[...] did you think we paid taxes for? It costs money to run a government and to serve five hundred dollar bottles of wine at a dinner party for world leaders meeting to discuss the…. Taxes and the redistribution of them are helping us get by right now. Without taxes, there’s no [...]

[...] sipped Shafer Hillside Select 2003, a $250 Napa cab (find this wine). This raised the hackles of bloggers at CNN (perhaps because they could only find it for $500?). The era of the teatotaler-in-chief is soon [...]

Do you people think that someone from the WH went out and purchased this wine before the meal? It was in the White House CELLAR – i.e., already purchased. And to piggyback on what others have already said, if you were entertaining members of the G20 in your home, would you serve them Yellowtail and Velveeta & Crackers?

Its no wonder many journalist (and I use that word very lightly) are afraid to admit what they do when asked their occupation. This isn't news and if this is the best that Becky Brittan can do she should cover local junior high cafeterias lunches…"PrincipalAdams had two, not one, but two taxpayer lunches today for free"!!! Oh the outrage this will cause at the PTA meeting! Where is the connected story about the Obamas champagne and caviar dining during the bailout talks? Pathetic!

Wine? With the King of Saudi Arabia present? Tsk tsk.

[...] Source:  CNN Political Ticker [...]

[...] the "financial crisis" over $500 bottles of wine CNN Political Ticker: All politics, all the time Blog Archive – World leaders dine in style as they … [...]

Even though Hillside Select does sell in restaurants for as much as $500, and is very hard to find. Many fine wine makers donate cases of wine to the White House every year, so they can say their wine is being served there. Chances go this wine did not cost the taxpayers anything.

Why is this a shock? Politicians dine like this on a daily basis. Catered events and comped meals are the norm.

[...] because you're coming to Washington during a once-in-a-generation economic crisis, that doesn't mean you have to scrimp on the parties: (CNN) – The global economy may be undergoing a significant downturn, but the White House's [...]

For Pete's sake; the president and his family don't even drink! Give it a rest.

the economic crisis is not intended to negatively affect the elite. That would be absurd. That would be like Al Gore living his life as though global warming were a reality…

Those of you worried about feeding your kids or losing your jobs should not be wasting your time worrying about the price of wine at the G-20 summit. You think Obama would be serving anything less? Nope. Would this article even have been printed? Nope again. Media and miserable complainers – "GROW UP!"

[...] are set to dine in style Friday night while sipping wine listed at nearly $500 a bottle". World leaders dine in style as they discuss financial crisis At least is is good Kynesian policy, but the general marginal propensity to consume may have [...]

The saddest part of all this is that CNN would make this an issue. The only purpose of doing so is to feed the anger by some in the country. There are plenty of reasons for citizens to be angry, but this is not one of them. Shame on CNN.

[...] leaders in DC to discuss the economic crisis dined like kings.  And they washed it down with Shaffer Carbernet Hillside Select, 2003, which goes for up to $400 [...]

With a little research, in 2005 they served the Queen "1994 Hillside Select", excellent age. Now in 2008 their serving "2003″, too young. My question, there seems to be some vintages missing, like six years of, wheres it at. Maybe a ranch in Texas?

Just remember how the Roman Empire collapsed – it's being revisited, courtesy of the "successful" businessman turned President, George Bush.

I have a suggestion of what to do with the empty bottles!!! (WINK!)

I am one of the many who can not wait for jan 20th…however this is so much of a non issue its not even funny. At least it is an American made wine, so lets say that they did actually buy it a couple of years ago for their wine cellar, at least they put that money back into the U.S economy!! It's the president of the united states of america…i am very sure that there is much more expensive wines, cognacs, ports, and champanges in that cellar…and trust me i could care less!!!

Clerly you all are missing the point. This is a great vintage, but it's too soon to drink it. It would be best in another five years. Looks like to me, their drinking all the good stuff, so it won't be there for the next President.

This is a non-story. Thanks for playing.

Hey because of the Economic crises this may be the last good meal they
get.
BON APPETITE
WATCH CBS 60 minutes of the week before election.
It shows how 8 years back Congress fell in love with wall street
and all "outdated" regulatory laws and a new york gambling law
was removed so the financial institutions could do whatever they wanted and traders not get in troubleThat was the Goldilocks economy of irrational exuberance.Today it is the three bears.
Heavily regulated indian banks have escaped this problem
It is going to take a long time for market to recover.BBCnews has been predicting this for 2 years.
A U.S.Financial expert said that there are usually 2 types of Market
rebound One a V shaped and one is U shaped.This particular one is
a L shaped.
The market bounce according to the British is the bounce of a dead cat
By the way it is not thanksgiving yet and we have so many turkeys at the
white house.GOBBLE GOBBLE

So do I understand right that Germany is a developing country? Surprise, surprise

I am appalled, if they think over dinner and a bottle of wine, they are impressing me (never mind the cost of the wine) Each of the G20 heads should have been having meetings with thier top economic and financial advisors, about what specifics they were going to propose based on the pre communications, between all those governments which were no doubt variable ideas to see what was at least remotely common, pursue those and get consensus on at least three or four key points and act, and identify others for further discussion.. They are managing one of the globes major catastrophes and behaving as though a fancy dinner is more important and criticising rightly the greed elsewhere.
Personally, I have been a CEO and given up more free lunches and dinners than I care to recall for much lower level crises with which these guys have to currently deal.
Who is paying? The taxpayer from all G20 countries.
We want accountabilty and action not dinners that only re-state pre-conceived diplomatic positions…. and do not help find the common ground in my experience, only cloud the issues often based on misinterpretations of what someone said when half drunk at worst or an incorrect interpretation of a casual conversational remark in a basically informal environment.
The pouting by Bush about free markets is pathetic, no one believes they should be eliminated, but simply regulated against excessive risk and greed.
Regards,
Hodgson.

Exactly "Catholicmom4Obama," I'm sure Barrack will be serving his guests Sutter Home Cab Sav with Cheezits. Give me a break, just because the general public switches from Jiffy to Food Lion brand peanut butter during a recession doesn't mean that the president can't serve wine from the whitehouse cellar that was bought God knows how long ago and happens to be $500/bottle. Yet another example of how the media in this country highlights the smallest detail to rile up the poplulous to drag someone's reputation through the dirt. I don't support Bush either but come on, I have a bottle of maker's mark in my liquor cabinet i bought 6 months ago, does this mean I can't serve it to my house guests in good taste? Grow up people…

Cry me a river! What do you expect them to serve, Bud light and water?? Am I the only one who finds this retarded? Why don't you put those world leaders up in Motel 6 while you are at it…Get a grip already!

Laura picked the wine ; George picked his nose

How would a president understand poverty when he or she has never ever been poor. shame on the world leaders,

So? Frankly, they're all world leaders or at least very high up in their government, so they're earned the right. Do you expect them to drink Beringer White Zinfandel at a world economic summit?

It's a meeting of world leaders, what did you expect them to serve…cans of Pepsi and Doritos?

I bet Bush and his daddy drink NIGHT TRAIN or BOONES FARM, out of a brown paper bag when they are on the front porch in Crawford, Texas, telling each other war stories about their flying days…Bush Junior, shot down over 100 beer cans in one nasty dog fight…That was before he went AWOL from the Air National Guard. To avoid going to Vietnam..

For M Jones …190 dollars is a lot of money…every think with that bottle you drink you could have save a starving childs life for the whole year

George Bush was an alcholic before…wish he had stayed an alcholic. Would have saved the country a lot of trouble. Hope you find your taste for wine again George

Hey if I owned a winery I would probably give some away to get it served at a White House dinner/

I'm not a fan of the current administration, but this form of shoddy journalism has to stop. What a crap commentary.

why don't you all get a life, get a job, and go on with your lives!

Did Laura, and ding-dong, serve FORTUNE COOKIES at the end to???

World leaders or not, drinking expensive wine at such an event is in poor taste.

As Rome burned, Nero fiddled.

Harris

Someone should have run out to Trader Joes and got some Two Buck Chuck ($2.00).

Geez $500 bucks a bottle, I hope it was good. They could have gotten nice tasting wine for $30.00.

A disgrace I tell ya.

these are signs of socialism… expect more of this in obama regime.
"if you have a limosine, I should have a right to have rollce royce"

How did this poor reporter get tasked with the most stupid subject matter on the planet? I, as a taxpayer, expect my government to represent itself in the most sophisticated and professional manner possible when bringing world leaders into our country. To do anything less would be insulting to them, and insulting to us. I am sick and tired of seeing these whiny people complain about the behaviors of what they call "the rich" (which is anyone who makes more than they do apparently)……funny how that goes until suddenly they find themselves considered "rich" because they worked hard and worked smart. Then they get to see someone else complain about their "excesses". Stop whining about everyone elses expenditures and get yourself a career. If you can't find one, start a new business. It's the American Way.

tomorrow its shake and bake cutlets and string bean caserole for me….

really these people need to know how the americans really eat.

I guess when the president has a 24% approval rating, he doesn't care what we think. I mean c'mon, afterall this is America

It is a disgrace that our government cannot understand the basic principle of leading by example. These are tough economic times we are facing: unemployment is rising, millions of Americans have lost a significant portion of the value of their 401-k retirement accounts, and the sense of uncertainty about the immediate economic future is impacting the entire nation. While it is understandable that the White House has a responsibility to represent the nation to the world, it is unwise to present such a disconnect with the realty of mainstream America. While the taxpayers are facing basic bread and butter issues: affording health insurance, worrying about their job, and wondering how to pay the bills in response to rising prices, the government serves $500 bottles of wine to dinner guests. This reminds of someone who once said let them eat cake. Truly unwise.

This walking, talking, moron, fool, will be gone in 65 more days..As a going away gift for him I suggest everybody in the country send him a big bag of PRETZELS..With any luck at all he will choke to death on another one. This fool cant walk and chew gum..

Canada has one of the most stable financial systems in the world right now and we are grouped under "developing economies"??

Why not. This is the president of the free world.

Tony,

You are looking at "RETAIL" pricing which is, obviously, marked up from distributor pricing.

Try again.

So what us new…This IDIOT had been drunk most of his life…THANK GOD he will be gone in 65 days..

ROGER I have my facts straight. I understand far more than you may think about California wine and vintages. Also, I never said this wine was awful, I said the vintage was awful. 2003 was one of the worst vintages in CA in a decade, that is a fact.

You may be the kind of person who would buy a wine like this for 250 dollars but that would only mean you don't look for the best price. Shafer Hillside is currently in its 2005 vintage so the far inferior 2003 would be priced accordingly.

But, please keep hitting me with the hard facts and I will leave out the fact that I work for the largest fine wine company in the world.

Regards,

Good grief. Is this all you can find to WHINE about!!!!!!!!

$500 a bottle! Are you kidding. This wine is available all over the place for $200 a bottle. That's a decent price for an outstanding wine to represent the US to the rest of the world. I suppose some people would prefer that we serve hot dogs or hamburgers to our guests with a boxed wine because we have some moral responsibility to under prividleged group(s) who unfortunately will always be with us.

Sounds like a real Happy Meal to me…. hope all the guests get toy with their Happy Meal.

P.S. I take left overs…just call me and I will come right over :-}

I drink $500 a bottle wine. Its the White House, and we are the most powerful nation on the planet. They should have something nicer.

Obamabots, this is not a socialist state – get it through your heads.

Are you whiners also upset that the owner of your company lives in a bigger house, drives a better car, and eats far better than many of the employees? And I'm talking regular companies, not the AIG execs type. Never mind that they, like oh, let's see…the President of the United States… meet with far more important people than the average consumer (who is still important but cannot make global decisions). Even when thousands more were in much worse financial situations during the Depression, FDR still served nice meals, with nice drink, drove nice cars, and wore nice clothes than the average citizen. I am not yet won-over by President-elect Obama; I have a wait and give him a chance attitude. But even he will host very pricey functions that are important to the job he was elected to do. I'm a non-drinker and even I don't have a problem with the price of the wine. Totally a non-issue!

The wine didn't cost anywhere near that much when it was purchased at wholesale prices and may have even been released prematurely by the vintner giving the current owner. It has been cellared all this time, most likely at the White House, and obviously has matured into a very nice wine.

May I congratulate the White House sommelier on such a clever purchase?

This story is of interest only to those of us who are interested in wine and food pairings. It is not a demonstration of overspending on the part of the current First Lady (the hostess, after all), our current President OR his administration.

Do you think serving world leaders Big Macs would really improve our international image?

Sadly enough, it is the people living off government money that are complaining about this. The wealthiest in the world deserve to drink well. And as previous posts have mentioned, please note that this was taken from the White House wine cellar. From a cellar with probably 1k+ bottles of wine, these bottles were probably purchased at $50 many years ago. Any intelligent person would know that wine prices increase exponentially with age. A wine can be $50 when you buy it, and cost over $300 within 5 years.

Becky- You are the type of journalist that deteriorates the reputation of a powerful media source such as CNN. You should be ashamed by your reporting. Also, out of curiosity, how much did you expense for wine the last time you went out to a business dinner? For me, a medium waged 25yr old, I spent $250 a bottle. I'm sure your bloated salary (because you've obviously proved you're not worth your salary) affords higher priced wines than my salary.

Poor reporting for sensationalism & page views.

Wine can be had for $200 per bottle or less, and since its from their cellar, it was probably bought for less. Hardly outrageous!!!

