The week in pictures

Harvey’s of Edinburgh director, John Harvey McDonough, (right) bought the Speyside Distillery in 2012.

Team db and sb made it down to the launch of Spey Royal Choice whisky at the Tower of London this week, where we were lucky enough not only to take a peek at the Crown Jewels, but enjoy a wee dram of its newly released hand-crafted single malt. Spey whisky has a royal link that dates back almost 200 years when Lord Byron gifted King George III with a barrel of Spey whisky to celebrate his marriage to Annabella Milibanke 1815.

Distilled in Aviemore at the Speyside Distillery by Harvey’s of Edinburgh. Spey Royal Choice single malt whisky has been launched in partnership with the Historic Royal Palaces – the independent charity that looks after the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, Kensington Palace and Kew Palace. The no-age statement whisky, crafted by distiller Sandy Hyslop, will be available exclusively at its venues and online at its website.

The drinks business held its annual Green Awards ceremony at The Club at The Ivy on Monday, celebrating the industry’s most environmentally friendly initiatives.

Guests to the awards were served environmentally-friendly wines including Yealands Estate Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc, Miguel Torres’ Habitat Garnacha Syrah and Asolo Prosecco, while water was provided by Ty Nant.

For a full list of award winners click here.

Jamie Oliver showed off his bar-tendering skills at the official launch of his new YouTube channel, Drinks Tube, in partnership with Bermuda-based Bacardi. Bacardi and Oliver have enlisted the help of The Artesian’s Simone Caporale to host a series of “how-to” cocktail videos, craft beer and food and drink pairing videos using Bacardi’s portfolio of drinks. The celebrity chef said he did “not claiming to be a drinks expert”, but wanted to “democratise” cocktail-making through the online channel, speaking the spirits business recently.

Champagne Thiénot was announced as the exclusive Champagne partner of the St Mawes Classic Car festival – a four-day road trip in which classic motors and their drivers travel around Cornwall’s coastline taking in pit stops to enjoy a selection of luxury evening entertainment.

Dozens of drinks industry members took part in the Wine Trade Sports Club’s Charles Ridler Walk this week in support of its charitable Foundation and The Alzheimer’s Society. 70 participants, aged from two to 80, set off on the 12-mile hike around London raising, so far, more than £16,000. For more information and to make a donation visit virginmoneygiving.com/charlesridlerwalk

The Incredible Hulk and a 118 man make their way through the streets of London….

Mark Leveson-Gower (St Aubyn Leschallas Wines), Andy Henderson and Sandy Liesk (Hallgarten Druitt) near the finishing line where Champagne, provided by Laurent-Perrier, was awaiting.

(L-R) Rob Rainey of Quantock Brewery and Richard Wheeler, chairman of Tuckers Maltings, sponsors of the Overall Champion award

Somerset-based Quantock Brewery was crowned Overall Championat the Society of Independent Brewers’ (SIBA) south west regional beer competition last week. The accolade, for its Wills Neck 4.2% abv golden ale, follows victories for the beer at SIBA’s national beer competition earlier this year and in 2013. A total of 270 draught beers and 150 bottled brews entered the competition which was judged at Tuckers Maltings in Newton Abbot, Devon.

A new Champagne reception is set to be built at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall following the announcement of a three-year sponsorship deal with Champagne Laurent-Perrier. The Laurent-Perrier Gallery will be available to corporate and private guests of the venue who will be able to sip a glass of Laurent-Perrier Brut before performances and during intervals.

Paul Davey (centre), RCH Brewery and chair of the SIBA south west maltings committee and Richard Wheeler (far right), Tuckers Maltings chairman, with representatives from Guide Dogs for the Blind (l-r) Roy Scott, Matty Prow, June Scott, Val and Rick Lurcock

The Society of Independent Brewers’ south west region presented the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association a cheque for £10,000 at its south-west beer competition in Devon to fund the training of a guide dog. The SIBA-funded puppy is due to be born within the next few months when its training will start almost immediately.

TV presenter Kate Humble is set to front the annual Barefoot Wine Beach Rescue Project to keep Britain’s beaches ‘barefoot friendly’ throughout 2014. The national campaign, which launches today, has helped to clear more than 12 tonnes of litter from more than 50 of the UK’s most popular beaches since 2008. This year’s project will run from May to September in partnership with environmental charity, Surfers Against Sewage.

Rosie Davenport of Off Licence News made the most of the Spanish sunshine during a press trip to Penedès this week, adding a little va va vroom to proceedings.

During a tour of Cava producer Codorniu, Spain’s oldest family-owned company, db was looked after by marketing manager Victor Sanchez, who made sure our flute was kept topped up at all times.

We couldn’t help snapping this rather out there Cava label at family-owned estate Torello, which, according to the producer, has been well received.

During our tour of Cava country, we were lucky enough to spend the night in Sitges, a small seaside town 35km southwest of Barcelona known as “Ibiza in miniature” renowned for its film festival and carnival.

Our vintage ride at Freixenet

Joining db’s Lucy Shaw (centre) on the Cava trip, were Julie Shepperd of Square Meal and Imbibe (left) and Rosie Davenport of Off Licence News.

db was lucky enough to be one of the first people to taste the new vintage of Penfolds Grange – 2009 – at an event at Sloane Square furniture maker Linley to celebrate both the estate’s 170th birthday and a collaboration between the winery and David Linley.

At the event, a bespoke case designed by Linley to house Penfolds Bin 170 Kalimna Shiraz 2010 was unveiled. The £33,000 case, available to buy from Berry Bros & Rudd, features a compass with a jade dial set to the longitude and latitude coordinates of the Magill Estate, Penfolds’ spiritual home.