The week in pictures

Following four tough regional heats, six leading bartenders from across the country have been announced as the UK finalists of Bacardi Legacy Cocktail Competition.

Will Meredith from Dandelyan in London also made it through to the final and will travel to the northern European finals Amsterdam in November.

Robb Collins from London Cocktail Club was selected as a wildcard after impressing the judges with his entertaining presentation, and unique and innovative cocktail.

Mark Walford (owner of Le Soula) and Catherine Corbeau-Mellot (owner of Joseph Mellot)

Le Soula wines from Roussillon and Joseph Mellot from the Loire joined forces to host a tasting this week. Among the wines on pour was Le Soula’s orange wine and wines from each of central Loire’s sub-regions.

Catherine Corbeau-Mellot (owner of Joseph Mellot) and Olivier Rivain (sales director at Joseph Mellot)

Ahead of its launch tomorrow, The Alchemist bar and restaurant ‘disturbed’ the city of Oxford this week with a troop of 14 steampunk inspired characters patrolling the streets. The Alchemist will be based in the new Westgate shopping centre, creating 75 full- and part-time jobs for the area.

The Rathfinny wine estate, based in Alfriston in Sussex, finished its harvest this week. Winery dog Buster wondered where all the grapes had gone.

Campari has announced that Avatar and Guardians of the Galaxy actress Zoe Saldana is to star in a short film entitled Legend of Red Hand as part of its 2018 Campari Red Diaries campaign.

Photo: www.lukedyson.photography

Maker’s Mark recently launched ‘The Makers’, a bartender engagement programme which aims to celebrate bartenders as the true craftspeople they are. Hosted by Maker’s Mark diplomat Amanda Humphrey, The Makers consists of four workshops which are based on the four key elements of Maker’s Mark: wood, wax, wheat and paper.

This workshop was hosted at Cactus Kitchens in London with some of London’s best bartenders and mixologists who spent the afternoon learning about the importance of wheat to the brand.

Photo: www.lukedyson.photography

the drinks business is hosting the Rioja Masters today at at Ametsa, the Michelin starred restaurant of The Halkin in Belgravia. db‘s Patrick Schmitt MW and Lucy Shaw are among the judges.

The team from Ireland’s Tindal Wines have just returned from a trip to Burgundy, Chablis and Champagne to visit some of their suppliers including Champagne Henriot, Domaine William Fèvre and Bouchard Père et Fils.

db‘s Phoebe French attended a cooking masterclass at the Underground Cookery School with chef Tom Brown, hosted by Great British Chefs in partnership with Vouvray Wines. Brown explained about the importance of sourcing hand-dived scallops, as dredging damages the seabed.

Loire winemaker Tania Careme and Loire wine tour host Myriam Fouasse-Robert chatted about Vouvray wines and the versatility of Chenin Blanc. 

The wines on pour at the event included three sparkling examples and a sweet moelleux expression, paired with a lime-flecked pear tarte tatin.

db‘s Núria Puertos Ahuir and David Hennelly went to the relaunch of the Beer Academy under the new name of the Beer and Cider Academy at London’s Hawkes cidery and taproom. Gabe Cook, pictured, held a cider and food matching session.