If anything, the reporting should be about why they picked a poor vintage. Everyone knows that 2003 in Napa was poor.

To the people who defended this obscene stupidy– you just don't get it, do you? Just like George Bush doesn't get it, or the GOP doesn't get it. People are scrimping & doing without just to pay their mortgage payment & put basic food on the table & enough gas in the car to get to work. They don't want to hear about somebody drinking $500 bottles of wine at the taxpayers expense. My family is in the top 5% of taxpayers in this country (at least according to the IRS) but I still find such lavish spending (particularly at an economic meeting) to be disgusting and an affront to the people of this country. I can afford to spend that $500 for a bottle of wine, but I would NEVER do it because it is pure & simple stupidity.

No to Judas!

Obama would be lucky to have Hillary as SOS.

Adding insult to injury———No wonder we're in the shape we're in. George W Nero fiddles and dines while Rome (USA) burns.
Disgraceful at best-

Maybe we are just being a little overly sensitive when faced with foreclosure on our homes to watch as our President serves $500 bottles of wine to his dinner guests. I mean, couldn't he have found something a little less expensive – I mean, I don't expect him to serve the wine I can afford ($8.99), but I would appreciate them being a little more sensitive to what the taxpayers are going through right now. …especially since they have gathered to discuss the bad world economy.

Not surprising for a Bush event.
Hopefully Obama will show common sense restraint and drink $50 per bottle wine

So while I buy my clothes from Target (and from Kohl's if I want to splurge), the Republican National Committee is spending $150,000 to outfit Sarah Palin and her family.

While my wife and I scrimp to take our family out for a nice dinner at Denny's, our world leaders are eating (and drinking) like kings at the White House.

What's next? Are we going to learn that while I was paying more than four bucks a gallon this summer to drive to and from work, the Bush administration's buddies at the oil companies were making more in salary than some Third World Countries' annual GDP?

first of all: it is a 1.5 liter bottle! come on, people, the article mentions the source, wine.com, that's just 8 keystrokes away

second: this is an exceptionally stupid article

it reminds me of the garbage that is churned out in the european press

how much is an hour of a top world leader worth? remember to count transportation of the full court, protection, opportunity cost, blah blah

oh, still don't think the price of the wine drowns in comparison?

how much is at stake at this meeting? imagine e.g. that the outcome can prolong or shorten a global recession by 3 months

how many seconds of global recession is 5 x 500 dollars?

jeez

Whew! at least they didn't serve him any arugula… wouldn't want them to think we were elitists, or anything.

Next year, Obama can make his chili w/a side of mac & cheese. They'll love it…

This sounds more like a going away party let them eat drink and be merry!

I don't see why the menu at the White House is news worthy unless it has a direct effect on the global financial crisis, which it does not. Would the crisis be eased and confidence restored to the financial communy if the White House served hot dogs and baked bean?

Considering you're hosting leaders from around the World, it is absolutely appropriate for the White House to host their guests well and serve a fine wine. Do you really expect the wealthiest nation in the World to serve Coke and potato chips?

Great !!!

Go down with style. Why Bush is giving advice to the world about the crisis though. Since the USA got everyone screw up.

This is such a stupid article written to try to stir up trouble. This wine does not retail at $500. Wine.com is a reseller, it is like buying scalped concert tickets. I but this wine directly from the winery for $190 a bottle every year. This is someone just trying to get a stir out of everyone – and it seems to have worked.

GA resident: No, what is making people cynical about politicians is, well, politicians!

Good grief. WHO CARES?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

They are the leaders of the planet. They are going to drink good wine. I think our $10,000,000,000,000 economy can afford a bottle of wine or two. Even on a bad day.

CNN, get a grip… THIS IS NOT NEWS.

Thank God, only a few more days of this administration. This has been the most incompetent band of fools I've ever seen in my life! From Brownie to Bushie, they all need some serious help on the mental front.

Clearly a poorly reseached price point.

Pick up a bottle for less than $150 online and, if your state permits such shipments, you can be drinking what an abstaining lame duck serves world leaders.

Are you kidding me, 500 $ for a bottle of wine? I wanna know how many bottles they went through and how much the dinner cost .Probably enough to feed a struggling family for a year if not more.

Was it donated to the Bush WH by the OIL industry?

Waste of time… I thought this was going to be about CEOs or something. Freaking most powerful country in the World and this author wants us to serve boxed wine from Walmart.

This story is so stupid. It's not about the wine or its cost it's the impression we need to make. Leaders lead and followers follow. At this time we need leadership, I hope they consumed the correct direction,

Becky, are you really stupid? You should be the first one to be fired in current economy for such a poor article where you didnt even attempt to do research.
( a ) wine is available for less then $200 in many retail shops. you can just do "google" search if you know what i mean
( b ) for cellars, wines must have bought years ago when it wasnt aged..something like at about 50-60$

Simply, a lack of leadership again.

Wow…It's quite sickening to read about the money we work so hard to earn going towards $500 bottles of wine…

I bet if we all stopped paying taxes they would finally listen. It would take at least half the country to really make the impact.

Absolutely appalling. Even at a reduced price, it's a complete insult to the American public, those of us who have paid for this nice vintage. While I am still looking for a job after being laid off, I truly hope they enjoy every last drop – drops of which I paid for…

I likes that.

How about feeding these idiots some hotdogs or spaghetti. Or better yet, TV Dinners.

The current global economy crisis has been created by at least two world leaders in a very sophisticated way so that they will be the only successful in the market arena and the rest of the world will remind messy forever…Oops!

Let Bush enjoy his last days in Office.
And, why did Bush hosted or even initiated a summit meeting during his numbered days in office?
We call it mignight grabbing of power.
He (Bush) has no more rights to even call worldwide attention when all the world leaders have already known the results of the 2008 elections and of Bush unfavorable ratings worldwide.
He cannot even use his Air Force One, or his limo or Marine 1. He has to transport all his White House belongings in a commercial transportation system.
Bye Bush…..

This dinner is offered by the United States, it is appropiate to serve quality food and wine. $500 bottle is within resonable range. AIG excutives probably are sipping $2,000 wine on company budget.

i think they should have a wine named Pork Barrell wine

All of those people are Presidents , Prime Ministers and Heads of State,, NOT LEADERS

Obama is a LEADER ! there's a Huge Difference

So G20 Just likeyou came you will Leave

Change is coming on Jan 20th ,, enjoy your hangover while it lasts

"I don't care how much they spent on the food and wine at the White House dinner. I'm much more upset at the Democrats in Congress and the Carter and Clinton Administrations who caused this financial mess via the Community Reinvestment Act. This led to the $ 850 BILLION total bailout bill ($ 700B for the bailout, another $ 150B for pork). Those responsible for this mess, not President Bush, should be in jail."

Do Republicans ever blame themselves for anything? If Obama's presidency puts us in a deeper hole I'll be looking for this guy to get out the information that it is actually Bush's fault for his policies and Obama should actually get reelected.

Next time make it BYOB and problem solved.

i bet if nobama was hosting this shindig, you all followers of the false prophet nobama would be praising him, but since its bush, you're bashing. such hipocrisy you guys can show

Here is the deal: World leaders messed the world up and they should all be removed from their current posts.

They are after all WORLD LEADERS, they could be dropping alot more on wine, and since when does everyone care what other people drink/eat. If you had to entertain world leaders, would you serve them cheap food? NO.

This is silly. Should good wine that was bought a while back go to waste because it's expensive?

No, of course we don't expect the White House to serve boxed wine to foreign leaders…but, $499/bottle??? Geez! …but what really gets me mad is how our tax bailout dollars are being spent on corporate bonuses and incentive trips! INSANE!!!!!

This is news about nothing. It would have been a news if some deals were made during the dinner. To talk about what the world leader ended up drinking and eating is what is making people synical about politicians.

I don't approve of really anything that President Bush has done so far, but media bashing him for offering $500 wine is really ridiculous. I like to think that we are not that small.

And yet more "Out of touch with reality" stupidity: Mitt Romney and other GOP cronies take an all expenses paid Caribbean cruise to discuss how to get the "Republican brand" back on top as well as Mitt's possible "future" presidential bid.

Well Mitt- with dumber than dumb manuvers like this- your future in politics looks pretty much in the toilet where it belongs.

Media such as this bothers me; it’s not really a big deal in my eyes. The tax dollars are not "wasted". Master Chefs are employing their skills, A Vineyard, wine distributor, and servers are all doing what they do and being compensated for it.

I myself enjoy a $100-$200 bottle of wine and an expensive dinner on occasion. Shouldn’t the leaders of our country be able to as well? This whole economy thing is exasperated when people panic and shut their wallets.

I think these folks should be required to go hungry for a couple days and then meet and dine in a barrio. Maybe then they'd be able to BEGIN to wrap their heads around what this crisis means for most people in the world.

I think this was money better spent than the bailout.

Enjoy yourselves for now, you evil men. Your days are numbered. Soon, America will have a real leader as President, a man who cares about serving the people of the United States, as is expected by those who do the sweating and the crying, the bleeding and the dying, the real American people, upon whose shoulders our nation is carried.

Greed is not good! And selfishness is bad! And you leaders, who turned your backs on the citizens of America, and the world, while enriching yourselves with no care for the young and the old, the weak and the helpless, those less fortunate, to them you will one day give account. Perhaps they will have more pity on you, as you stand in your tears remembering what you did and did not do, that you ought!

The elected are elected to serve the people. Servant? You would have none of it. Perhaps, some more wine?

They are unsophisticated, for leaders, that's it. This is 2003 Cab, it was released in 2005 and should be cellared much, much longer than three years, what a waste!
It did though cost at release almost as much as it is today.

well, if you were leaving your cellar behind in 2 months, would you drink the mundane stuff or clean out the good stuff. In this particular instance, I think President-elect Obama will be lucky if there are several bottles of Ripple left in the cellar. George can throw a party pretty well, so I am sure consumption will go in to overdrive now that a democrat will be the next master of the cellar…

Alright, alright… I'll settle this. Remember the kool-aid served by Jim Jones? Hell, to bad it wasn't served at the 2000 election parties. Just think, no Carl Rove, Donald Rumsfeld, Alberto Gonzales, ad nauseum.

Do you think it is more appropriate to just derve plain water?
What would the world leaders think of USA?

we throw away wine at that price. i would think you would be serving them something of value.

The government pays $1000 for a toilet seat. This shouldn't surprise anyone.

You can also pick up this specific wine in this specific vintage for less than $200 from a variety of retailers, and some of them have 10-15% discounts for full case purchases. This administration picked it up wholesale, so it was less than these numbers. Quoting $500 at Wine.com (which doesn't actually have any) is pure sensationalism. Heck, why not quote Winemenu.net, which carries it at $667?

Come on, ya'll.

We're just mad that WE'RE not getting to drink that good wine and eat that fancy meal.

Dang, I wonder which leader will get sloshed and hit on Laura. . .

No worries, Obama will do the same thing. It's the "right thing to do" if you're a world leader. What a crock.

The only politician who would NEVER spend like this is Ron Paul. Such a shame he lost to McCain in the primaries. I guess it's because Dr. Paul represents TRUE change while everyone else in Washington is content with their share of the status quo.

WAKE UP AMERICA!

I'll make everyone a deal–no more posts on this issue after mine and I'll take 2 bottles out of my wine cellar, sell them on winecommune.com and donate the cash to a local food pantry.

lenips (my "name" on winecommune)

It's the White House hosting World Leaders. Should they be made to drink D.C. tap water? I hope we would serve $500 bottles of wine at White House events. This article is stupid!!!

Articles like this make me laugh out loud but even more than articles like this, is the fake "outrage" everyone gets….. So many people are indignant and claim " this is just like republicans"….i mean seriously do you expect any presidential regime in history who invited people to be their GUEST's at dinner would not do the same exact thing. I voted libertarian. i hate government waste and believe unnecessary spending is one of the biggest problems with our government but "outrage" over a nice dinner and a good bottle of wine? really…come on.

Why… why can't they go to McDonalds and feast on Big Macs and diet cokes like the rest of us???

I wouldn't criticize the White House in this case. We are greeting foreign leaders. We can't order pizza and Coke for delivery. Now, for an AIG meeting, that is a whole other story.

I wouldn't criticize the White House in this case. We are greeting foreign leaders. We can't order pizza. Now, for an AIG meeting, that is a whole other story.

They are the world leaders, can't well expect them to order Mcdonald's extra value meals.

What did you really expect? Franzia box wine and Ritz crackers?

Like usuall, you got it wrong CNN, it is actually 631.35$ per bottle. Why can't you ever report anything correctly ?

I don't care how much they spent on the food and wine at the White House dinner. I'm much more upset at the Democrats in Congress and the Carter and Clinton Administrations who caused this financial mess via the Community Reinvestment Act. This led to the $ 850 BILLION total bailout bill ($ 700B for the bailout, another $ 150B for pork). Those responsible for this mess, not President Bush, should be in jail.

Kids, number one, it's a wine from Napa, California, which, last time I looked is still part of the US of A. I've been lucky enough to drink Shafer cab and it is TOTALLY orgasmic. But, remember this is probably not the vintage currently being sold retail [it's been sitting around in the WH wine cellar for a while] and given the White House discount [vs retail] and to WOW the world, this is a GREAT wine to serve. The French will think that their awesome Chateanneuf du Pape [so many, totally outstanding] might take a page from our Napa patriots

I offer up a well-worn California saying: "Life's too short to drink bad wine."

