Alas poor Gladys, we knew her well.

Indeed we loved Gladys.

Even people who didn’t vote for her, loved her.

But typically, people are blowing this whole ICAC thing out of proportion, not the least Peter Dutton and, um, that other bloke with the bald head.

Every man and his dog, including Blind Freddy, could see that Gladys was corrupt. She said so herself “Pork barrelling is a dish best served…in marginal electorates”, and we would

Criminal Minds (Riverland) ‘partners in crime’ Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2021, $18. Okay, Gladys wasn’t criminal but we don’t know about her ex yet. Meanwhile the marketing team had a day out with this range. More puns per centimetre than a Daily Telegraph headline.

Amazingly serviceable have elected her again regardless and she would be remembered as yet another larrikin Liberal who bent the rules when no-one was looking, or in this case, even when we were.

Australians are not averse to crooks and corruption. Just look at Ned Kelly, notorious bushranger, if failed boilermaker, or latterly, Alan Bond, notorious shyster and failed businessman, whom people still said nice things about stuff. 9.1/10. Criminal Minds SA ‘of special interest’ Double Pass Shiraz, 2021, $18. Could have called this one “Daryl”. More marketing mirth which encourages great dinner party games like fnd any puns not appearing on these bottles. At 15 per cent much mirth will be derived from a very dinner-party friendly at his funeral despite having pinched half a billion dollars from mum and dad investors.

No, Mr Dutton, we didn’t mind Glad’s corruption, specially the 50 or so club members of the Royal Pistol, Gun and Rife Lovers Club of Wagga Wagga for whom $7million smackeroos was just enough to lure them back to the gold-plated clubhouse for some booze after a hard day shooting roos shiraz. 9.3/10.

Castle Rock

Porongurup ‘diletti’ Pinot Noir 2022, $50. What better wine than something called ‘a little pleasure’ to go with a little schadenfreude? And could you fnd something more starkly contrasting with Daryl Maguire than a suave and sophisticated pinot? 9.4/10.

Castle Rock

Coalition types are just miffed that every time ICAC gets in its sights one of the union-bully types it was supposed to expose, a bloody Liberal or National Party plonker jumps in front of the barrel and gets their foot shot off. You’d think gun-toting Nats would be better shots wouldn’t you? Specially with $7million dollars to spruce up HQ. No, it’s not about the corruption, and it seems unlikely anyone will cancel

Porongurup ‘a&w’

Pinot Noir 2022, $55. What’s fve bucks extra when you’re spending 50 on wine? Well, quite a bit but it comes down to personal tastes. Unfortunately mine align with the makers, so I have to pay more. That’s how it works. $5 worth of extra body. 9.5/10.

Pewsey Vale Eden Valley The Contours their Optus account because of the ICAC report, we still love Gladys…but we also have standards, and frankly Daryl Maguire just didn’t measure up. Spoiled it for everyone.

Gladys could have sold the Harbour Bridge and taken a commission without anyone caring, if only she had better taste in men.

Revolting is a word that springs to many minds,

(Single Vineyard Estate) Riesling 2013, $40. This is Pewsey Vale’s big cheese and although it’s 10 years old, tastes fuller rather than older and you can see why it’s an industry icon, and judging by this release, will be for decades to come. It’s a bargain at $52, which makes the latest release even more so at $40.

Max Crus

disgusting a close second, but the word corrupt, even at Dazza’s level, comes a fair way down the list. However as much as Aussies don’t mind a bit of corruption, in the right hands, we also don’t mind a bit of schadenfreude and wielding a pair of secateurs. Now, what’s a good wine to go with a dish garnished with poppies?

9.6/10.

Pewsey Vale Eden Valley 1961 Block (Single Vineyard Estate) Riesling 2022, $35. You’ve missed the boat to get this for someone born in 1961’s 60th, but another 8 years won’t do it any harm for their 70th. Just look at the old Contours, the wine that is. 9.4/10.