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The week in pictures
This week in the world of drinks: a Union Jack flag flies at half mast for the Queen in the Alto Douro, Douglas Blyde joins Cocktails in the City for a day of cocktail judging, and db joins a sommelier’s table dinner at Hakkasan.
Very far from London in the Alto Douro and in the midst of a busy weekend of picking, the Union Jack flies at half mast for HM the Queen at Quinta do Bomfim.
Billed as “London’s leading alfresco cocktail festival”, Cocktails In The City (cocktailsinthecity.com), spearheaded by Andrew Scutts, who is also known for the Boutique Bar Show, saw 20 bars showcase as many brands to the public in cocktail form at Bedford Square alongside a silent disco, ice carving workshop, and bulging wraps by Get The Greek.
A trio of judges comprising mixology consultant, Harp Mann, Ukrainian vodka producer, Dima Deneiga, and Drinks Business’ Douglas Blyde joined to deduce the three most impressive cocktails based on a drink’s presentation, its poise, originality, as well as the style and cordiality of the bartender making it.
In third place was Sergio Leanza’s (Funkidory Bar) “Sedag + Chill” in which Glenmorangie X, a whisky intended for cocktails, met homemade pink grapefruit cordial, verjus and chilli tincture, topped with London Essence soda.
Taking second place was “Penicillin On Wax” by the Bermondsey-based flavour lab, Strongman’s Tipple, here presented by Lukas Etus. It was the smoky, five-year-old Ardbeg Wee Beastie redistilled with fresh ginger, verjus, agave and Sauternes, then aged under wax in a medicine bottle.
And in first place was Michal Marz’s “Plum B”, uniting Johnnie Walker Blue Label with oxidated plum juice and plum cordial, served, note in biodegradable cups as elsewhere, but in the same diamond-shaped Louxor tumbler you might find at Marz’s Baccarat Bar, which is based in Harrods.
Special commendation, meanwhile, went to the “White Noise”, starring Ford’s gin, lemon, honey water, Aqua Bianca and Tempus Fugit Cacao, by Henson’s Bar.
The Disrepute stand, which would have been serving an “Estate Royal” cocktail featuring Moët & Chandon Brut Imperial remained shut out of respect to the Queen’s passing.
Last week, Christopher Delalonde MS hosted a sommelier’s table dinner to celebrate the ever-growing wine list at Hakkasan Mayfair. Delalonde, the Head of Wine for Hakkasan Group, let the bottles do the talking, presenting each one blind alongside Executive Chef Andrew Yeo’s famous Cantonese cooking.
His philosophy – to “taste the wine, not the label” – meant an eclectic selection paired exactingly with each course. Alongside established icons, such as Spätlese from J. J. Prüm and Ridge’s Geyserville, came less predictable choices, including Moric Reserve Blaufränkisch and Terlan’s Nova Domus. The playful, mischievous format kept guests on their toes, but fine wine, exemplary food and Delalonde’s natural generosity were the lasting impressions of the night.
Lamberto Frescobaldi, Marchesi Frescobaldi President, shared the first impressions regarding the current harvest in Tuscany, looking at the first trends in the family estates located through Chianti Classico, Chianti Rufina, Montalcino, Pomino and Maremma. After months of drought and apprehension, thanks the recent summer rains, which restored much-needed vigour to the vine, the 2022 harvest could be one of impressive quality even with a general decrease for the quantity of the crops.
Award-winning cocktail bar Coupette are launching a new Banksy-inspired cocktail menu, Barely Legal. Named for the first exhibition of works from iconic street artist Banksy, each cocktail is inspired by the walls of East London and paired with a unique artwork from one of six local muralists. Created by Coupette’s team of award-winning bartenders and inspiring six unique commissions, the twelve new cocktails explore the creative link between graffiti and the prohibition era, highlighting the relationship between legitimacy and artistic freedom. The collaboration was established to celebrate the work of the team’s favourite local artists, with each drink reflecting a journey through their work and the menu’s design.
And finally, with a dozen judges drawn from a pool of winemakers, sommeliers, merchants, writers and influencers, quite possibly the first tasting of a range of English sparkling saignées was held at Battersea Power Station – with two “ringer” included from Champagne.
Assessing attributes including aroma, structure and persistence to a 20-point scale, in Riedel Veritas Champagne stemware, the results were as follows:
From Oxfordshire, Hundred Hills 2018, 100% Pinot Noir (£180 per three in bond, Atlas Fine Wines): 190
From Champagne, Roederer 2012 Rosé shown in magnum (£188, The Finest Bubble): 178
From North-East Sussex, an aged example from Fox & Fox Mayfield Expression Rosé de Saignée 2014 (£42, Fox & Fox) : 177
From East Sussex, Everflyht Rosé de Saignée 2019, 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Pinot Meunier (£40, Everflyht): 176
Also from East Sussex, Ridgeview Rosé de Noirs 2016 (£60, The Finest Bubble): 173
From Hampshire, Hambledon 1er Cru Rosé based on 2016 – very recently disgorged (not yet released): 169
From Champagne, Geoffroy Rosé de Saignée Brut 1er Cru based on 2016, 100% Pinot Noir (£52, Harvey Nichols): 165.5
And from Kent, Balfour Rosé de Saignée 2018, 45% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Meunier and 5% Pinot Blanc (£40, Balfour): 157.5
Have you been out and about this week? Got somewhere we should visit? Let us know!
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