Times are tough, but letting great vintages go to vinegar is just stupid and a total waste. Better our fabulous wines should be used in the interest of international diplomacy and good will.

Too bad it's not our President-elect at the head of the table . . . much more would be accomplished!

It would be interesting to see if we could write articles about stories that actually matter, or try to get anything tangible accomplished, instead of wasting time bickering about the price of wine served at the White House. This is pathetic. Who cares? It's been that way forever, it's not going to change. There are rich people and there are poor people (except in Communist and Fascist societies, where everyone is poor). That's the way the world works. get over it.

And for those of you intent on blaming Bush for everything, give it a bloody rest. I find it interesting how you people can say that Bush single handedly screwed everything up and makes all these decisions on his own, and Obama is going to single handedly change everything and make all these decisions on his own. That is incredibly naive. Do you honestly think the President has unconditional and unlimited power and clout?

Obama will serve the same value wine at his dinners, I guarantee it.

yea really, our coffee is worth more than that

Maybe I'll buy a bottle or two when I have the cash. I don't earn much, but I appreciate nice wines.

For a more sensible article on the politics of the White House wine cellar I refer you to an article last month in northjersey.com entitled The politics of the White House Cellar.

Springsteen wrote: poor man wants to be rich, rich man wants to be king, and if the king ain't satisfied then we lose everything. It would take a heck of a man to turn our financial situation around.

I think they should have served a more appropriate wine for the occasion; something like HOPE Chiraz!

These are global leaders who have 20 armored vehicles following them everywhere they go, people paid to die at moments' notice for them, jets devoted to their travel, and decoy jets devoted to confusing others about their travel.

You work in accounts receivable. You live in a one bedroom apartment with your cat Mr. Pounces. You drive a Toyota Corolla.

They drink fine wine. You drink boxed wine. Get over it.

Ever since Bush and Palin came onto the scene, it's like can't differentiate between the necessary cosmopolitan intelligence of world leaders and that guy who can cook a mean bratwurst at the bbq.

Gee, wasting expensive wine on this fraudulent group should make every winemaker shudder. I will remember the wines and rightly boycott.

seems like alot of people aren't even reading the article, it says a wine than CAN go for as much as 500$, not that they actually paid this much. I mean a bud light could go for 15$ if bought at say a concert…. this article is a serious stretch, they most likely paid nowhere near this amount.

2003?

Did Georgie pick this year?

cheapskates

Who really cares about expensive wine from the White House cellar, lets say a hundred bottles at $500, which adds up $50,000. Wall st. guys steal more than that every day of the week with their packaged gimmicks. Why arent we up in arms about the millions of dollars of bonuses to be paid out to Wall St., by firms that took BILLIONS from Paulson as part of the bail-out. Some times I think we are being fed a series of smoke screens to cover up the atrocity of these bonuses. These firms were part of the problem involving Hedge Funds, Credit Default Swaps, and the entire mortgage mess. Why give them anything. And the rating agencies are still going strong when they are a major part of the entire mess. How come its always the big, powerful and rich people who get away with this kind of thievery? Get Paulson out of there now, before he gives everything to his cronies. The Republicans have screwed us and this will last for a very long time. And they still have 2 months to screw us some more. Or isnt there anything left?

Fed Up To Here

There is NOTHING like a fine wine! C'est la vie!

i agree that diplomats should be treated special. How about the fabulous Far Niente at approximately $50 per bottle and save the $500 fpr better times,when the average "Joe" isn"t suffering as much?

5

The White House staff bought low and sold high. That is a good sign is it not? a good investment. I am sure the White house celler will provide some excellent and expensive wine for Obama's guests as well. Come visit the Obama White House where we only serve cheap wine… I do not think so.

I think it behooves Becky Brittain et al to post an erratum on this story. So many commenters are taking your $499 price at face value when that price is *absolutely* inaccurate. The wine retails for as low as $135 and it is likely that the White house got it for half that price if not free from the winery (for PR purposes). Your facts are wrong and you have misled your readers. Would people's reactions be as powerful if they felt that the White House was pouring a wine for foreign dignitaries that its quartermaster paid $65 to $90 per bottle?

As an active wine blogger and writer, I spend a lot of time and energy urging (wine) bloggers to aspire to lofty journalistic ideals. This piece is not one I would use as as a positive example. It is *exactly* the kind of thing I urge them *not* to do.

Sheesh, what is wrong with some of you people? This is the WHITE HOUSE of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. We can and will serve the highest quality food and drink, as befitting the greatest country in the world. The President of the United States, whoever holds the office, deserves the perks of the office.

Do you *really* want the President of the United States serving wine out of a box at a high-level international function? Give me a break.

Probably a real intelligent meeting of how to bail out the Wine Industry

China probably lent us the money for it.

Looking at the list of nations, have to wonder what happened to Canada– guess we're just emerging, or is this yet another oversight of a partner in trade, war, and lots of values?

Why didn't they serve Texas B.B.Q. After all, we do have a cowboy in the whitehouse.

Our Govt. sucks

500$ a bottle is that all ? well, no wonder we get these kind of results from these events. wow

What we have faced with today: the worst financial crisis since
depression is the outcome of selfishness and greed of the
politicans, CEOs, oil producing countries, oil companies, etc. Now those world leaders are gathered to solve
the problem overnight by sipping $ 499.00/bottle wine and special
food. While thousands of people are waiting in soup kitchens for
watery soup with a few pieces of meat if lucky, but see the
exubertant extravagance! Indeed, they can solve the problem, let
God have mercy on these hypocrites.

Thsi just goes to show that the Republican party is "OUT OF TOUCH" with the rest of America. They need to be serving Boone's Farm and eating at Waffle House…

Better drink up before the Democrats get control of the White House and the wine!
I have a better idea, if they got such a good deal, why not auction it off to pay for all the debts we now have(gee, especially since they might had had something to do with it…. do ya think….!!!!!)

I hope W grabbed the bottle and chugged it so he can be put in rehab for the next two months where he won't do as much harm. Who am I kidding, Cheney is running this as he has everything with his shadow government within the executive branch. If there has ever been a more venal cabal at the head of a democratic government – save the equally vile Reagan bunch (now so gilded by the keepers of the flame – remember Anne Gorsuch, Ed Meese, Elliot Abramson?) – it escapes my memory. I hope they all end up in the pen, doing hard labor. I suppose they could be offered safe transport to some South American dictatorship where they'd feel more comfortable. My gag reflex is completely worn out.

Nothing like wining and dining to the tune of our collective misery…

Someone's gotta drink the stuff>

If this would be the last supper for Bush, and Richardson appears to say goodbye I would be more that happy to pay for it.

revolution!

500$ would pay most peoples food bill. drink it down good !

It's a good thing we had an election. As the rest of us are struggling, they celebrate. Didn't Marie Antionette party while France starved? Maybe their just trying to clear the good stuff out before moving day?

How many bottles were used?
We could have saved money, served some rasberry Boones Farm ($2.19 a bottle) and used the money for something useful like more bail out money for their AIG cronies. They could have gone somewhere nice for a meeting or something.

Sheesh…guys… are you reading.. eh? eh? They bought AMERICAN!! Didn't serve French wine with our Freedom Fries. Pretty cool, eh? Our American tax dollars buying American wine. Money back into the American economy and hopefully these world leaders will all want a case or two. Excellent marketing!!!

never stops does it? you are funny

Everything is going to be scrutinized under a 10 ft. microscope until we turn the corner.

The Shaffer Winery makes one of the best red wines in the world. Notice the flattering graffic accompanying this silly post. This kind of global publicitiy is not affordable in the U S of A (Made in the USA.)

Shame on politicians who spend money like it was water while they ponder a bailout of automakers and whine about our economy being bad . When they suffer some consequences of their bad choices things may change for us, until then I am afraid we all have to keep footing their bills.

Our politicians are not part of a royal familiy, yet they act like they are. We are their boses and we need to continue to fire them until they hear us loud and clear. Just like Palin and her stupid clothes, she did not deserve the blame? If she was a fiscal conservative, like her billing said, then why on earth did she accept one clothing item she did not need? And why did she not purchase those clothes herself? Don't tell me she was not looking for a handout, she just didn't know she would be caught. Who on earth wants her underwear that was donated to charity? Good Lord. What charity accepted it?

They are all sickening to me right now, every stinking one of them.

Someone mentioned Canada was missing in the article unless considered one of the developing countries, so is Germany… strange.
The wine issue is anon issue as probably bought at a much lower price and it is ok to serve a great wine to world dignitaries.

Thats great. Lead by example!

On every blog I've been on, I've brought up something
about the government and how it's spending relates to
the economic crisis, but nobody else wants to go there.
Why?

I wonder who pays for their luxury………………….. Our tax money at work people.

This is not newsworthy. I encourage all who think this is a Bush only thing to check back for President-elect Obama's gatherings over the next year. You will see the same thing. Politicians in general feel they are entitled, which is the way many feel. We are entitled to this and that. The gov. owes us this and that. No they don't. Work hard, take care of yourself and your family, give to the charities you want to, pay your fair shar of taxes (i don't want to pay for those too lazy to get a job because they make more on welfare) and save some for later. You are not "owed" anything.

No surprise. $500.00 wine! What did you expect? Nothing ever changes. Get used to it.

Would the American justice system ever have the kahooneys to send a president to prison?

NATHAN– BEFORE POSTING YOU SHOULD TAKE THE TIME TO GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT – THIS VINTAGE WINE SELLS FOR 250.00 (BY THE CASE) AND UP ON THE INTERNET–FURTHERMORE IT IS NOT AN "AWFUL" WINE–EVEN THOUGH I WOULDN'T PUT IT PAST OUR "LEADERS" TO PAY 500.00 FOR AN AWFUL VINTAGE

And Mexico and Canada are not invited?

Farrell, Houston, Tx- Saudis don't drink wine..they're muslims

So nice to know that while I and many others struggle to pay our bills, or receive medical care (I'm uninsured), Bush feels that it's appropriate to serve wine that costs almost $500 a bottle. That is how much I have to pay for a spinal injection to ease my pain. It's also a more than a month's worth of groceries to feed my family!!!!!!

This is a stupid story……are they supposed to serve McDonald's and boxed wine? I have a lot larger concerns regarding out of control government spending than that of the White House catering crew. I think the media does do a good job of drawing attention to some overspending in Washington, but this story is bit of a reach.

The Hillside Select is currently available for $200 per bottle and that's at retail pricing. The 2003, while still too young to drink in my opinion, is also not a great Napa vintage so likely would have been available for less directly from Shafer upon release.

While I don't support the Bush administration, not only do I applaud the fact they only serve US wines, but am also amazed that this relatively average wine is what they serve to world leaders. I would have expected Harlen Estate or Screaming Eagle to grace the table.

This could have been the worst reporting that CNN has done.

ehm…evidently people don't understand how wines work. first this is wine that is sold definitely at lower prices almost everywhere, then there is the concrete possibility that like every good cellar the white house buys wine in time and let it sit there for years till the occasion arises.
so i bet my shirt that this wine was maybe bought even in 2004 at probably 65-85 dollars a bottle, maybe lower since for sure they bought wholesale and in quantity (or do you think they will serve only one bottle? i really think it's a non issue, especially since you are having those guests you want to take out your best.

Becky…do your homework! A simple google search would have shown you this wine could be had for half of what you reported. And thats retail! Poor story.

what a nonsense. the money the Bushes spend on that wine didn't disappear into thin air. Now other people have the $500. the winemaker the wine distributor the wine delivery-man. and they will all spend their money one cheaper bottles of wine etc etc. they might even donate some to a good cause.

$500.00 PER SINGLE WINE BOTTLE IS . . . .

. . . no problem if it will grease the gears of bank credit to loan aspirants.
. . . no problem if it will restore the 1.2-million jobs lost in 2008, and restore additional 3.1-million highly qualified people and college graduates still looking from 2007 and beyond.
. . . no problem if it will reverse the current recession and economic meltdown.
. . . no problems if it will reverse the disasters of home foreclosures and put all tax-paying homeowners back in their homes,
. . . no problem if it will raise my 401K to August levels, along with my stock investments and pension plan,
. . . no problem if it takes the national debt back to the January 20, 2000 "surplus level" when W-Bush first sworn for POTUS.

You don't serve heads of state a $10 table wine. The whole point is that you show them respect and hospitality while you host them in your country. This is a very stupid article.

Now you can see why the US is in this kind of shape. What's wrong with Dago Red? $1.00 a bottle.

I think we should be picking apart every "luxury" item these companies are sucking up while getting by on our money. No blaming this on Bush folks. This is all Pelosi and the Dems at work. Now they want to throw another 50 billion at a mismanaged and ineffecient auto industry.

Now that everybody is trying to get a piece of the $700 billion dollars, maybe we as americans can get some of it to. We should all send a letter to Paulson, asking for our share. Then we can bail ourselfs out> What do you say AMERICA

give me a break! when will you media guys GET it..I suppose not until the general population just stops listening.

this is not a big deal…a nonissue…the end.

