(Wine-Searcher) - The beer-drinking politician turned to the grape after a leadership battle almost toppled him.

His official wine cellar was described as "tragic" and "bewildering" while he was in office, but former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott clearly saved the best for last.

After a 13-month legal wrangle, an Australian opposition senator, Penny Wong, succeeded in having Abbott's unredacted expense receipts released and they revealed that, during his final months as premier, the famously enthusiastic beer drinker spent A$7340 ($5480) in a two-month spell between February and April last year.

The spending came shortly after an attempt by members of his own party to roll him as leader.

The wines he splashed out on included Clonakilla Riesling at A$34.99 a bottle and Cullen Cabernet Merlot at A$44.99 a bottle. However, the wines were all subject to 10 percent discount for buying in either six- or 12-bottle lots.

In 2014, Abbott was lambasted in the Australian press for holding a relatively miserable cellar for a world leader. Wine writers were appalled that it contained not a bottle of such iconic Australian wines as Penfold's Grange, Henschke Hill of Grace or de Bortoli Noble One. Instead, visitors to Canberra were offered aged Sauvignon Blanc and Moscato, alongside some more acceptable offerings from better producers in Margaret River and South Australia.

Since purchasing the Napa Valley Wine Train in September 2015, Noble House has been making small enhancements to the Wine Train, including buying the first 36-seat 1920s Pullman rail car that will be the home of Quattro Vino. A second 1920s Pullman “open” car will also be added to the Quattro Vino tour.