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Week in pictures: 31 August to 6 September 2024
This week saw Louis Thomas at the Italian Embassy, and Douglas Blyde with Coravin and Suntory.
ITA
Senior staff writer Louis Thomas visited the Italian Embassy this week, pictured is the Ambassador of Italy to the United Kingdom Inigo Lambertini, opening proceedings at the Italian Embassy in London for the Italian Wine Awards, a partnership between the Italian Trade Agency and Wine52.
Coravin’s Paulée
Sommeliers from Michelin-starred restaurants, representing 33 stars collectively, gathered in the soundproofed private dining room of Sparrow Italia Mayfair for the inaugural Coravin paulée. They began with a challenge to identify which of three sparkling wines had been preserved under Coravin for a month and a half. In Jancis Robinson/Richard Brendon stemware, each sommelier then showcased a personally significant bottle, including the rare Selosse Initial champagne, unpasteurised Jikon Senbon-nishiki sake, a unique Dorona from Venice’s Mazzorbo Island, and an underwater-aged Gewurztraminer from Península de Setúbal. The event concluded with a 2012 Graham’s Port from Quinta dos Malvedos.
Coravin founder Greg Lambrecht shared a personal story of how ‘Coravinning’ bottles aided his recovery of long-term memory after a neck injury, with each bottle evoking memories of the first tasting experience. Sommeliers poured two-thirds of their bottles during the event, with the remainder left for future evaluation.
Suntory’s 2024 Tsukuriwake Series
Blyde experienced Suntory’s 2024 Tsukuriwake Series with House of Suntory’s UK brand ambassador, Raffaele Di Monaco, at the aptly named Malt Lounge & Bar at The Prince Akatoki, a Japanese-owned venue. Crafted by fifth-generation chief blender, Shinji Fukuyo, the Tsukuriwake series showcases “artisanship through a diversity of making” over four distinct expressions.
The Yamazaki Golden Promise, delicate yet enduring, was crafted from a barley popular in 1960s Scotland. The Islay Peat, with its smoky undertones which soon dissipate, evoked a coastal ruggedness. The Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara offers intense notes of burnt wine and temple incense, while the Hakushu 18 Year Old Peated Malt transitions from an initial boozy hit to a silky, blackcurrant-infused finish.
The set will initially be exclusive to The Whisky Exchange (£3,750).
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