I wonder if we could get the various branches of the media together and encourage them to do a 90 day moratorium on "sad news, bad news"….if we might just see a huge turn around???

worth a shot

This should be Bush and Cheney last chace to dine with world leaders before before they depart to the Hague for War Crimes TRIAL.If when sober Bush makes a mess of the ENGLISH language could you imagine when he's had a few pints and some Ban cuban CIGARS?

okay, i am not a bush fan at all, but really, this is a crazy thing to get upset about. it's already in the cellar it would be a shame for it to sit there and go bad. it's a u.s. wine, so at least they are supporting the "local economy". i am not at all upset about this, you know they say pick your battles….i'd rather have had the bush administration sipping away on $500/bottle wine for 8 years and NOT have started a needless war….among other policy disasters.

nathan you are incorrect – the wine retails for over 200 bucks a bottle – stop trying to justify bush and his administration's excesses.

TLP

A SUGGESTION– OR RATHER TWO – LET THE BILL FOR THIS FIESTA BE SENT TO— A) ALL THE DODOS WHO APPROVE OF SUCH AN EXPENDITURE —- OR 2) TO ALL THOSE PARTAKING AND WITH A NET WORTH OF 10 MILLION OR MORE (PROBABLY ALL OF THEM)

All I can say is who was the genius that wrote this article!? The leader of the free world serves fine wine to visiting world leaders…oh dear!! What would you suggest as an alternitive herr Pennypincher??? McFlurries for everyone!! I think there are some empty pop cans in a park garbage can with your name on them.

If you believe these leaders to be performing a great civic service to the people they are representing faithfully and dilligently whereever they come from, then it would seem that a $500 wine and excellent dinner are just rewards for their service and serve to encourage them to continue doing so. If your leaders aren't really looking out for you, then it would seem that you are wasting your money or are being fooled…

uuuummmmmm!yummmyyyyy! we're having toast w/gravy this week. hell,they aint muchh meat on a quail anyhow. oh yeah…. i'm drinkin' generic beer,too. i think it would say something better to the poor of the world, if they'd at least cut it back to an old-fashioned american BBQ and buffet. everybody bring sumthin',you know? wash it down with some jack daniel's, smoke a big blunt,and figure out some ways to make some money in this new century. something fair, that includes the less fortunate in the world.

BFD….the LEADERS of 20 countries ate well and drank expensive alcohol??? Who in their right mind would care about this let alone expect anything less? Were they supposed to get a bucket of chicken from KFC?

If there was ever signs of liberal bashing of Republicans, this is it. You can find more expensive bottles of wine in any very good restaurant, and something like this is TOTALLY okay to serve world leaders, for pete's sake.

You people that are ranting on about how wrong this is need to shut it. If St. Obama was serving this, and anybody criticized him for it, you'd be all over their case about how it's an important group, it's not unreasonable, blah blah blah. Take a chill pill and try to relax for another couple of months until he's in power, please.

It pains the imagination that they could not show just a little restraint, knowing that we lesser types are being forced into an entirely different level of belt tightening. What's that I hear: "Let them eat cake"?

Seriously, folks, this is not a case of callous and insulated-from-reality bourgeois quaffing delicate elixirs while the streets burn. This is a diplomatic dinner with foreign dignitaries. The White House *should* serve elegant foods and wines that showcase the finer side of American culture – no matter the topic discussed."

This is exactly the issue everyone is talking about, big spending by people using taxpayers money, then taxpayers having to bail them out, sad but this b.s. is never ending and will never end under the current crop of no gooders we have in Washington. I wonder how the American public and stay so complacent and make statements like, "no big deal", this is not an issue etc. etc. Where is the vasoline folks?

These people probably drink as a lifestyle…it's nothing to them…just another celebration.

For those of you right wingers who keep complaining about the Obama supporters still being angry, I give you….Deep in Thought who is ready to throw Obama out before he gets in. Well of course he is using experienced people in his cabinet, if he didn't the mistakes could be serious and then we would have to listen to you complain about that.

Deep in thought…..looks like you're in the shallow end.

I have always thought that the first family should not live like royalty and that the perks of the white house are beyond extravagent and a waste of taxpayers money

They should be wined and dined… $500 is nothing in the grand scheme of things… write better articles. Stop wasting our reading time.

This is the same Administration and party which indicated that the economy was fundamentally in good shape. Also, this administration didn't even think of main street when they requested the $700B to bail out Wall Street. This administration has jumped from situation to situation regarding the investment of this $700B if it is invested properly. Our stock market would never know it as much as it goes up and down. And nothing has been done to stop the spending by AIG and some of the other banks, after all they look at the money as a direct surge of new dollars to spend.

Becky Brittain does not have anything else to do? She should take a chill. For God sake it's White House. It's like the top house of the world. American's are not cheap, we know little quality

Wow you douchebags…way to slant this. Not like it's sensationalism or anything. You can get this wine easily for <$250. Retail. Way to pick the highest amount and run with it. According to you, perhaps Dubya should serve them Two Buck Chuck instead? Would that be more fiscally responsible?

Maybe when you're done sitting on your thumb you can check your facts – though with this article I suppose you're appealing to the vast majority of Americans, who are also morons.

Absolutely unbelieveable, will our government and government employees ever be able to face the American people and be honest about what is happening. We are billions of dollars in debt and these leaders believe there is nothing wrong with throwing a lavish party. I do not under any circumstances feel this is necessary and find it obscene to say the least. If it were an average American having a family dinner, they would certainly not consider serving a $500.00 bottle of wine much less think about it. When will the American people wake up and demand better of our leaders.

This should be Bush and Cheney last chace to dine with world leaders before before they depart to the Hague for War Crimes TRIAL.

Absolutely unbelieveable, will our government and government employees ever be able to face the American people and be honest about what is happening. We are billions of dollars in debt and these leaders believe there is nothing wrong with throwing a lavish party. I do not under any circumstances feel this is necessary and find it obscene to say the least. If it were an average American having a family dinner, they would certainly not consider serving a $500.00 bottle of wine

What are the reporters drinking?

Serve them Bubwiser.

Oh ya, thats not American anymore….

What is this one last chance for Bush to show the world just how inept he is…. wine or no wine?

I think instead of a stimulus package, they should send everyone in America a bottle of their finest wine. We could all get drunk together and celebrate.

Everybody needs to believe in something, I believe I'll have another beer.

You liberals amuse me … I am so sure that President Bush had a hand in what wine was purchased at the White House. He also MUST have had influence on the color of the carpet and in which pattern the White House lawn is mowed. Perhaps he even decides when the rain starts and stops, as well.

Get a life and find something significant to argue about.

Once Obama is in office, don't expect cheap wine with his dinners, either. Of course, the liberal quack media won't report that.

Shafer Hillside Select is hardly a 500 dollar wine. Furthermore, the vintage is an awful one, 2003, and is probably being closed out by local distributors.

Furthermore, the 500 dollar price is based on a 400% markup traditionally used in restaurants, not the prices that distributors are paying for the wine.

My guess is the 03 Hillside came in around 60 bucks a bottle and may have been even less.

Sounds "elitist" to me. I guess we can't have a Beer with Bush after all. We can't afford it. How tacky.

Would you have them eat at McDonalds?

This is why I choke every time I hear Paulson and/or Shrub refer to "our economy." It's not "our economy."

The frightened employed (or terrified and hoping to remain employed), the working stiff, the disenfranchised poor, and the outright and permanently marginalized have one economy. It's a sliding scale of want, fear, and need for many of us, and it's "our economy."

Folks like Bush and Paulsen have their own economy. It has nothing to do with the one within which the majority of this country lives.

I doubt I'll ever taste a $500.00 bottle of wine. I know that I will never spend $150,000 for my work wardrobe. Yet I have no room to complain: I have a car that works, a cute apartment, clothes on my back, and at least for now, a job. I'm better off than a lot of folks, and grateful for what I do have.

Still, it makes me sick to my stomach to hear the words "our economy" coming out of their silver spoon-fed mouths. And I am sorry, but not surprised, at the lavishness of the accoutrements that will accompany this world summit on the economic crisis.

Why are people blaming Bush for this?

He drank Pap's Blue Ribbon the whole night.

For Late night we pissed in all of the oil reserve tanks and crank called Pakistan.

I am sorry but I have one more comment and I will be quiet.

If the White House received this expensive wine for free or below cost could that be considered a bribe? Perhaps some obscure legislatiojn that benefits Stags Leap Vineyards. It would not surprise me with these scoundrels.

Ok I am done.

This is not an issue.

Although wine.com sells this wine for $499, it most commonly sells for $250-$300. I found it listed as low as $199 and only $189 on EBAY. The author clearly listed the most expenssive price on the market to exaggerate his point… which is simply poor journalism.

$189 is still a lot of money to me… but let's put this into perspective. It is the duty of a host to provide a quality experience to his guests. When the host is the White House and the guests are world leaders, I don't think a $189 bottle of wine is anything to whine about.

I cannot believe some of you are getting so riled up over this. I cannot wait to see what Obama serves up, oh yeah I bet we will never know…the media will still be slanting everything on him then also. Those that keep blaming Bush for everything, man are yall in denial it is also the lovely democrats ignorance for the mess our country is in. Lets face facts they all stink and the sooner we get rid of all of the career politicians the better off we will be. It sure doesn't look like Obama is going to do any better, wow he is filling his administration with more of the same ole tired politicians that don't do anything but line their pockets too. We are a sinking ship and until we clean the slate I don't see things getting any better.

I'm as liberal as they come and I am totally ok with the whitehouse serving $500/bottle wine to heads of state. Anything less and it would look like we had a bumpkin running the show.

Oops…

Seems to me that a more appropriate way to demonstrate the plight of world economics would be for the White House to serve a meal that was more in line with what the vast population of the planet has to eat….. if they eat.

I could get that wine right now for $200 a bottle – retail, to me, a regular consumer. That's the same as the release price. If bought by the case, it'd be $180 a bottle. If wholesale and by the case (how it was almost surely purchased), it would likely be closer to $150-$160. That's a reasonable price for a wine to be served to dignitaries.

I realize that there is an ignorance of your neighbour to the North, but to not even mention us, unless we're in the 11 developing economies is ignorance beyond belief.

Jim from Canada

I think a more appropriate question than what wine red or white is obviously…"would you like fries with that Mr. Head of State?"

CONGRATLATIONS MIKE—YOU ARE SO CORRECT—LET THE LEADERS FEAST WHLE THE PEOPLE STARVE !!

Are you kidding me?!!!! People starving all over this country, loosing homes, and jobs…and OUR tax dollars are pouring $500.00 bottles of wine down world leaders throats. Tell them…look, we got a crisis going on here….let them eat a hamburger and store brand pop like the rest of us! I can not wait until Obama moves into 1600 Pennsylvania Ave! Bush – would you please leave early!

You dorks need to do better research.
A quick run through Google found the same wine for $219/bottle.

I'm not angry that they're drinking $500 wine.

I'll be angry if they don't get anything done to fix the problem.

Hey mike,

Look where these world leaders have led us. Right to the brink of depression and disaster. I think that if they were insulted for having a nice meal with some sparkling water then so be it.

Better yet send the invitation to BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle). Now that would make a statement as to the seriousness of the situation and their sincerity in trying to fi it.

Uh, Yockintampa… don't understand how this is exactly the problem as you say. And when is it too late? When there is no more money left? If there is no money left where would it go away too? Could we find it? Place ads on telephone poles asking for whereabouts of Lost Money? And if we found it , would it be Too Late? Then we could place same ads for Lost Time. And then if it wasn't too late, and we had the money… what time would it be? 9pm? Certainly not too late for a nice bottle of wine. If you come across a nice bottle of wine. Give it a home. Drink it. Enjoy. Don't get angry at it's price. Pretty soon it will be too late.

Oh please. Are we supposed to serve the WORLD LEADERS orange juice and some crackers instead? I believe wine is appropriate for this matter. People are becoming so ridiculous that they are attacking every little decision the Bush administration makes, including the choice of wine. Sad. Very sad.

I bet if Barack Obama made this decision, it would be perfectly okay.

who cares?

Truth- What do you expect them to serve world leaders? I think this is most appropriate. Mediterranian, mid-eastern, and a bit of Texas…

There has to be real news happening somewhere right now. Seriously. Who really cares?

Sorry, this does not sound like a gesture provided by a real Christian. I think just about every American Christian is cognizant of the fact that Americans are suffering. Even my Daughter understood the importance of the symbolism of this act, it didn't escape her, but it escapes our supposed world leaders. Personal responsibility is a mantra, but not a practiced reality. Buying $150K worth of clothes for a campaign, $500 dollar a bottle wine and giving banks BILLIONS of future American's money. I'm tired of the sham our government is, people need to expect more. How sad.

When I have guests over, regardless of my current financial situation, I attempt to serve them the finest food and drink in the house. I would expect my nation would do the same when inviting over the prestigious leaders of foreign nations. Would you rather serve them Domino's and a liter of coke? I think this is an example of sensational journalism that I, like the rest of those who have posted comments, am guilty of perpetuating. I would hope our country would soon exhaust of such drivel and focus on actual news. Obviously, I should start with myself.

It's not peculiar to wine and dine world economic leader in style unless one wants the US to look dowdy! These people are talking about multi-trillion dollar business, what's a few thousand-dollar dinner?

I don't trust men who get manicures and pedicures.

this is why they can't relate to the average american, they are so far above us.

I think the answer given about the wine being served at this dinner is quite satisfactory—They are the heads of many powerful countries.
Being from Canada I continue to find it very unusual that many articles pointing out attending countries always seem to overlook mentioning Canada–
This meeting is to discuss the exchange ideas about resolving the world financial meltdown .
Please note that Canada is represented by Prime Minister Stephen Harper who has run our country and governed in such a fashion that Canada is recognized by all ot the G20 as the most soundly run country among them when it comes to finances.
Its time to give credit where credit is due–
Thanks from your greatest northern trading partner to the North.

