The week in pictures

As Sainsbury’s released a report on rosé highlighting the ‘celeb’ effect on driving sales, Hollywood actress, director, producer and author Drew Barrymore shows her devotion to the cause, posting a pic on her Instagram account complete with a glass of her own wine brand, Barrymore by Carmel Road.

Db were also out and about attending the Rooftop Spring Fling at Rumpus Room, which took place at Mondrian London. One of our team swears it was
one of the best parties she’s have ever been to, in part due to the live band singing cool tunes and daft punk. On arrival, we were served a Champagne cocktail called Kiki Royal – Champagne Perrier-Jouet with crème de framboise – along with lobster rolls, drool-worthy hot dogs with truffle, and some incredible bourbon-glazed pork belly. If only we could replicate that on a bbq…

We also went to the launch of the vodka brand Sauvelle’s limited edition ‘La Nuit’ last – an epic night by all accounts. The event took place at UNIT Gallery in Soho, followed by an after-party at The Cuckoo Club.

(and can’t resist it, we LOVE those golden pineapples!)

Texting Malibu-style. This week saw the release of a new global TV campaign for the tropical drink, pointing out that it is summer somewhere in the world – even if that didn’t appear to the UK this week!  According to the company, Malibu sales are at an all-time high.

And despite the chill in the weather, there was no mistaking the enthusiasm that greeted the biggest event this week – English Wine Week. Hundreds of retailers, vineyards, bars, restaurants and venues across the country took up the baton to celebrate our home-grown grape production.  At Chris Piper Wines in Ottery St Mary the theme was deeply patriotic…

while A’Becketts Vineyard hosted a drop-in tasting at White hall Garden Centre

while Hood Restaurant in Streatham went for a tower of English wines.   

And at independent wine shop Le Vignoble in Exeter, a series of guest speakers were on hand at a special tasting, to talk about their wines. Speakers included Duncan Schwab from Sharpham Vineyards, Adrian Derx from Knighton Winery,  Sam Lindo from Camel Valley Vineyards, Kim Coulson from Polgoon Vineyard and Orchard, and Rebecca Hansford from Furleigh Estate.

Move over Paris, this week also saw the Judgement of Hampshire, in which a team of judges pitted four Grand Marque Champagnes against four Hampshire sparkling wines. The tasters who assembled for the wine-off at Hambledon Vineyards included local restaurateurs Lawrence Murphy of Fat Olives Restaurant, Emsworth and Francesco Gabriele, Head Sommelier at the Chewton Glen Hotel, and Giles Babb, along with two members of the public who had won a local competition.

Picture: Ian Hargreaves
Picture: Ian Hargreaves

After much deliberation over the blind tasting, Hattingley Classic Cuvee was revealed as the winner, followed by Cottonworth Classic Cuvee, beating Veuve Cliquot Yellow Label, Moet et Chandon Brut Imperial, Canard-Duchene Brut and Laurent-Perrier Brut.

Picture: Ian Hargreaves

Finally, Vineyards of Hampshire laid on a tour vineyards across Hampshire, taking in Jenkyn Place, Hambledon Vineyards and Exton Park Vineyards  (although alas, they couldn’t persuade King Alfred to come  off his plinth in Winchester to join them)

Floral hats designed by Jessica Rae (right) for BLOOM Gin, the official Gin of Ladies Day at the Derby

But it wasn’t only wine getting a look in. On Friday the runners and riders were at the Investec Epsom Derby Ladies Day, which saw    BLOOM Gin take its place as the official gin sponsor. Epsom milliner Jessica Rae designed two hats to celebrate the day, which incorporated martini glass and miniature bottles of BLOOM Gin, which is distilled by Master Distiller Joanne Moore using floral botanicals.