The week in pictures

One of db‘s favourite Masters competition judges, Mark Savage MW couldn’t help but take part in a wine tasting while he was skiing in Alta Badia this week.

South African wine producer Kleine Zalze celebrated its 20th birthday with some of its Scottish customers and press on Tuesday at Champany Inn, Linlithgow. Sales and marketing manager Anthony Van Schalkwyk showed the brand’s key wine styles from the past, several of Kleine Zalze’s current wines as well as new wines that helped to express the future direction of the winery. 

Jameson Head Blender Billy Leighton with Jameson fans at the Old Jameson Distillery Hub, St Patrick’s Day

Jameson enjoyed three days of celebrations for this year’s St Patrick’s Day in Dublin, where the brand unveiled a new take on the Irish Coffee.

Ingredients:

• 35ml Jameson
• 90ml medium-roasted espresso coffee
• 10ml demerara and muscovado sugar syrup*
• 30ml lightly whipped double cream
• Vanilla pod, cinnamon stick, freshly ground nutmeg

Method:

• Stir the sugar syrup into the Jameson in your warmed glass
• Whip your chilled double cream lightly until it starts to stiffen
• Brew a 45ml shot into your glass from your espresso machine
• Reload and brew in a second 45ml shot
• Pour the whipped cream over the back of a spoon so it floats on top
• Garnish with a trimmed vanilla pod or a stick of cinnamon
• Dust with a grating of fresh nutmeg

Bollinger has been announced as sponsor of the Best Dressed Lady competition at the 2016 Punchestown Festival.

The social and sporting highlight of the Irish calendar takes place from Tuesday 26th April to Saturday 30th April at Punchestown Racecourse, Co. Kildare.

db was impressed this week with the new tasting ‘penthouse’ at The Vintner’s new HQ in West London, which we visited for its Spring and Summer portfolio tasting on Tuesday. Aside from the wines – and there were some crackers – the highlight was their brilliantly inventive light-fittings, custom-made for the wine merchant from genuine new French oak wine barrels and hoisted high into the rafters.

db checked out Zuma in London’s Knightsbridge on Tuesday, sampling its diverse selection of contemporary Japanese cuisine and Asian-inspired tea cocktails. Vanilla Chai was a favourite, made from a blend of Koniks Tail vodka, chai tea essence, vanilla liqueur and Zuma lemon cordial topped with Prosecco. Read our db drinks round-up of Zuma here.

Key British drinks industry members were invited to Number 10 Downing Street yesterday on behalf of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association.

They spoke to the Prime Minister & Secretary of State Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Liz Truss on how important it is for the UK drinks industry to remain in the European Union.

Baron Philippe de Rothschild SA has partnered with wine lover and golf course architect Robert Trent Jones, Jr (centre) to design this year’s Ryder Cup limited edition.

In the picture above, Charissa Thompson, Robert Trent Jones, Jr and Hugues Lechanoine unveil the Mouton Cadet 2016 Ryder Cup Special Cuvée on March 23, 2016 in New York City.

On Monday, Domaine Zind-Humbrecht hosted their portfolio tasting at the recently opened 67 Pall Mall private members club in central London.