Chris in VA…lol…sometimes ham and cheese turns out better than exotic cuisine.

Water is a pretty good beverage, and doesn't impair cognitive processes.

GROSS!

I am certain that even as i type this the whitehouse procurement staff is purchasing $5.99 wine and restocking the cellars now! What ajoke

This from the party of fiscal conservatives–the same people who dressed Palin for $150,000. Gotta wonder…..

Idiots!

I approve… There is nothing wrong with this… I will add this to my wine list. Thanks CNN

Wow!! $500 a bottle for something that will burn in Coleman lantern. I feel lucky when I can find my favorite soda pop for less than a $1.38 for a 2 liter bottle. Used to cost 69 cents. Let them drink tap water. Be sure to clean out the fridge before you leave……

Sure, it's expensive, but as a world leader I would be insulted to be served anything less. It's just standard protocol, this truly is a ridiculous story.

Ok, wait a second…these are world leaders. Granted, we shouldn't expect them to eat McDonald's dollar menu (although that would be a savvy political move to do dinner as inexpensively as possible). However, $500 bottles of wine? That's a little over the top.

I don't care which party is in power…they're meeting to discuss a GLOBAL ECONOMIC CRISIS, brought on – in part – because our economy is collapsing because we keep borrowing money we can't pay back. The Republicans should be mad about frivilous gov't spending of their tax money…instead, many of them are simply defending the President. The Dems in here are steadfastly attacking the Bush Admin…we're used to these roles…but, I think a little common sense, and a reasonable amount of compromise on the appropriateness of such actions at this time, should lead both ends of the political spectrum to recognize that this was not only bad PR, but an irresponsible political blunder.

I'm a struggling college student, raising two kids…I know what it's like to be strappd for cash. If I had the choice between grilling burgers for my friends with what little cash I have, or buying them all a dinner at a four-star restaurant on my credit card, I'm gonna take the wise choice. Could be why I'm not swimming in creditor debt with no way out???

Thousands of Katrina victims will probably never be able to move back home. Many I read, are still living in tents, moving from shelter to shelter, etc. since hurricane Ike. I wonder where the justice is, when these individuals can so easily be forgotten; their plights swept under governmental rugs, over a drink.

I hope and pray that President Obama will elect someone over Homeland Security Department that respects the right of American citizens to at least have a roof over their heads.

Paulson and others have disbursed monies to banks, bank officials, and/or who knows whom. There's no paper trail to account for billions of dollars, and yet we have people in this country who have no where to lay their heads at night. Change can't come quickly enough!

Pray, pray for our new President Obama – He's being left with a load of mess! Thank God he is who he is!

Just looking at the comments posted here, its hard to miss the name-calling mean-spiritedness that underlies the thin liberal veneer of tolerance and inclusiveness.

What are they supposed to serve their guests, the leaders of the world's economies? Kraft macaroni & cheese?

Liberals are not happy until everyone is as miserable as they are.

Well, this just proves how out of touch the world's rich elite are!!!

The should have rolled wih MD20-20. World leaders need to stop frontin'!

Polly, you seriously don't know why this is news?
Some people should not be allowed to comment.
Let me guess you're @ the top 2 percent. Enjoying you're chafer cabernet and you're merlot.

So this is what people need to understand. It doesn't matter who's in power. These people are going to spend your money. The system of incentives in government does not encourage frugality because they are buying things with other people's money. From the left and right we hear people decrying this who think that only if their guy was in power this would all go away. The problem is the system itself, not the people.

Seriously for all those people on these comments saying what a waste of tax dollars or that its all the Bush adminstration's stupid spending and that Obama will get rid of stuff like this, get a life.

First off FAR more tax dollars are going to lazy people who dont want to get a job and would rather live off welfare then the white house is spending on wine. Ya I pay taxes too and I hate knowing that my money is going to lazy people when I work hard for a buck!

Second of all what do you want them to serve other government officials? Lunchables with a juice box? Seriously what do you expect?! When Obama moves into the white house Michele and Barack will spend an estimated $200,000 of YOUR tax dollars to renovate the white house the way that they want it. Got a problem with that?

To even argue that this is all Bush's adminstration and stupid spending is ridiculous! get real. When Obama takes office he will have HUGE lavish white tie dinners and spend tons of YOUR money hosting people from other countries. Its not just a Bush, it comes with the job of the president. So just suck it up and take it because there are FAR worse things your tax money goes to!

T from Iowa

Why all the complaining about the wine? How much was the Chef and the rest of the staff? Should've ordered McDonalds dollar menu items and called it good.

World leaders or not this is exactly the kind of mentality that has gotten us into this problem. Spending for champagne on a beer budget. If leaders are leaders they would set the example and sacrifice like everyone else or at least moderate their behavior in times such as these.

I work for a Government contractor and we have per diem established by the government for a reason…

why do government officials not have the same standards?

This is wasteful and against the gov't policy for the gov't agency I work at, yet I guess THEY are above it. HYPOCRITES!

No, the world leaders should not be expected to eat at McDonald's to save money. In the big scheme the 20 or so meals and bottles of wine they drink wouldn't do much to alleviate the global economy, especially at the heavily discounted price the White House gets.

However, it does point out that these people are so out of touch with what the average person has to deal with, that it's no wonder nothing ever gets fixed. They are so far removed from reality, the people in ivory towers can't even see them. If they can go about their business running the world as incompetently as they have, and yet still enjoy quail and rack of lamb, all washed down with $500 a bottle wine, where's the motivation to actually the job right.

Politicians are the worst abusers of public welfare ever created.

Count on Bush to do his part to "shop" us out of the depression. What a leader.

The Taxpayers will be left holding the bill the President Bush and Dick Chaney runs up….

kinda makes those $23k pedicures for the AIG executives sound like peanuts…..

Small history lesson:
In the USSR there was strong believe that Lenin (USSR the very 1st leader) and his ministers in Kremlin had only tea (sometime without sugar) and
bread during 1917-1924 when it were very difficult times in Russia.
Then recently documents were uncovered that actualy Kremlin at that time was supplied with ALL THE BEST food you can imagine (caviar, wines, etc).

Hey Pat Burnett,
I saw this wine on the net for 400 bucks 750ml. This was the first hit so it's not unreasonable.

Let them eat cake you say?

Perception is reality. If our leaders can conspicuously consume while people are losing jobs daiy it is disgraceful.

A nice bottle of sparkling water would be fine for those "world leaders".

Losers.

Gosh wine that is $499.99 a bottle – that is almost as much as the stimulus package that they sent us earlier in the year. Couldn't they have drank some cheaper wine and let the savings be the start of a new stimulus package for all those people who have lost their jobs.

This is EXACTLY the problem, reguardless of party affiliation. Yet I hear hte House members screaming about the legitimate AIG abuses of our tax dollars. I really am coming to the conclusion that Washington is all B.S. artists who are total hypocrits. When will we all decided to get rid of them all and start all over again before it is too late?

Gee, and just think of the millions of people who are unemployed and have lost their homes. Of course, we have to show the foreign dignitaries that we still have some money. Wait, that is the tax payers' money isn't it?

Just to show that money in the hands of an idiot still makes that idiot and idiot. I can't wait until that village in Texas reclaims its idiot!

It is a sign of genuine depression when this kind of thing becomes news. Grow up, please. Better futures are not built on bitterness. Use your 1st ammendment rights for something useful.

Obviously, they won't be serving pork or beef Barbeque…lol…

i for one hope that when all the rich and republicans get to the after life they get what bad is comeing to them..my grandpa always said he never met anybody that made over a million dollars a year that he would see in heaven.

You don't think they'd leave it for Obama, do you?

All you defenders of the White House spending $500 for a bottle of wine are crazy. Sure, you can be hospitable and treat your guests, but what's wrong with a $50 bottle of wine? Is a $500 bottle ten times the enjoyment of a $50 bottle? You can treat your guests well without paying outrageous "sucker" prices. I bet you'd even defend them for a $500,000 bottle of wine, wouldn't you? You all must be filthy rich.

Even if this is not really news and even if it's protocol to treat world leaders in high style, this would have been a good time for a symbolic gesture with some prudent frugality. Instead, they chose to rub our noses in it.

Well isn't that just ducky !!!

isn't this rich. While the rest of us in main street are struggling to make ends meet, the goverment is spending $500 worth in wine. No wonder the country is going through an economic depression.

Sweet tea, anyone??? Maybe with some lemon???

Too easy, I know.

1. Saudi Arabia and Turkey are largely Islamic countries which do not allow alcohol. Isn't serving wine an insult to them?
2. Again the average Joe-tax payer picks up the bill. Can't the White House get a corperate sponsor?

In your faces, peasants….Bush's attitude will never change.

I suppose they should serve Welch's grapejuice instead???

It would be an insult to treat our guest s(world leaders) any different.

If AIG can send salespeople to a SPA with taxpayers money, we should treat world leaders appropriately.

Regarding the Independent white female patriotic voter. Not angry at your comment just curious about it since the reason the world is such a mess is that people cling to rituals, belief systems etc. Because world leaders gorge themselves like pigs while people starve in far off places where they come from is no reason to support them in their feeble attempts to make the world a better place.

It is time that the mandate the American people finally arrived at electing Mr. Obama is observed and enforced by the American people. Not the government. I would not look to governments or world leaders to solve our problems. They are a reflection of the people. But as I look at the new president and his family I see for the first time in 53 years hope. A man has arrived who had to truly struggle. It is not a made up fantasy of Mr. Obama's life like many of the leaders before him by some spin-doctor.

I think he would argue with your comment that maybe a change in policy of how to entertain world leaders might be in order. They are supposed to be leading not chowing down. The politicians these days are so arrogant that maybe it is time for independent watchdogs to get more power to see what they spend on.

Next year when we enter a depression it might be well to remember that the world leaders have not done much to prevent it. They were too busy jet setting around palling with celebrities and in many cases filling up their bank accounts. I would not look to them for solutions.

Mr. Obama asked his volunteers to brown bag it for lunch and use public transport to his campaign headquarters. How refreshing. A man who has a plan.

I think the White House should use up all their wine and then not order any more. Why let world leaders drink on our dime? Let them drink on their own time not America’s. How arrogant and self centered these dinners and talks are.

In China they are executing corrupt bankers and politicians. Seems to work. I don’t think Mr. Obama would do this but maybe he as he uncovers all the corruption of Wall Street and the other business men he might consider using Gitmo for them now.

Oh common! this is not news. everybody wants to have the best in life. If I am a king I will sure live as one. wait! may be the president should make the white house a tourist center and move to a cheaper house with less staff, that way the country will generate money.
stop hating.

Well, we all know Bush wants to bankrupt everything to create a legacy never known in the history of mankind.

He has a CHILD'S brain, let him do to his hearts content.

Brighter days are coming!

These people are elected officials, not royalty! Who holds these morons accountable?

Did someone said let's get rid of the pork?

For God;s sake this is a going away party…call it what it is…If Bush really cared he would not serve $500/bottle wine..What a selfish loser….

If the white house can buy wine at wholesale can they set up a website and sell at retail? I'd start buying wine from the white house if it meant my 401k would come back to life…

Leave it to the Bushies to serve an inferior vintage like the 2003.

while republicans complain about food stamps for families and set up every value judgement based road block they can for families needing help they lavish themselves with luxuries and bail out their irresponsible corporate buddies. liars and cheats, they disgust me

Thomas Jefferson was the first president to start the wine drinking at the White House trend, building large cellars that stored up to 20,000 bottles. He also had a taste for only the best. It was President Johnson who began the excellent policy of only serving US wines. An interesting choice was made by President Reagan, who served an Hawaiin sparkling wine made from pineapple at a state function. I suspect, though, that wines of quality like this one are more the norm (with apologies to the good folk of Hawaii).

A broken economy does not give everybody license to sport a poverty spirit. Life goes on, we cannot make every little thing into such great news. Where is Chicken Licken. The sky is fallen. World leaders are drinking old wine from the barrel under the cellar. These leaders earn a good drink now and then, and somebody has to pay. So why not? We are still in a better position than some of them are.

Ezra

Relax a bit. The wine wasn't purchased for this occasion – it was already in the White House cellars. The money was spent some time ago. As a result there is no additional expenditure for this dinner. As some else pointed out the pricing is specious at best. Wine.com is seldom the lowest price offering…

@Jonathan O'Brien: On what basis whatsoever do you claim this wine was provided free or at cost? That is beyond silly. Most suppliers double their prices when they hear the government is the buyer because they know the government will pay inflated costs. That's where the term "Beltway Bandits" comes from. Do not defend Bush by making up extremely lame rationalizations.

The ecomony doesn't effect George Bush personally, never has – he was born with a silver pacifer in his mouth and when he leaves office it still won't affect him – it will never affect him. So what does he care if a bottle costs 500.00 or 5,000 dollars.

What a Joke!
Where are our shares of stock from all the companies WE bailed out?????
We all should be getting shares of stock equal to the amount of money we are paying for the "bail out".
Write your congress person.

I guess the world leaders are supposed to drink colt 45 and have ramen noodles?1 $500 is not too ridiculous.

You forgot Jimmy Carter. His hobby is wine making and his wines go for up to $4,000 per bottle at charity auctions. Now that would be excessive.

