The week in pictures

Here at the drinks business we’re big fans of winery dogs – all the way from the Waipara Valley in New Zealand, here is Greystone Wines’ chocolate lab having a snooze in the sun.

On Sunday evening, 55 of the best bartenders in the industry arrived in Mexico City to compete for the title of world’s best bartender at the Diageo World Class Finals. Click through to find out how they got on.

After an intense two days of competition, on Tuesday evening (22 August), the final ten were selected. They were: Mate Csatlos from Denmark (Place of work: Kabuku at Umami); Suguru Makinaga from Japan (Place of work: Bar Leigh Islay); Josephine Sondlo from Sweden (Place of work: Penny and Bill); Fatima Del Carmen Leon from Mexico (Place of work: Fifty Mils); Jamie Jones from the UK (Place of work: No Fixed Abode consultancy); Kaitlyn Stewart from Canada (Place of work: Royal Dinette); Andrea Gualdi from Australia (Place of work: Maybe Frank); Kevin Patnode from Turkey (Place of work: Kulhanbeyi); Chris Cardone from the USA (Place of work: I Sodi), and Marcus Philipp from Austria (Place of work: Albertina Passage).

On the evening of Wednesday 23 August, the 10 remaining competitors went head-to-head in a battle of the ‘classics’, a challenge to create the best classic cocktail. The four that made it through were Canada’s Kaitlyn Stewart, Denmark’s Mate Csatlos, Turkey’s Kevin Patnode and Australia’s Andrea Gualdi.

And finally, four became one when Canada’s Kaitlyn Stewart was crowned the ninth winner of the Diageo World Class Bartender of the Year. Speaking after her victory, she said: “I’m so incredibly amazed and shocked to have been named the world’s best bartender. It’s been a gruelling week, taking on the toughest challenges against some of most skilled bartenders I’ve ever met.”

“Participating in the Finals was amazing enough but to finish the week as winner… I’m so delighted! Cocktails are on the up now more than ever and to be at the forefront of that, pushing forward the idea of using better ingredients and better recipes to create even better cocktails is something I’m really passionate about and I’ve loved every moment of this experience”.

Roger Daltrey, founding member and frontman of rock band The Who, launched a limited edition Champagne – Champagne Cuvée Roger Daltrey – in association with Eminent Life. The fizz was launched at The Caesars Palace in Las Vegas and will now be distributed in the USA by Southern Glazers.

A percentage of proceeds from sales of the Champagne will be given to Teen Cancer America, a charity founded by Daltrey and fellow band member Pete Townshend.

We enjoyed this picture posted by Brett Jones on social media this week featuring a sign outside the Bull’s Head pub in Castleton.

Mayfair staple Le Gavroche celebrated its 50th anniversary with a collaboration with Little Bird gin at Maltby Street Market. The special edition gin sold out in under two hours!

Greg Mefford, international director of Luxco the US owner of Rebel Yell bourbon, and John Rempe, master blender, hosted a masterclass with the British Bourbon Society. Members packed into The Vault bar below whisky shop Milroy’s, to taste through the range. They were amongst the first in the UK to enjoy an exclusive sip of Rebel Yell 2017 Edition of 10 year Single Barrel, which is not yet available in UK. They also caught a glimpse of the latest drone images from the construction of the new Rebel Yell distillery, Lux Row, which is set to open in Spring 2018.

Anne Jones, category manager wines, beers and spirits at Waitrose.

Rhône wine brand Les Dauphins showcased its new blanc de blancs sparkling wine at the inaugural Waitrose Summer Festival at Leckford Estate in Hampshire. Also on show were its new formats including 2.25 litre bag-in-box and 18.7cl miniature bottles.