, State Government representative Bruce Turner and Childers wine maker Terrance Byrne listen to wine industry discussions.

THE minister for Queensland’s burgeoning wine industry admitted he was partial to the best drops the state had to offer at an industry meeting in Toowoomba yesterday.

Primary Industries Minister Tim Mulherin joined in discussions between local, state and national wine industry representatives at the Toowoomba Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.

He said the main focus was finding ways to educate Queensland wine drinkers about the quality product coming from their own state.

The Wine Industry Action Plan, detailing strategies to improve the industry in the next two years was also launched.

“We produce less than one per cent of the nation’s wine but Queenslanders consume 18 per cent of national wine production,” Mr Mulherin said.

Jimbour Wines sales manager Brian Madden agreed it was important to get more Queenslanders drinking Queensland wine.

“We will work with all stakeholders who have an interest in driving the change in the perception of Queensland wines,” Mr Madden said.

He said there was a largely unjustified tendency for people to turn their noses up at wines from the sunshine state.

“But we have had exponential growth in the last four or five years.”