I hope the leaders of Saudi Arabia and Turkey (and other Muslims in the group) do not drink alcohol and will settle for tea or coffee. That would save the world economy from collapse!

Who cares? They worked hard to become leaders.

This is NOT an excuse for what appears to be wretched excess, but reporting should be accurate. This wine is sold in the usual 750ml bottles, but also in 1.5 and 3 liter bottles. A quick check of wine.com showed that the $499 price was for a 1.5 liter bottle, twice the size of what most of us buy. Even so, I will likely never taste a wine like this, but I also will likely never have to send citizens to die or make decisions that affect the lives of millions. I'd much rather have the wine served to elected world leaders than execs who reap multi-million dollar bonuses while my own investments in their products are in the tank.

Alexander, get your facts straight and report them properly.

I see nothing wrong with this.

I think alcohol is a REQUIREMENT for discussing the economy that Bush has created! Lots of It!!

Instead of "Let them eat cake," 'W.' can say "Let them drink Ripple."

One of the main causes of the financial meltdown we find ourselves in is self-indulgent consumption at all rungs of the socio-economic ladder. At the top CEOs with obscene pay packages, in the middle gas guzzling SUVs and at the bottom homes and life styles that didn't match pay scales.

The office of the President can be at its best when it leads by example. In a pattern that sadly has become a template for the Bush W.H., 'W.' has led by showing us how not to act…feed your face while talking about helping people cope with financial crisis.

Think about what kind of message would have been sent if someone had the common sense to tone down the menu. One more missed opportunity.

As long as they are still eating off of Lenox china, which is made in the USA…

Yes, lets complain about this while real issues are being discussed. Please.

I bet you'd rather them server some of the most powerful men/women in the world Blue Nun? Really?!

How nice. And to think, I just told my family that I could not afford to take them out to dinner and we ended up having tuna sandwiches instead. Bon appetit, monsieur President and world leaders!!!

To quote Mel Brooks, "It's good to be the King."

Well, what do we expect when Obama is going to spend $1 Million on his inauguration? 'Change," my behind! And I voted for him! I wonder how many families would not have faced foreclosure in the month of October if Obama and McCain had spent a reasonable amt of money on their campaigns and given the rest away to US citizens in dire need.

oh come on! does that mean the president and the world leaders should eat $1 McDonald's meals in order to save money?

we need to focus on the FOREST, not the trees.

Thomas Jefferson was the first president to be a great devotee of wine, but at the time it was French wine. His comments are still often cited in wine circles. He spent a small fortune on the stuff. A more recent fan has been Clinton (no big surprise). Bush is not a tea totaller, but is apparently not an oenophile. A wine like the one they are having – a very, very good US wine, but not the top of the heap – seems to me completely appropriate. What did they pay for it? Well, that wine was about $100 on release, at retail. I suspect the White House kitchen paid under $50.

**
so much the "40″ and a "corn dog" from the local Town Pump.
.

I hate government waste as much as anybody else, but this is totally appropriate. Most of these folks travelled half way around the world.

Bush is already perceived as a goat roper. His staff NEEDS to break out the good stuff.

ok ok david c…….i just had two friends laid off

How can stuff turn upside down like this….overnight…no warning at all over the past 8 years…..

No "whoa"….no "slow down"

it feels like you cant even trust the National Reserve or these "Brainiacs" over at the treasury not to eventually rob you ……and tell you its for your own good…..
every day i can empathize with the American Indian a little more.

Truth be told

"Heads need to roll for this, Heads must roll" metphorically speaking

What's for dessert? I don't know why this is news.

Wow, if they had 1,000,000,000 of those bottles they could pay for the bailout, almost. It is ludicous to think that you would serve world leaders anything less than $500 a bottle.

I would not expect the writer of this article to name all twenty countries involved in the G20 but you would think that the United States largest trading partner and the country currently with the most secure financial system in the world would be mentioned. CANADA!

is there nothing better to worry about.
we are facing trillion dollar deficits, incredible bankrupcy possibilities and a severe reduction and adjustment in our livestyle and then worry about Bush's fare well party? give me a break.

It's comforting to know that world leaders will be drunk while discussing solutions to the global financial crisis.

This is exactly why government is the problem and not the solution.

This story is ridiculous. We're talking about heads of state. Would it be better to take them through a drive-thru restaurant? The contributor of this story need to be asked what the motivation for this investigation is. I'm a liberal, but I agree that heads of state should be treated with the best our countries hospitality can provide.

Maybe they should have served Boonesfarm Strawberry, or maybe some Champipple, a mix of Alittle Chapmpaigne and Ripple….Lmao

I am wondering where this information comes from. I am a wine collector. The highest price I can find in the country for this wine is $259.99. That is a dream price for suckers. Auction reserves range from $135-170, which would be tough to get in this economy. Bought wholesale when issued thes bottles probably cost about $60-75. I am presuming that the "bottles" in question are magnums, a double size bottle, or the else the pricing information is fictitious.

This is too much for anyone to be paying for a wine on the taxpayers dime, they should be drinking water, but the story is a gross exaggeration.

World leaders should do nothing but hiring Chief Executive and Chief Strategic Thinkers to deal with this global economy crisis.

So let's see, a $500 bottle of wine bought at wholesale is what, $250?

I'm glad that I worked about two weeks to give the federal government enough to buy wine for a bunch of rich men. WAIT! I'm looking into this too much… Let them continue to spend MY money on themselves.

@ David .C

I concur… with your comment and value your understanding.

It appears ..Everyother ..person personally just wants to pick anything up from a News for an comment without even a rationalize thought..

Governments would always be Blamed for ' something ' which does not sometimes warrant Discussions..
It is as usually the MEDIA … which makes a NEWS and Breaks the Careers.

I'm sure if it was Obama serving that to his guests, everyone would be totally fine with it. It's just because it's Bush and the Haters are running out of time to criticize every move he makes. I know I'll have 4 years to do my share of criticizing…..

This is stupid. We were entertaining world leaders. Of course you serve them nice wine. I am against wasteful spending as much as anyone, but this is not and example of wasteful spending. I think everyone needs to calm down a little bit.

You expect world leaders to eat hot dogs and tater tots washed down with diet coke? Who cares. The White House can have all the fine wine it wants, just cut the Pentagon budget by a zillionth of a percent…

It's ridiculous to complain about the cost of a dinner like this. In the scheme of things, it's an insignificant amount, and the President of the United States has to provide an elegant meal for world leaders. Do you think the White House should be serving Hamburger Helper and Bud Lite?

I am one of the many Americans who can't wait for the Bush administration to vacate the White House, but I don't have a problem at all with this type of state dinner. Government heads going back centuries have provided elaborate meals for their peers; its protocol, and it's a way of honoring guests and showing them respect.

As stated in the article the Whitehouse buys wholesale. That most likely means that they buy when wine is being released at a volume discount price. When this wine was released in 2006 it retailed for about $200-$210 a bottle. Not cheap, but consider that then there is a further discount for wholesale purchasing and I wouldn't be surprised if they purchased the wine for as little as $100-$150 a bottle. Again, not cheap, but consider the guests and expectations for White House dining and it isn't all that unreasonable. Last thought on this is that the White House exclusively serves American made wines and has done so since at least the Nixon administration. That means that when the White House buys cases of wine they are infusing the American economy (in a small way) with money.

Oh yeah did I mention that this wine was most likely purchased 2 years ago not last week…

This is a non-issue, The wine was there already, it is the Whithouse, and there are standards that apply at these types of events.

Yet another outrage from the George W. Bush administration and an insult to the American taxpayer. What happened to Republicans advocating less government and cutting government spending ?
Guess Republicans only want to cut government spending when it does not benefit them or their cronies.

I'm sure this is the cheap stuff given the economy and all since it would have been in extremely poor taste to serve the expensive wine. And also remember, this would cost a LOT more if the Europeans had to buy it since the dollar is so highly valued right now!

This is very appropriate as we should always put our best foot forward in hosting foreign dignitaries. It's called PROTOCOL folks so chill out.

Would you complainers have been more pleased if they served some cheap jug wine? Get off your high horse. If the summit were in France, they would have served great Bordeaux. In Italy, some great Barolo. Etc., etc.

And I was happy just to see Arizona tea on sale for 1.25. How out of touch can you be.

Nothing from Bush surprises me anymore. Totally disappointing!

Kind of like buying a house one cant afford and using credit to buy that $3500 sofa at Pottery Barn and that $1000 HDTV at Best Buy to stock that house; that, again, is way out of your means. The public is just as guilty as the business' making money off of the credit as well as the gov't spending their budget ("tax" money). That is what makes the system go 'round – indulgence outside of your means, credit. If you really want to make a difference, spend your own CASH to buy. See what that does, you may have box wine and a This End Up sofa but at least its paid for by your own hard work and not on credit. Get real and quit living outside of your means. I can afford a $500 bottle of wine but I prefer a two buck chuck because it tastes the same and I have $480 left. If only Traders had a credit card I could get -

what the hell people cant pay their rent these people are having 500 dollar wine….

You're right, let's not nit-pick over $500 wine. I mean an intimate group of 30 people probably only went though about 20 bottles. That would be about $10,000, chump change, right. Sounds aristocratic to me. Also, when's the last time the government bought ANYTHING wholesale??!! If it's worth 500, they probably paid 23,000.

Seriously? CNN (as usual) is trying to bring controversy to irrelevency to make advertising dollars. You don't invite world leaders over and feed them hot dogs and Busch beer, it would be a sign of disrespect.

This makes me absolutely sick. People are losing their homes and jobs (me included) and they are toasting each other with $500.00 bottles of wine. This really upsets me to no end.

Well, someone had to suck in all the luxury and usually it would be the elite!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I guess Canada is now considered a "developing country". Typical U.S. ignorance

I think they should offer the guests just coffee, tea or milk. They need a very clear head to try and work out the problems that have been caused by living way too far over budget.

Why would anything less be served? What would you expect- Colt .45 and MD 20/20?

This is our leader, like it or not, and this is a serious matter! If our head of state cannot serve an appropriate wine, we would lose even more 'face' than we already have. The French are here for chrissakes!

No worries, though- I am quite confident that BO's transition team has the key to the cellar and the name of the sommelier on their list.

This is why the concept of "Revolution" exists. If you don't like this, do something about it. Is this the same misuse of your taxes that you would suffer under a tyranny? Of course. The tyranny Americans suffer under today is every bit as real and a hundred times worse than that suffered by our forefathers when they resorted to musketry to set things right. The coming economic collapse will provide the stimulus for many people to start questioning what has happened to their country. Revolution and secession will be on the table.

Meanwhile, I'll be treating the girl of my dreams to a Happy Meal and I'll have a five piece McNugget with a water. Main Street still suffers while Pennsylvannia Ave spends five hundred on WINE! How about we just run our economies on sand instead of cotton

And this is any different than the how many millions Obama spent on his victory celebration in Chicago?????????

And it will be any different that when Obama has his party after taking office????

Do you think people are thining about the economy when they shell out 1000s of dollars to attend the inaguration?????

Oh maaaaannnnnn… The White House is gunna audit every reporter involved in breaking this story!!

who cares about millionares!

LOL@Martin Howell….

But I don't care about them serving wine that costs that much…these are WORLD LEADERS…I'm sure they would do the same had they hosted…

People at the top of the economic pyramid have a perverse sense of values. The income levels, greed, and malfeasance of corporate leaders in this country is contemptable and simply un-American. I'm sure a lot of those folks jumped on the "William Ayers is a terrorist" bandwagon during the election, but the damage they have done to this country makes Ayers look like a Boy Scout.

People need to relax. What is the big deal? Do you expect the president to serve dominoes to fellow world leaders?

Are you people serious? You can't serve world leaders Mad Dog 20/20 and ground beef! Who cares even if it is a $500 bottle of wine – those AIG execs. are drinking far better than that on our tax dollars!

Imagine what the other world leaders must think..they are all in this financial mess too (except for the Saudi's)…more American excess.

it's basic protocol. You have government leaders from other countries, you treat them well. It's what I or anyone else will do for a special guest. Chill out.

what about appearances to those in need?

What better way to instill confidence in the world's economic condition than to serve $500 per bottle wine for an "intimate" gathering of the top leaders of 20 of your closest allies…..

Soooo now its a world wide wealth distribution

hosted by Bush/Cheney

What other country can you fall asleep on the job while playing cowboys and indians and get to increase your personal wealth….and your oil , arms race buddies

HUH!….. WHAT OTHER COUNTRY!!!!

I don't know the White House budget for entertainment and travel but there sure is a lot of saving to be done. The Pres travels overseas with many hundreds of people. The more you have the more you need to handle them. Most are not necessary. Suggest that Obama travel with whoever fits on Air Force One plus a reasonable security detail. Pre-advance or pre-pre-advance visits of many dozens are wasteful. For every domestic or international trip, the numbers should be posted on the internet immediately for all to see.

The media is spinning this. I found this same wine online for $245 a bottle and snce this is a 2003 vintage, the White House probably purchased it in bulk a couple of years ago and got it at wholesale for a LOT less than $245. I'm sure there are a lot of wineries that wholesale their wine to the whitehouse just for the prestige. You can bet this wine WILL retail for nearly $500 after this story.

