News

Week in pictures: 6 -12 July 2024

12 July 2024 By James Evison

This week in pictures has seen Louis Thomas in Chile, Eloise Feilden with DO Toro, and Douglas Blyde with X Muse and in a pink hard hat.

Chile

Senior staff writer Louis Thomas is in Chile this week as part of a tour of producers with Wines of Chile.

He has visited a large number of vineyards and wineries, including Viña VIK and, pictured, executive director and winemaker Ricardo Rivadeneira Hurtado from Viña Maquis.

DO Toro

DO Toro: being lesser-known can make export easier

Eloise Feilden attended a masterclass by Felipe Nalda Álvarez, the president of DO Toro, showcasing wines from the region at a tasting in London on Tuesday. Pictured above is Mario Muñoz Blanco from Rueda (left), Navarra’s David Palacios (middle) and DO Toro president Felipe Nalda Álvarez (right)

You can read Eloise’s report on the masterclass and event here.

Amélie

Pretty in a pink hard hat, Douglas Blyde joined critic, Richard Vines on a site visit of Sunset Hospitality Group’s forthcoming Amélie at 19 Motcomb Street, London. The Provençal eatery, which promises to offer the best value caviar in the capital, is one of a quartet of outlets within the pillared frontage of the former Victorian warehouse, which also includes a high-end omakase experience, cigar terrace, and a late-night lounge with a swanky dress code. Amidst the milieu of scaffolding, circular saws, and creeper-like wires, the venue’s head of wine and beverage, and cigar expert, Erik Simonics, formerly of Annabel’s Club, poured Charles Heidsieck’s vivid Blanc des Millenaires Blanc de Blancs 2007 in Riedel stems alongside samples of dishes including a lobster and Oscietra caviar “sando”. Served by a cellar of circa 1,200 bins, 19 Motcomb Street is anticipated to open in mid-September.

X Muse

Scottish barley vodka, X Muse supported the world’s biggest prize for Museums: Art Fund Museum of the Year on Wednesday, held at the National Gallery, an institution celebrating its bicentenary. Guests ranged from artist, Anthony Gormley, whose work is “an attempt to materialise the place at the other side of appearance where we all live”, to property developer turned politico, Michael Heseltine. A toast featuring the X MUSE Rokeby Martini, created in honour of Art Fund and inspired by the Rokeby Venus, was raised to the winning museum: Young V&A.

ITA

The Italian Trade Agency attended Imbibe 2024 this month. Visitors had a chance to sample and savour a wide range of state-of-the-art Italian drinks, taking them on a journey through the distilleries and traditions that make Italian drink truly extraordinary.

It was an opportunity for vistors to discover the latest trends, experience the finest Italian drinks, and witness the cutting-edge innovations that are shaping the future of the industry.

Hennessy staff on strike over China bottling plans

Should Japanese whisky distilleries be tapping into tourism?