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News
The week in pictures
The newest member of the drinks business’ staff, Darren Smith, went along to the Champagne Deutz vertical tasting at the Connaught Hotel in London this week, taking in vintages from as far back as 1988.
db was invited to taste through the entire Armand de Brignac Champagne range at the Hyatt Regency Churchill hotel this week. Bought by hip-hop mogul Jay-Z late last year from Sovereign Brands for an undisclosed sum, around 100,000 bottles of the fizz are produced every year, 80% of which is the flagship Brut Gold, a non-vintage blend of the three Champagne varieties. The brand also makes small amounts of blanc de blancs and rosé in addition to its two new additions – a blanc de noirs and a demi-sec, taking its total to five.
The tasting was hosted by Jean-Jacques Cattier, owner of Champagne house Cattier where Armand de Brignac is made. During the tasting he spoke of how attitudes in Champagne were closed to the brand to begin with but now, almost a decade on, his neighbours are finally congratulating his success. “People didn’t think the brand would succeed when it first came out but they’re coming around to our way of thinking. It’s important to innovate in this industry and I think we’ve helped change the image of Champagne and show a way for the future,” he said.
The tasting shone a light on the newest addition to the Armand de Brignac portfolio, a blanc de noirs made from Pinot Noir from Montagne de Reims, which has just gone on sale at Harrods at £695 a bottle. Gerald Loparco, the brand’s director for Europe, Africa & travel said the company was targeting the pricey expression at “high rollers from the Middle and Far East who don’t care how much money they spend”.
Wines from Rioja 10 x 10 blind judging day took place last Friday, with twelve expert judges and two Chairs – Tim Atkin MW and Sarah Jane Evans MW – assembling to whittle down hundreds of Rioja wines to the top 100 within ten diverse categories. The wines will be on show at a tasting on 10th November at Banking Hall, London. Interested parties can register to attend here: www.riojatasting.co.uk
Johnnie Walker master blender Dr Jim Beveridge has joined the likes of James Cameron and the late Neil Armstrong in being inducted into The Explorers Club in New York City this week. Members of the renowned club include those who were first to the Moon, first to the North Pole, first to the South Pole and first to the summit of Mt. Everest. Jim was honoured for his unique contributions and accomplishments in the field of chemistry which have led to the advancement of our understanding of the impact of nano-quantities of organics upon taste. He is known as “the most valuable nose in the spirits business”, Johnnie Walker said.
db paid a visit to Carlsberg’s Christmas showcase on Thursday to catch up with its wine arm, Crown Cellars, an area of the business which is in real growth, according to its director of third party brands Paul Waller, enabling the primarily beer-driven company to flex its offering to customers.
On Saturday 19 & Sunday 20 September festival-goers attended Franciacorta masterclasses led by BBC Saturday Kitchen’s wine expert, Susy Atkins and wine and drinks consultant, Christopher Cooper. Guests tasted five sparkling wines and had a chance to explore the region of Franciacorta. Franciacorta has created a targeted consumer focused programme for 2015, including the collaboration with Abergavenny Food Festival in order to reach a large number of wine enthusiasts both inside and outside of London.
Tim Herlihy, Tullamore D.E.W. US Ambassador, has been declared a “whiskey icon” as he became the first ever winner of the Irish Whiskey Brand Ambassador of the Year award, announced on Saturday, 19 September, during the Kentucky Bourbon Festival. Speaking on his win, Tim said: “I’m incredibly honoured to be named Irish Whiskey Brand Ambassador of the Year, and to be in such great company – all the nominees are people I respect greatly. I believe that it’s important to be passionate about what you do, and whiskey has always fascinated me.”
Gonzalez Byass’ UK portfolio tasting this week showcased all of the producers’ wines that are exclusive to the on-trade and independent sectors. The tasting was held in the Council Chamber of 41 Portland Place, and took a special focus on Christmas gift packs, Champagne Deutz and Quinta do Noval Ports.
This year, the Bar at the OXO Tower is teaming up with Crystal Head to offer London Cocktail Week wristband wearers a cocktail that is apparently “guaranteed to take you back to your childhood”. Created by the OXO Towers’ bar team, the cocktail combines bubblegum infused flavours with a gobstopper garnish and Crystal Head vodka. The OXO London Cocktail Week Cocktail is available for £5 to all LCW wristband holders (12.95 for non-LCW customers) during London Cocktail Week (5 – 11 Oct) at the OXO Bar.
db is delighted to bring news that Mr Plum, the winner of our wine suitcase competition, is ready and raring to go on his first wine adventure, as you can see here from this snap sent in by his owner Julie Janes.
Baron Philippe de Rothschild SA has announced that its Mouton Cadet brand is expanding its partnership as Official Wine for the 2016 Ryder Cup golf competition. Pictured is Hugues Lechanoine, managing director of Baron Philippe de Rothschild SA and Jeff Price of the PGA of America at the 2016 Ryder Cup One Year to Go event in Hazeltine, Minnesota.
Massimo Zitti of Manchester’s Cane & Grain was awarded the title of Funkin Innovation Champion last week after competing against four other noteworthy bartenders. Massimo has now been given the opportunity to work with Funkin on a paid, part-time freelance basis for one year. It was Massimo’s innovative Trade Cobbler cocktail, made with FunkinPro Citric Syrup, and the Kind of Cool cocktail made using FunkinPro Passionfruit Purée that captured the interest of the judges and ultimately won him the title of Funkin Innovation Champion. Massimo said: “I like entering competitions because I love the adrenaline and the confidence it gives you, but this year I’ve been focusing on creating drinks and writing cocktail lists. It was the idea of innovation that made me want to enter the Funkin Innovation Champion competition.”
Finally db made it to a New Zealand wine dinner organised by WanderCurtis at the Season Kitchen in Finsbury Park. Seven wines from Felton Road in Central Otago were presented by winemaker Nigel Greening, an Englishman who bought the NZ winery in 2000. Some described his 2014 Cornish Point Pinot Noir as “slutty”.
Today marks the 143rd anniversary of when Jules Verne’s famous explorer Phileas Fogg set sail on his voyage in Around the World in 80 Days. To celebrate, Mayfair-based Mr Fogg’s bar owners have reenacted the departure from London on an actual Victorian vessel, The Lady Daphne, at St. Katherine’s Docks, London, ahead of the arrival of the new Mr Fogg’s Tavern on 19th October.