Just another example of this administrations arrogance and elitism. I;m so glad it's coming to an end. I didn't have rack of lamb and wine for dinner tonight and I;m sure most of America didn;t either. Ironic that world leaders are here to discuss the economy as they enjoy fine wine and food. I'm sure the poor and starving both here and in the visiting leaders countries are impressed. I hope the new administration has more decency. Perhaps this dinner would have better been held at a homeless shelter or a soup kitchen so the elite leaders couold see how the non elite live. One $500.00 bottle of wine would go along way towards feeding the hungry here in AMERICA tonight. Get Real

You people here are about as petty as I've ever seen,even this article about the price of the wine is pretty cheesy .What would you have the President do,give his guest Ripple in a paper bag like you drink.?

nice… Well, they are trying to stimulate the economy, I guess. hehe

what? no Olde English 40s or MD20/20 in the cellar?

Well I'm glad they don't serve Boones Farm or anything with a screw off top.

Its a texas wine. bought with oil money. get back to work.

It's hilarious how upset the 'it's not fair' crowd is getting over this. He's meeting with world leaders, the wine's probably been in the cellar for years, get over it. What would you have him serve instead? BBQ hot dogs and Keystone Light?

It's totally inappropriate for the White House and for Mrs Bush to serve such an expensive wine. American citizens are busy losing their jobs and wondering whether they'll be able to make the next mortgage payment. This is taxpayers' money that Mrs Bush is busy squandering and she should be ashamed of herself for being so irresponsible.

I think it would be more fitting to just offer coffee, tea or milk. With a clear head, they may be able to handle the mess that overspending and overborrowing has caused.

J.O.

I SAY THEY ALL GET A 10 PIECE CHICKEN NUGGET VALUE MEAL UNTIL THEY COME UP WITH A PLAN THAT WILL PUT SOME MONEY IN MY POCKET!

oh laura bush. keep buying your suits that costs thousands of dollars and using up everything you can. didn't nancy reagan spend a million on the white house china? te funny thing is laura bush grew up drinking pabst blue ribbon

The United States has an image that needs to be upheld when in the presence of world leaders. We can't just serve them bread and water. Being gracious hosts to our neighbors is of much more value to the United States in the long run. There's plenty of government largess to analyze, so why don't we stick to attacking the really bad stuff?

500$ a bottle? Doesn't sound so bad, I would have expected this to be much more expensive. If it were two thousand per bottle that would be an outrage, but at 500, its not even a drop in the bucket.

so … they should be served Budweiser's and burgers instead? Big deal, Joe the wine seller has got to make his money too ya know.

outrageous

Well….. someone has to use it right?

Do you people honestly care if the White House serves $500 wine while hosting world leaders? Would you be happier if they greeted them with a big mac and diet coke instead? I know you are all fairly simple people with limited imagination, but there is some tangible value in treating powerful world leaders that you are hosting to the very best you have to offer.

This is petty talk, I am sorry.

Because drinking cheap wine at a G-20 summit would go over real well. This is a stupid story

I wasn't aware that Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan and South Korea were "developing economies", as the list near the end of the article appears to suggest.

The rich only care about people that aren't rich because they'll work harder in lower paying jobs for them, then buy whatever they're selling. They're not going to sacrifice in their own life, they'll simply cut jobs and salaries, and raise prices so they can keep the lifestyle to which they are accustomed.

They have a cellar full of wine. They pull out what's most appropriate for heads of state. If the President of some country came to your house for a formal dinner, you'd probably want your best stuff out.

They most likely got it at wholesale. But then some of you'd probably criticize them for getting special treatment.

That wine only costs $133.33 wholesale, the restaurants i work for sell it for $265. i don't know how wine.com can sell it for $500!!

Pure crap to the Bush household!

What is wrong with the wine that I buy for $3.99 for a large bottle it is called Arbor Mist. It comes in blackberry, peach, strawberry, raspberry, and tropical fruit flavor. More waste of the tax payers money thanks to the GOP (Gay Old Party) Jim Hall Kansas City Missouri.

Phil Gramm and George Bush's favorite tongue twister:
" why does a nation of whiners whine about wine?"
"Probably beacause the people would prefer a proper piece of the pie."
"A piece of the Pie?…why that would go great with my wine"

It is not as bad as paying 150K for dressing a VP candidate.

I'm OK with spending on dining VIP's visiting us. These are not ordinary VIPs … these are leaders of some powerful countries. Got to keep them happy!

What's the point of this article? Why don't we just serve the world leaders Big Gulps from 7-Eleven?

wait when i saw this, i thought it was really a joke, every person that deals with organizing events and the pr staff in the white house should be fired, i really hope this blows up because this is just wrong they should have been dining on dollar menu sandwiches and generic sodas r u serious 500 bottle of wine can u imagine taking a sip of the wine and then turning to the president of another country and saying how hard the economy is. Something tells me no leader would take a sip of the wine. there is no way any one with morals can do that. Just like the head of AIG caught on tape in that expensive hotes . Please presidents prove to me that you are better than that.

I'll be thinkin' of 'em when I'm chasin' down my hot dog with a PBR.

Bon appetite, and don't forget to talk about this financial crisis while you're sipping $500. wine.

Of course these politicians and their appointees feel that they deserve only the best at, "such a gathering". this is what happens when "leaders" separate themselves from those they claim to represent.

Just because they have behaved this way all along does NOT excuse their skewed sense of entitlement. Do not forget who pays for EVERYTHING that government buys/does/gives away in our name.

I wonder what the new president will feel is appropriate for these functions, after he "spreads the wealth around"?

What the H E double L is wrong with these idiots? No one should pay more than a hundred bucks for an American wine. Or eighty for that matter. There isn't a single vintner in America that produces wines that are that stellar.

People (rich and otherwise) are so full of themselves….

CAREFUL people

They have doing this for GENERATIONS and they never wrote about it. This is a set-up so the Obamas will have to live on Big Macs and Happy meals for 8 years or risk looking bad.

DON'T BUY INTO THE HYPE!

Yeah…as upset as I am about the financial crisis, I really do think it's okay if we splurge on world leaders…

That desperate to stir up controversy?

A nice Napa Valley wine with a great bouquet.At least it isnt French.

Ok, this is just sensational journalism. That wine may have been donated to the White House by Shafer and now they have gotten more press than they ever would have thanks to CNN. The wine probably cost 100 dollar a bottle if the White House bought it at most and for something along these lines, it's not unheared of or even shameful. For those who are just going nuts, perhaps we should audit your spending and see how much you've spent on cigarettes, liquor and any other "unnecessary" spending.

And I am a die hard left wing Democrat in case you're wondering.

But let's face it, the world is a selfish, greedy place and it always will be. How about actually acting upon it and volunteering, helping your fellow man and getting madder than hell about things that matter, like the kitten being kicked by the teenagers on cnn today. How about thinking about those who have no ability to take care of themselves and stop worrying about a stupid bottle of wine, no matter how great it probably was.

I think it was a going away party for bush.

How wonderful, while the rest of us are wondering how we are going to pay our bills the bigwigs are dining lavishly, and drinking 500.00 a bottle wine. When is this going to stop, how long are the american people going to keep putting up with this. I think George Bush should be put out before time ,They should move the inauguration date up so he can get out of there, and stop making fools out of the american people

Would you rather they have kool-aid? How stupid. Let's find out what kind of shower gel Laura uses and see if someone in America has a coupon.

Gee, I am really shocked!

What do you think is happening to all of the 700 Billion + 150 Billion in PURE PORK our Congressmen/Congresswomen & Senators gave to companies like AIG?

How any American with a brain can fail to understand that the rich & powerful will always "Take care of their Own" is totally beyond me!

What's with some of you people on this blog? What would you have the White House serve them, $1.99 bottle wine? It is called Hospitality. And I won't be surprised if the White House got the wine at next to thing prices.
Let's move to the next topic, such as why on earth would Obama consider Hillary for SoS?

Let us not forget that it was not world leaders that generated the current financial crisis. . .but the corporate lenders that made a multitude of poor financial decisions. . .oh and by the way all of those of my "poor" fellow americans who needed thier big screen TVs, football tickets and fishing boats so badly that they charged them to a VISA or took out a lien on their house for simple, empty pleasures. It is time to pay the piper. . .not blame the leaders who have to fight ignorance to save people from themselves

Unreal… thats all it is is unreal.. bunch of wind out of the mouth from the right and left….

This article is retarded. Seriously? Who cares. Do you really expect the white house to serve world leaders box wine? Dear god.

Come on…. There are more important things to worry about than the price of a bottle of wine at a dinner with international dignitaries. You are hosting the decision makers of the world, what do you expect, serve them $20 wine?

I am the biggest cheapskate you will find anywhere – my last pair of shoes were worn until they quite literally fell apart, and so will my current pair.

This is one instance, however, where I will go back on a lifetime of pennypinching.

When the leaders of countries show up, it's time to break out the quail and the good wine. Can you imagine – "Thank you for coming, President Sarkozy. Here's a sandwich and some Pepsi."

The country's financial state does not have to reflect on United States President guest's dinner plate…. This article is in bad taste. There are many important National/International NEWS articles/issues which need to be reported.

$500/bottle what a deal. Let's be glad it not SilverOak. I hope it's a domestic wine. It's W's last chance to dine world leaders on the taxpayers dime. My Guess Shafer Winery is in need of some free publicity.

This wine is available for as little as $135 in many shops. Not very accurate reporting CNN.

Such a scandal! The top leaders in the world eat and drink better than other people? Whooda thunk? I suppose the White House should now only serve day old bread and dirty water to demonstrate the president's sympathy for those suffering in the economic recession?

Glad to see the same morons that got us into this economic mess are still living large. Pathetic.

May I suggest the George W. send a few bottles to our soldiers fighting his war.

$500 bottles? I gotta say, can I order some? LOL!!!

and I can't afford Mt Dew anymore……

want to help the economy and bail out the banks…divide up the billions of dollars you are giving the banks and other companies and give all of it to the poor. Most of them will put it in the bank (because of the types of neighborhoods some of us have to live in) and then start spending it and live high on the hog for a while because they don't have the luxury of putting it in stocks or savings because they are to busy trying to survive and have so many things they have done without . The banks will get an infusion of money and the big four in detroit will see some cars bought because most of us could use a new one.

No embarrasement at all from Laura over discovering the stuff is now worth 500 a bottle. I suppose it didnt occur to her that they white house might liquidate some of the wine stocks that have appreciated and return the money to the taxpayers. Then serve a nice Cab that costs about 20 bucks a bottle.

This is disgusting. Heads should roll for this. There are a lot of Americans who don't make that much money in a week.
Shame on the administration for allowing this!!!!!
Shame Shame Shame
There are literally hundreds of American wines that are fantastic for about $30 a bottle. This is an outrage!

This is a little petty what should they serve them MD20/20?

Thanks for not mentioning Canada in the "honor" roll!

OK I GUESS YOU WOULDNT PRINT MY EXPLETIVE..OK OK BUT REALLY WHAT ARE OUR LEADERS SHOWING BY THIS STUPID DISPLAY OF EXCESS..GET REAL FOR GOD'S SAKE HOW MANY CHANCES DO YOU NEED TO SHOW SOME RESPECT AND RESPONSIBILITY..YOUR PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If I were a world leader visiting the White House, I would expect to drink good wine. It probably is the cheapest wine they have in the White House, would you like them to go to the local supermarket and buy a cheaper bottle? Yellowtail maybe?

I'd be getting tanked if I screwed up the entire world. Wouldn't you?

I don't have a problem with this. They are the leaders of the world and we should host them appropriately. Symbolic austerity isn't going to fix the economy.

heaven knows, we wouldn't want to leave it behind for those "tax and spend" liberals who are about to move in…

What is a "reasonable" level of compensation for public service these days anyway?

I'm sure that the white house got it for very cheap, look at the advertising they get to the world. Plus, it is custom to offer foreign dignitaries the best that your country has to offer. I'm sure hosting the dignitaries is cheaper then flying ole george over to europe anyway.

My buddy and I drank 6 bottles of homemade potato wine at 50 cents a bottle last night. The white house wine would have cost us 6000 dollars. I would sell my wine 30 cents wholesale to the white just to save the working taxpayer money. A buzz is a buzz.. Can't believe why the public is not in a uproar;

What makes these leader think they are deserving of such dining. When they are the ones who brought this calamity down on us and the rest of the world. It is time for the people to stand up and take back their countries . These leaders shoud have said NO BUT HELL NO WILL I DINE WITH SUCH FOOLS.

CNN … you stink !

What a lousy article to post about our White House. I don't like GWB but this has nothing to do with that. Please stop this nonsense.

this is dumb
what do you want, for the white house to serve orange juice?

how much the white house spends on its guests has nothing to do with the economy.

WooHoo!! The repugs are at it again lol this country and other world countries are in a recession depression and what do we do as good hosts? We serve 500 dollar a bottle wine with quail and lamb!! nice use of the taxpayers money president and Mrs Bush!!

I sure everyone posting here realizes that most of our US leaders (I can't speak for the rest of the world) are educated in law and business etc. and could be making huge sums of money in the private sector but instead have chosen to serve their country for a fraction of the income that they could be making.

I say THANK YOU for giving up all aspects of your private lives and having your personal business blared all over the news to serve us. I hope you enjoyed the wine, you probably deserved it.

Let all these heads of state wear their purple and dine on the finest. Because there will come a time when the beggers–working americans paying for this–will be rewarded greatly with eternal peace and the rich and greedy will also be rewarded–with eternal punishment.

