The week in pictures

(Photo: Wiki)

This week, in Celebrity Drinks Furores, a US appeals court upheld a ruling against Tequila brand KAH that it infringed on the rights of actor Dan Aykroyd’s Crystal Head vodka.

However, the court rejected the producer’s request for further damages, this is the second time the case was brought forward by the Blues Brothers star and his production partner firm, Globefill.

Both spirits come in a skull-shaped bottle – one glass, one ceramic – but in 2017 a judge ruled that Elements Spirits Inc and its founder Kimi Brandi had designed the bottle to confuse consumers into thinking it was made by or affiliated with Crystal Head.

The judge ordered that Elements and its founder, Kim Brandi, pay US$871,536.86 in profits stemming from the infringement. However shortly after the ruling, Globefill launched a second lawsuit claiming that it was owed further damages, this, they decided wasn’t justified.

“The district court properly concluded that Elements’ earnings equaled 8% of gross sales of KAH Tequila (or $871,536.86) based on a 2010 Trademark Assignment and Royalty Agreement (TARA) between Elements and non-party Finos,” it said.

“None of Globefill’s arguments to the contrary is persuasive.

(Photo: Plumpton College)

In the world of wine education, Chris Foss, the founder of Plumpton College’s Wine Division and a key figure in the transformation of the English wine industry, is set to retire from the college after 31 years.

“The work that Chris has led has undoubtedly been one of the drivers behind the success of the English and Welsh wine industry in recent years, with his graduates now employed all over the world,”said Jeremy Kerswell, the college’s principle.

“He leaves an incredible legacy, and a team and resource base we are only keen to invest in further to ensure we stay at the heart of the future of the industry.”

(Photo: Greene King)

Putting us all to shame this week is Ross O’Hara, the world’s youngest Master Brewer who has just been hired to head of Greene King’s brewing operations.

O’Hara qualified as a Master Brewer from the Institute of Brewing and Distilling (IBD) in August last year at the age of 28, making him the youngest person in the world to hold the title.

He joined Greene King as a shift brewer in 2016 with a first class honours degree in brewing from Heriot Watt University. He subsequently became new product development brewer, as well as overseeing the brewery’s apprenticeship scheme while simultaneously studying for the IBD qualification.

What have you done with your life?

(Photo: Publican Awards)

While we’re on the subject of beer and pubs, industry folk from both sectors swarmed on Battersea Evolution on Wednesday night for the 2019 Publican Awards.

This year, the award for ‘Best Pub Brand and Concept’ was awarded to Around the World in 80 Days-themed group Mr Fogg’s, which includes Mr Fogg’s Residence, Mr Fogg’s Tavern, Mr Fogg’s Gin Parlour, Mr Fogg’s House of Botancials, Mr Fogg’s Society of Exploration and the newly opened Mrs Fogg’s in Broadgate Circle.

Comedian Alan Carr was on hand to announce the winner.

Best Premium Food Offer, meanwhile, went to Cirrus Inns, while Darwin & Wallace secured the gong for Best Sustainable Pub Company. Congrats, everyone!

(Photo: Andrew Fosker / PinPep)

In fact, it was rather a big week for black tie dos.

On Thursday, 430 guests attended The Benevolent Ball held at the Natural History Museum, with donors including Jeroboams, Château d’Yquem and Rick Stein raising a staggering £50,000 for the mental health charity.

Notable attendees included The Wine Show‘s Joe Fattorini, who shared his own experiences of how The Benevolent’s mental health Helpline has assisted him, and how he has benefitted from the counselling sessions it funds.

Meanwhile, also in London. Rick, Jack and Charlie stein designed a four course fundraising dinner to showcase the beauty of Câteau d’Yquem wines, raising £10,000 for charity, half of which went to The Benevolent.

The idea of was conceived over lunch at Yquem in Bordeaux, according to Jeroboams’ spokespeople, when Lemoine and the Jeroboams directors had a long discussion as to whether the wines of Sauternes would complement dishes outside the more traditional dessert or cheese course.

Included in the inspired menu were pairings of 2015 Yquem with roast turbot with Dutch sauce and lobster with Indonesian dry spice, matched to the 2013 vintage. Our mouths are watering just looking at those trays.

Speaking of sweet things, Lord Alan Sugar is putting a health-conscious twist on nominative determinism. His investment company, Amsvest, has invested in start-up Buzbee’s Beverages, which produces a range of flavoured tonics sweetened with natural honey.

The range includes a honey-sweetened Indian tonic water, alongside flavour variants including Elderflower, ginger, passionfruit and rhubarb.

(Photo: Taittinger)

Also this week, Champagne house Taittinger was on hand to celebrate the exclusive private views of The George Michael Collection at auction house Christie’s before the legendary recording artist’s private collection was auctioned in London and online.

Over in the Caribbean, 11 bartenders from all around the world were flown out to St Lucia battled it out at St Lucia’s Coconutz Bar in Rodney Bay in rum label Chairman’s Mai Tai Challenge World Final.

Francois Badel of Le Montfort in Rennes, France and Aldrick John Baptiste of The Coco Palm Resort in Rodney Bay Village were crowned the winners after concocting the Freaky Tiki Elixir.

Félix Solís Ramos of Spanish wine giant Félix Solís was all smiles while showing off his wine range to thirsty tasters at The Truman Brewery on Brick Lane in east London.

The lovely Freya Miller and Megan Loverage of Pol Roger Ltd invited db’s editor, Lucy Shaw, to Ladies Day at Cheltenham, which began with a racing brunch at Soho Farmhouse, where we enjoyed a tutored tasting of the Glenfarclas range.

While wild winds blew, we headed straight for the Glenfarclas Bar at Cheltenham, and warmed our cockles with whisky-laced cocktails while watching the races on a big screen.

Being Ladies Day, a number of spectacular hats were on display. We particularly liked the peacock-hued number sported by Racher Trevor-Morgan, milliner to the Queen. Freya’s floppy hat was rather lovely too.

Jockey Keith Donoghue celebrates after he and horse Tiger Roll, last year’s Grand National winner, stormed to victory at the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham this week. 

While the rain continued to fall in London, this didn’t seem to bother Wines of California. Holding their Essential California tasting in trendy Shoreditch, guests were treated to a vast array of wines which all retail for under £50, as well as barbecued meats, spit roast chicken and tribute band the Alter Eagles. They even went so far as to create their own street art (above).

db was exciting to try the new canned wine range from Francis Ford Coppola Winery, featuring Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio all packaged in four-packs, shown off by Julian Seabrook from UK importer Seabrook Wines. Seabrook reckons these tinnies will be a hit in the UK this summer, after their success in the US.