The week in pictures

Regular readers of this round-up may remember that Champagne Bollinger has teamed up with some of the UK’s top chefs on a series of recipes celebrating a single ingredient and designed to pair with its recently released La Grande Année 2008.

This month’s pairing is a lesson in “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”. Chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen at Northcote in Lancashire, chose oscietra caviar to match the fizz.

Goodwin Allen said the pairing was chosen to “heighten the brioche bread notes from the rich, deep, complex palate that is delivered by the Bollinger La Grande Année 2008.

“The addition of the oscietra caviar brings a slightly salty, mineral taste that particularly works with the sophisticated effervescence of the wine, dancing over the palate with a creamy saline hint.”

As the summer holidays roll around Searcy’s St Pancras Champagne Bar has an eye on getting away from it all – but without the hassle of actually leaving London. The bar has teamed up with Veuve Clicquot and Sipsmith Gin to launch its The Art of Travel pop-up.

From the passport-themed menu, various Veuve expressions are on offer, as well as gin cocktails, including the Shade of Yellow, a take on the French 75, featuring Sipsmith Lemon Drizzle Gin and Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label. db enjoyed one (or three) of those at the launch party, expertly served by bartenders including Gugu Thaka (pictured).

db’s editor, Lucy Shaw, was delighted to be able to colour coordinate her outfit with the furniture at the pop-up.

db’s Eleanor Field headed to the Blue Boar Bar in St James for political themed cocktails, canapés and caricatures with cartoonist David Lewis.

Tipples included ‘Boris on the Rocks’ with cachaça, creme de mure, passionfruit and elderflower and the ‘Corbopolitan’ consisting of raspberry, passion fruit, Beefeater gin, Absolut vodka infuse, vanilla syrup, egg white and cranberry with a sprinkle of rose petals.

db’s editor, Lucy Shaw, interviewed legendary Hollywood actor John Malkovich in London this week, in between performances of the David Mamet play Bitter Wheat, that he’s currently starring in at the Garrick Theatre. With the help of French consultant Jean Natoli, Malkovich makes five wines at his estate in Vaucluse in Provence, including a rosé made from Cabernet Sauvignon and a bold blend of Pinot Noir and Cabernet called Les 14 Quelles, under the LQLC brand. The full interview with Malkovich will appear in the September issue of db.

Rhône wine brand Cellier des Dauphins celebrated Bastille Day last Friday at the French Ambassador’s Residence in London where guests of Ambassador Jean-Pierre Jouyet gathered to enjoy fine wines and food from France.
Cellier des Dauphins showcased its new Réserve range which is part of a major re-launch of the brand in 2019, which includes new wines and packaging as well as a new marketing and communications strategy.

That’s not the only place we’ve seen drinks columnist Aidy Smith this week.

L-R: Lindsey Guinn, Aidy Smith, Author of California living and eating, Eleanor Maidment, Colin Hampden-White, Helena Nicklin.

In Californication, Smith, Colin Hampden-White and Helena Nicklin (The Three Drinkers as they’re better known) attended the global launch of California food and wine book: California: Living and Eating, at London’s Carousel Rooms on Thursday night.

The launch was accompanied by a menu inspired by sunny Cali. Hampden-White told us they dined on honey roasted chicken with a peach, beetroot and goats cheese salad, washed down with a mixture of wines from all over California.

The event was followed by an afterparty in Westminster Abbey gardens, with a lot more wines, including MacMurry Pinot Gris, La Crema Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and serves from Ojai.

Alice Lengerau and Joel Davies present their entry to Pierre-Henry Gagey, Président of Maison Louis Jadot.

Meanwhile in France, Maison Louis Jadot unveiled the winner of its student graphic design competition, following a collaborative project with world-class art and design college Central Saint Martins.

The winners, Alice Lengerau and Joel Davies, presented their entry ‘A Tale of Terroir’ to Pierre-Henry Gagey, Président of Maison Louis Jadot, whilst on a prize trip to Beaune, Burgundy.

The winning design comprises three original woodcut prints with patterns that reflect the landscape, the soil and the climate of Louis Jadot’s Burgundian terroir.

Over the month-long project that was set earlier this year, students received guidance from their tutors as well as Louis Jadot representatives, who visited the college for an interim review of the seventeen projects that were presented.

(Photo: StoreKit)

In convenience news, researchers at StoreKit have released a redesigned tube map showing the cheapest pints near London Underground stations.

Apparently the cheapest beer can be found at Wetherspoon’s New Fairlop Oak pub near Fairlop station in north-east London, with a pint of Kozel Czech lager costing £1.89, while the most expensive “cheap” pint is served at the Union Tavern near Westbourne Park with no beer less than the £5.55 charged for a pint of Frontier.

David Cartwright of Seckford Agencies and Chris Stroud of NZ Winegrowers, enjoying The Edge at The Edge premiere.

In happy coincidences, Seckford Agencies, the UK agents for Aussie winemaker Larry McKenna’s Martinborough label The Edge, had a stroke of genius and partnered up with the production team behind the new film, The Edge, all about the psychology of cricket teams and how athletes cope at elite levels – notably the England team between 2009 and 2013.

Cartwright patiently poses for a selfie with Greg James.

The Edge wines were the pour du jour at the world premiere on Wednesday night at Picture House Central on Piccadilly, which also included a Q&A with none other than Radio 1 DJ Greg James, a keen cricket fan.

Edgy.

Rebecca Orr and Éoin Ó Murchú Holyrood Distillery Visitor Centre staff. (Photo: Greg Macvean)

The founders of spirits maker Holyrood Distillery have revealed the launch date for Edinburgh’s first new single malt whisky distillery in almost a century.

Holyrood has started taking bookings for a range of daily guided distillery tours ahead of the still house’s official opening on 30 July.

In more whisky news, db spoke to a musician with a love of Scotch who is heading to the Edinburgh Fringe this year to host the festival’s first show combining a gig with a whisky tasting.

The Rhythm and Booze Project, known for hosting live music and Scotch sampling at Lagavulin and Caol Ila distilleries during the annual Feis Ile, is the brainchild of whisky writer Felipe (vocals and guitar) and Paul Archibald (drums). The pair are bringing their show to the Edinburgh Fringe for the first time after launching their group in September 2018.

Schrieberg is also singing with his blues band throughout the Fringe, and with Rhythm and Booze booked in for 10 consecutive nights, he might have to spit his whiskies for the sake of his vocal chords.

“If I don’t spit it’ll be a small sips worth,” he told db. “At this level I can’t do three drams a night!”

You can find out more about the Rhythm and Booze Project here.

Alejandro Galaz, senior winemaker at Viña Ventisquero, was in London this week to promote the estate’s new range of cool climate wines. Kalled Kalfu, which means ‘blue’ in Mapuche, the three tier range is formed of the entry-level Molu brand from Casablanca, the mid-tier Kuda brand from Leyda, and the premium Sumpai label from the Atacama Desert.

The Molu and Kuda ranges both include a Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, while the Sumpai brand features a cool climate Syrah from Leyda, a Pinot from Leyda and a Sauvignon Blanc from the Huasco Valley.

Pol Roger Portfolio celebrated the American wines within its stable at a special 4th July tasting held at meat Mecca, Smokestak in Shoreditch.

Among the US wineries pouring their wines at the tasting were Dalla Valle, Abreu, Robert Sinskey Vineyards, Gallica and Staglin Family Vineyards.