Derryn Hinch enjoying a glass of wine he insists his non-alcoholic at the Melbourne Cup 2016. Picture: Jason Edwards

The senator, who was previously forced to undergo a liver transplant, was seen enjoying a fulsome glass of red at Flemington on Tuesday afternoon.

Dressed to impress in a navy suit, sky blue shirt with cufflinks and red polka dot tie, Mr Hinch was seen savouring the wine’s heady aroma while mixing with racegoers including Foreign Minister Julie Bishop.

Picture: Jason EdwardsSource:News Corp Australia

Derryn Hinch drinking ‘wine’. Picture: Jason EdwardsSource:News Corp Australia

But Mr Hinch has insisted he wouldn’t end up in a drunken heap, like many others at the Cup. He Tweeted earlier on Tuesday he’d had some bottles of his favourite alcohol free Shiraz specially “couriered” to the Emirates marquee.

Talking to the Herald Sun from Flemington he challenged anyone to “go and check with the bar man that’s what I’m drinking”.

Mr Hinch said he had got more criticism on social media to admitting to watering down a glass of Grange to drink on Christmas Day than his admission he occasionally had started drinking again.

In 2007, Mr Hinch revealed that he was suffering from advanced cirrhosis of the liver brought on by chronic alcohol abuse.

Talking to Channel Nine he confessed to marathon drinking sessions that would last for more than 12 hours.

Derryn Hinch, wine glass in hand, with Julie Bishop at Flemington Racecourse. Picture: Jason EdwardsSource:News Corp Australia

“We’d have lunch every Friday from one to two — 1pm to 2am,” reported Fairfax Media.

The former alcoholic, who had previously described himself as a “professional drunk”, had sworn off the booze after his life saving transplant which he received in 2011.

But last month, the self-confessed Human Headline lived up to his nickname making a splash with news he’s “back on the booze”.

Mr Hinch said he knocked back a watered-down wine weekly and on special occasions with his doctor’s permission.

However, his former partner has rejected his protestations that he enjoyed a drink only in moderation saying he downed up to two bottles a day after getting a new liver.

In an interview from her New Zealand home, Natasha Chadwick told Sky News she had noticed her ex start to drink more after they stopped living together.

Derryn Hinch at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture Kym SmithSource:News Corp Australia

“He would drink at home, he started to have glasses of wine when we went out,” she said.

“At a maximum point, it would not be a daily occurrence, but anywhere from one to two (bottles).”

Ms Chadwick, 36, also 36 years her former partner’s junior, was with Mr Hinch for two years until she announced the end of the pair’s relationship via Facebook last year.

She stated in a social media post he had been back on booze for “12+ months”.

“So much for respecting organ donors gift of life.”

Natasha Chadwick and Derryn Hinch, pictured when the couple were together. Picture Julie Kiriacoudis.Source:News Corp Australia

Ms Chadwick said at one point, when Mr Hinch was asleep in her bed, he “absolutely reeked of booze”.

“I thought, we’ve got an issue now,” she said.

She said his favourite tipple was “cheap Gossips” — an Australian wine that retails for as low as $3.80 per bottle.

Mr Hinch brushed aside Ms Chadwick’s claims saying it was nothing more than a “break up beat up”.

“It is true that, even though the Senate dining room and the Hyatt Canberra now stock my Edenvale non-alcoholic wine, I have been known to occasionally drink real wine with the permission of my transplant surgeon Professor Bob Jones,” he said in a statement last month.

Mr Hinch said he only drank “ultralight”, non-alcoholic beer, and vowed keep his consumption levels in check.