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The week in pictures

21 April 2023 By Louis Thomas

This week, Douglas Blyde met Champagne communicator Tyson Stelzer, and Marsala producer Florio unveiled its New Geography Range during a masterclass at 67 Pall Mall.

Champagne communicator, Tyson Stelzer, who was named ‘Most Influential Opinion Maker’ in ‘Who’s Who in Australia’ (Meininger’s), was in London to trail the latest incarnation of his Champagne Guide which, with “thousands of reviews, hundreds of house overviews, scores of articles, best of lists, in-depth market commentary and photography,” builds on six previous physical editions.

Wine List Confidential author Douglas Blyde, who was in attendance, noted: “The London launch occurred over a duet of meals at Portland, laden with 2008 cuvées of Champagnes – plus one ringer. In addition to Krug, Pierre Gimonnet & Fils Millésime de Collection Vieilles Vignes de Chardonnay, Bollinger RD and Rare, Stelzer served, blind, a dulce de leche-scented Arras Blanc de Blancs 2008 from Tasmania, being “a shout out to [the British-born winemaker] Ed Carr.”

A masterclass exploring how the placement of casks in the cellar affects the ageing of Marsala was hosted at 67 Pall Mall by Florio director Roberto Magnisi and Italian wine expert Walter Speller. The class also provided members of the press and trade with the opportunity to taste Florio’s New Geography Range.

London’s Lindley Hall was the site of Real Italian Wine & Food, a trade-only show focused on Italy’s gastronomic and viticultural output, with the produce of some less well-known regions proving to be particular hits, including I Ciacca’s IGT Lazio single varietal Maturano, and Cantine Caccamo’s wines celebrating Calabrese varieties.

On the second leg of their UK and Ireland tour, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia stars Glenn Howerton, Charlie Day and Robert McElhenney dropped by Celtic Whiskey Shop in Dublin to sign some bottles of their Four Walls whiskey.