The week in pictures

Quirky London bar Mr Fogg’s announced this week that it’s recruiting for a dream job for gin lovers that will see them travel the world in search of exotic botanicals, herbs and spices.

That’s an all expenses paid trip, with a friend, which takes you through Mumbai, Hong Kong, Tokyo, San Francisco, New York and Lisbon in 80 days. Sign us up!

Another celeb is moving into the field of English sparkling wine. Alex James, the bassist from Britpop sensation Blur, has conveniently trademarked the name ‘Britpop’ and also plans to produce his own fizz.

From pop music to sporting stars, there seems to be no end of enthusiasm for home-grown sparkling. England international and Harlequins rugby star Chris Robshaw took a trip to Nyetimber this week with his wife Camilla.

With growing interest in the cannabis sector, Constellation Brands upped the stakes this week, investing an extra US$4 billion in Canadian company Canopy Growth. Should the deal achieve regulatory approval, Constellation will acquire 104.5 million shares, priced at C$48.60 (US$37) per share, from Canopy Growth, increasing its stake in the business from 9.9% to 38%. 

German brewer Erdinger is going big for its Oktoberfest at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford this year. Moving to a larger site and adding more dates for 2018, nearly 50,000 people are expected to attend with an estimated 250,000 pints due to be poured. Steins at the ready!

Photos by George Fielding

In other beer news, Danish brewer Carlsberg has built what it believes to be the world’s first waterfall-powered pub in a forest in Cornwall, complete with its own beer pump, offering AirBnB users the chance to book in and stay the night. The ‘Carlsberg Cabin’ can be booked for groups of up to six people.

The pink gin trend is well and truly blossoming with Italian liqueur specialist Luxardo entering the category with its sour cherry gin. To celebrate the launch, Luxardo and Cellar Trends are hosting their 1821 bar until 9 September in London’s Shoreditch with trade masterclasses and bartender pop-ups planned throughout the month-long installation.

Luxardo celebrated the launch at party for the media and trade with Luxardo global brand ambassador Gareth Franklin hosting the event.

As California struggles to contain its wildfires, the 2018 grape harvest begins in Napa Valley, which is being billed as both “picture-perfect” and a “landmark harvest”. Growers in Napa Valley are planning for a long, steady harvest stretching well into October when thicker-skin grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon will be picked.

There was “chaos” at the Macallan distillery this week following the release of its £495 Genesis whisky. Whisky fans started to arrive the night before, but without a proper queuing procedure in place, the local police was forced to close the road in an attempt to restore calm. Many Scotch lovers were left disappointed after being caught on the wrong side of the road blockade.

Actor Ryan Reynolds used his appearance on Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show to promote Aviation Gin, the brand he acquired in February last year. He played a daring drinking game which involved putting a token through a pinball machine to select a mixer, which saw his spirit being mixed with horseradish, bacon and even blood.

Our sister publication, Wine List Confidential, which ranks London restaurants based on the quality of their wine lists, has launched a brand new website.

Look out for restaurant reviews, the top 100 wine lists in London, interviews and the latest on-trade news.

A Scottish care home is bringing in the booze and providing its residents with a local, having turned a summer house in its grounds into a makeshift pub called the Hip Joint.

The value of whisky traded at auction crossed £16 million in the past six months, according to a report by whisky broker and investment analysts Rare Whisky 101 released this week, representing a 46% increase on the previous year.

Image: Kris Humphreys

Tequila brand Patrón headed to the banks of Houghton Lake in Norfolk this week, bringing a bit of Mexico to the Houghton Festival. Partnering with El Pastor, it also served up tacos, guac and salsas, as well as Tequila cocktails, to the hungry masses. 

It has been a busy week for Surrey’s Hogs Back Brewery which received a delegation of Slovenian beer lovers in a vintage camper van-come mobile bar. The brewery has recently secured an export contract with Slovenian retailer Mercator and has plans to move its hop garden to a larger site with the aim of producing around 50% of the hops it requires on site.

Villa Maria is at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this month, offering a range of wines from the Villa Maria Wine Truck at the Assembly Gardens in George Square. Top hats optional.