You've got to be kidding!! No wonder why we have a "Global" recession!!

Hey – they served a ten-course meal on the Titanic just before it sank. The wine, etc., seems like a mere pittance for the ones who are the rats this time. Lifeboats anyone?

And to think we still have starving children here in the U.S. ….

are you kidding me????????

how ridiculous. They really are looking to incite a revolt aren't they.
Then they can enforce Martial Law and put us in the FEMA concentration camps. BUT none of you will even know about that because this too will be unseen courtesy of moderation,

I would expect the White House to serve a nice wine, definitely not "Two Buck Chuck" but that does seem a tad pricy for a bottle of vino. Perhaps someone from Stags Leap, Napa can explain themselves.

Is this charged to the $700 billion economic stimulus tab? I mean, they might as well. They're talking about the economy, right? This is pathetic.

This is more than just an excellent wine, it is one of the top representations of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from the Stags' Leap District. Shafer Hillside Select is the result of the hard work and dedication of the Shafer family and their winemaker, Elias Fernandez. They deserve to have their wine showcased by our President to foreign dignitaries.

I'm just happy they haven't actually started drinking our blood yet. Take the wine, and our rights and our taxes, and our sons and daughters, and our jobs, and our savings and………….

Old Georgie probably figures what the hell…sort of his "last supper" !

This article sounds like its from TMZ, or Inside Edition, i though CNN was better then that.

As for what they were doing? They are high society, and they were discussing our economic issues, but it was a high society event too.

I am not high society, but i at least understand that we will do what fits to as we are.

Report on something that matters. Ridiculous! I could care less.

It should have been BYOB… sheesh

Get. Over. It. Your children are not, nor have they ever had to be, begging for bread on the streets. Stop whining for one minute about someone having more than you do, and think about how many in the world have so much less. And maybe you could even thank God for His blessings.

When world leaders are visiting the Whitehouse you don't serve them koolaid.

While my dinner tonight consisted of 2-fried eggs, baked beans and a muffin perhaps Laura Bush might enlighten me on just what exactly she ment by "it was an appropriate time for The White House to use this stock."
And by the way – wasn't it the President of France who spear headed this meeting and not Bush?

Americans don't lack confidence in the market – we lack confidence in our government to resolve the problem. Oh well – cheers.

While it may be a PR nightmare, what would we have the WH staff serve? Coors Light in a can?? A world leader needs to command respect, and one way of doing that is to show power in subtle ways.

whats wrong with it. it helps the economy? we need a consumer.
if we don't spend, they rob our money and spend it for us.

It wouldn't be so annoying if they weren't using our tax dollars, printing more money, or borrowing money to pay for it. It's also a bit insensitive given the number of people out of work and/or struggling to buy the basics. But, our current government of the people, rarely, if ever, operates along the same standards as those who are of privilege.

Having grown up in the Washington area, I can testify that there are many excellent wine stores in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia where Napa Valley cabernets can be purchased for significantly less than $500. I encourage the relevant White House staff to make like the rest of us and shop around.

Could they solve our problems more quickly over Chicken Tenders and Tater Tots, washed down with vintage Boones Farm?

Considering the state of the economy it is appropriate for our leaders to drink $500 bottle wine and dine in style !

What does anyone expect from this adminstration? The entire bunch are losers. God I cann't wait until Jan. 20th at 12:00 noon.

Remember that as the Titanic was sinking, the rich people were the first to be loaded into the life boats.

Also be aware that on the Easter Island, the wealth caste depleted all the natural resources in order to build all those stone heads. The working caste revolted and ended up killing and eating the wealthy caste.

Food for thought, so to speak.

Good use of tax dollars. At least Obama "practices what he preaches."

ARE THESE HIPPOCRATS HERE REALLY TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM???

I could almost agree with the poster who said we should not nit-pick…but for heavens sake…this is what is wrong with this country..taxpayers are paying for that wine..and we are paying for the bad mortgages…and we are paying for AIG retreats and bonuses..enough is enough. I don't expect anything to change.

Well, maybe the good wine will put them in a good mood to work through this crisis. Kind of a moot point though. Is this supposed to make us angry? Come on CNN, this is not news other than the fact that they're meeting.

You know, when people talk about hardship and you do not know first hand what that feels like, then you do not have any idea. I say that these VIPs should be served cheap wine and told that this is what most can afford, if even then.

Bush just DOESN'T GET IT!

Highest disapproval rating in the 60-year history and well-deserved.

Bush wants to drink his stock before he leaves….

This is why the common people over-threw royalty in France. They just couldn't stand seeing the opulence flaunted in their faces, when everyone else was in dire straights.

Does anyone else just not find this crap amusing……..

Let them drink Ripple.

So do you expect to have a meeting of world leaders drinking yellow tale Merlot and coolaid? This is not something to put into perspective. Grow up!!!

How about we distribute the country's wealth equally to everyone, so that there won't be any complaints.

What a bunch of dummies. Must be a bunch of Republicans.

I don't see the problem. As the story says, the wine has been in the cellar for some time (probably since 2004 or 2005, given that it's the 2003 vintage). I would have a problem if they were going out and buying this wine specifically for this dinner, but that's not the case. It's already paid for. My only issue is that it is too young to drink!

On eBay right now, a bottle of Shafer "Hillside Select" '99 is selling for $429. Is it too late to pull a switcharoo with a few cases of Mogen David Blackberry and then do some "Buy It Now" listings on behalf of us taxpayers?

Since there has only been 6 state dinners in 8 years, this is a bargain.

am sure they would prefer to see sen. elect obama.

Its good to be the King!!

… But it is kind of funny to hear about this wine price and not hear people quietly whistling the 'Internationale' to themselves…

This isn't news….it's just trivia that only incites anger in those who want to make something of it. The wine was already purchased – world leaders should always be treated well – it's none of our business. What is our business is the issue of bailing out a car company which continually made bad decisions through the years, and using our tax money to make the bail out possible.

it's government welfare.
they don't care the rpeople are paying.

what is the carbon footprint of all these private aircraft comin in?
what's wrong with a tele-conference?

Just like the people who took our bail out money. The government who just keeps on giving – to the rich.

And they scold AIG.

I almost can't wait to get laid off so these people can't get anymore money from me!

2003??

2002 of the same wine was much more seamless and well balanced. too bad they couldn't afford the good stuff.

on a serious note, the 2003 is still a bit young. i think 10 more years in the cellar can make this wine a much better drink.

ah well.

Maybe they should sell that stock at retail price and then put that money towards paying off the debt this administration has put us in. Every little bit counts!

As for wine served at the party, maybe it'd nicer if it was a BYOB kind of event. Makes it more interesting!

After the meal, the world leaders will crack open the cellar's cognac and armagnac and laugh at the hoi polloi across the street: "Let them eat cake!"

These are leaders of America…I would do the same. If you want a piece of it, go out and get it. Obama proved that anyone can do great things if they work hard and believe.

I think this is one of those stories that are printed just to get folks riled up. Heck I wish an expensive dinner was the ONLY problem we had to worry about with this country. Baseball is about to start their free agent signings and look at all the money these guys are going to get in our bad economy. We'll complain about it sure, but we'll still buy those game tickets, jerseys, high priced food and parking to keep it all going. This isn't going to end anytime soon.

Hey Laura …

Bring out the good stuff

Don't want those Dems. to get it .. Hey, Hey …

Just a point of order…Canada is also one of the countries there and last time I checked we aren't a 'developing country'…we've actually been rated as having the best banking system in the world. It's about time those south of the border look to the north for direction and give us the respect we deserve.

Interesting. It looks like Canada, Australia and the US are under the developing economies.

"The leaders of the U.K., France, Russia, China, India, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey and 11 developing economies"

who cares, getting so sick of these irrelevant articles

The liberal media will continue to find something, anything, to make a big deal out of concerning President Bush. This is the United States of America. The President is hosting 20 world leaders, you would rather prefer the White House serve Mad Dog wouldn't you?? Go find a story that the American people are concerned about.

This is not news, they always do this. How about report more on the CEO that get a grip of money from these bailouts.

what, do want to give the world leaders a bottle of boones? Lets worry about more important stuff. Don't get me wrong, I'm always up for sticking it to Bush, but this is ridiculous.

I like beer. Bud Select 2008, $6.50 / six pack.

Don't forget the Lame Duck at the top of the menu – it's always a favorite.

Well I certainly wouldn't want our country to be serving Boone's Farm! Anything in that cellar is fair game….

Yep, George W. just does not get it. Millions of Americans, many of whom probably voted for him, have lost their jobs.. and their savings! Reminds me of how the French Revolution started….Let them eat cake, is the phrase that I recall…. well let the G-7 drink $500 wine… hope that they all sleep well while we working folks worry about feeding our kids!

I wonder what was Nero drinking…?

I dont know about everyone else, but nothing says "financial meltdown" to me like being forced to eat quail and drink $500 wine. I'll bet just seeing that on the menu drove the message home…

they're stimulating the economy.

what, do want to give the world leaders a bottle of boones? Lets worry about more important stuff. Don't get me wrong, I'm always up for sticking it to Bush, but this is ridiculous.

Whats the difference? We have to pay for Obama's mother in law to live in the White House.

Maybe it will trickle down

There are real examples of wasteful government spending out there worthy of reporting, however this is not one of them.

This is going a little overboard. You might as well criticize the president for living in that huge mansion…

"For God's sake, let's not pick apart everything, including the wine they're serving to world leaders. Things have been done this way for ever, let's not get patheitic."

The very reason we are in this mess is that everyone has been doing things "this way for ever".

Now is the time to start fresh…and sober.

As concerned as I am regarding the economy and as big of a critic I am towards G.DUBYA, I can say this is all okay. These are world leaders. Even families down the street making 6 figures are welcome to enjoy expensive bottles of wine. WHO CARES! If you all had the money i'm sure you would be doing the same. Some of us who should be cooking at home or eating off the dollar menu at McDonald's are rather going to eat at expensive steakhouses.

In other words, who cares!

~Lawrence

Hey!!! The world is going to end soon, why not drink the good stuff!!!!

The argument that the wine has been bought and paid for already is false.

Expensive wine can be sold instead of consumed.

I hope that they don't have enough in store to make a dent in the deficit, but one never knows…

I think this is perfectly appropriate. The wine was probably for free or for cost to the manufacturer. The outrage would be if the white house served wine from some other country.

I've never had $500 wine but I would never begrudge any president, no matter how unpopular, the bounty of his nation.

its important to make your guests feel at home. its important for the u.s. to be hospitable. its like when your mother in law is coming over to the house even though you lost your job a couple of months ago. you don't want her to see you living badly… give the white house a break!

This as I eat my brown bag lunch…….ham and cheese sandwich and chips…..hell, I might even splurge on a soft drink.

Oh my god, let us not be so childish.

What do you think President Obama or any future presidents will serve world leaders? A leftover sandwich from whitehouse kitchen?

Since when, we become so cheap. Do you guys want president bush or obama s to wear clothes from swiftshops.

It is just the complete lack of concern. They are politicians. They know all about appearances. The Bush White House just doesnt care. It bails out mortgage bankers but is willing to let auto workers go unemployed. I can't stand it anymore.

It's a state dinner. The way they choose to host other countries reflects on our country as a whole. We are still one of the wealthiest nations on Earth, and it is completely appropriate for us to entertain in this way. This is completely different than AIG throwing extravagant parties after getting bailout money.

What a crappy way to show fiscal responsibility. Things like this make me sad. People are starving here in America. Food pantries are bare. This is ridiculous.

Nero (Bush) fiddles while Rome (the United States) burns…

LOL…I guess the Fred Sanford special (aka Ripple) was out of the question. Gotta love our government

Independent white female – I agree. What do you people expect them to serve – Boone's Farm?

For that matter, a video conference would have been a more efficient way to discuss the issue.

This is an outrage………………..we need real leadership who will put an end to this waste.

The best thing about this article is that it has nothing do do with Sarah Palin.

Is this seriously news? Do you really think serving world leaders a box of wine and a bag of chips is a good idea? Freaking media.

haha…i love this c'try…for those of u who think the gov't is gonna spend too much on these "so called" world leaders, wait 'til u see the receipt after they've all left the c'try…but is anyone gonna be surprised, really?..

Kina

Someone tell me why this matters? You don't serve Coca-Cola to foreign dignitaries, you butter em up a bit.

And the rest of America will be dining on some lovely cheesy tots from the BK value menu and washing it down with Boone's Farm 2008.

Compliments from the taxpayers. Will this madness never end? (At least it appears to be an American wine.)

Good use of tax dollars.

Must be nice to be a world leader. Of course they wouldn't skimp just because the little people have to.

I'd like to have the bottles of wine the Saudis don't drink. There is a time to criticize spending, however this is not one of them.

lol..so ironic…"ladies and gentlemen, our economies are all going broke but we are all going down in style" no J.K….this is so ironic though

I so want to see what they have in the White House wine cellar. I bet that was the only "reasonably" inexpensive wine in bulk.

Can you imagine how many bottles they have? And I bet every president brought something special to the cellar.

That's fine, its part of the White House cellar already paid for. This article only incites jealousy and angst in the populace. Its totally OKAY for the president of the United States to wine and dine his guests.

Yes excellent way to show the public how much you care

For God's sake, let's not pick apart everything, including the wine they're serving to world leaders. Things have been done this way for ever, let's not get patheitic.

Enjoy yourselves. We'll print more money.