The week in pictures

Bold claim of the week goes to Strasbourg-based brewer Kronenbourg.

Eric Cantona has announced he is going to space to prove that Kronenbourg is “le taste supreme” in the words of Kronenbourg’s marketing team. (Photo: Kronenbourg)

The beer label has convinced footballer-turned-actor Eric “Ooh Ahh” Cantona to go into space* and prove that it is “Le Taste Suprême” in the entire universe, in the words of the Kronenbourg marketing department.

In a mock press conference, Cantona announces his intention to travel into space, in front of a sign that, instead of “NASA”, read: “ALSASA”. We see what you did there.

Cantona and Kronenbourg announced the news by unveiling a life-sized levitating statue of the former at London Victoria train station.

Worryingly, a statement from the beer brand said this is “the first levitating statue of Eric Cantona”, which implies there’s more in the works.

*Unlikely, but not impossible…

(L-R) Stuart Wraith, John Robinson, Lisa Trotter, Helen Preece, Allen Bellamy and Dean Etchells will cycle over 350 miles as part of Help for Heroes’ annual Big Battlefield Bike Ride

In more likely beer news, a group of six employees from UK brewer Robinsons are planning to cycle over 350 miles as part of Help for Heroes’ annual, epic Big Battlefield Bike Ride, which this year goes from Sainte-Mère-Église to Paris in memory of the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

The team have already raised over £17,500 ahead of the event, which will kick off on 10 June.

Over the weekend, Rosé wine label Ultimate Provence opened the doors to its new 70-hectare wine estate and hotel, hoping to draw wealthy millennials in with live DJs, tastings and electro brunches.

As well as 46 hectares of vineyards, the estate features a 36-room hotel, and a 45-seat restaurant, “Atmos”, which serves a fusion of French fine dining with international influences – and also boasts an outdoor wine terrace and cocktail lounge.

The estate recruited Monaco-based interior design team Humbert & Poyet to bring the winery, restaurant and hotel to life and create a “refined urban atmosphere” within an hour’s drive from St Tropez, according to a spokesperson for Ultimate Provence.

Also in oenotourism, news Maison Champy, the oldest winery in Burgundy, has invested in an ambitious tourism project at the heart of Beaune’s medieval centre.

The owners have renovated part of Champy’s historic cellars to incorporate a wine museum and new tasting room and seminar venue.

(Photo: Diageo/MTV)

Ultimate Provence was not the only drinks firm getting down with the kids this week, Diageo announced it has started a partnership with MTV International on a Youtube campaign designed to encourage “sensible” drinking.

They were produced in collaboration with creative team Just So, hiring presenters Becca Dudley, Harriet Rose and Samuel Eni to discuss hangover-induced anxiety and promote the benefits of moderate drinking, emphasising opportunities to “seize the day” when you’re not incapacitated by hangxiety.

Meanwhile in California, the annual Auction Napa Valley has raised US$12 million for charitable causes in the local community.

The evening featured a live set by Katy Perry as well as the chance for bidders to get their hands on exclusive lots of wines and luxury dinners, excursions and wine-themed holidays all over the world.

On Monday, Joe Fattorini hosted the The Best UK Sommelier Villa Sandi Award ceremony at Le Meridién in London. Congratulations to Matteo Furlan of The Ritz, who won this year’s prize.

In ESW, British Airways is partnering with Hampshire-based winery Hattingley Valley to serve a fizz designed to be consumed at high altitudes.

The sparkler will be available exclusively in British Airways’ first class cabin as well as the airline’s flagship lounge, The Concorde Room in Heathrow Terminal 5, from 1 July.

Earlier this week, Sweet Amber Distilling Co, which produces Metallica’s own “sound enhanced” whiskey label, named Rob Dietrich as the brand’s new master distiller, following in the footsteps of the late distilling legend, Dave Pickerell.

The 4th annual New Wave Champagne tasting took place in the hallowed halls of 67 Pall Mall on Tuesday, showcasing elite producers, top houses and leading grower domaines that are pushing to make better wine in Champagne by reforming their viticulture exclusively to trade insiders.

Some 27 producers, including the likes of Krug, Billecart-Salmon, Pol Roger, Loyuis Roederer, Charles Heidsieck, AR Lenoble, Bruno Paillard, and Jacquesson stood alongside growers including Benoit Lahaye, Selosse, Eric Rodez, Nicolas Mailart and to share 102 wines with just over 100 trade folk at an extremely exclusive show.

Earlier that morning, Jean Baptiste Lécaillon, cellar master at Louis Roederer, delivered a seminar on the affects of climate change in Champagne, and how the region hopes to strive in the coming years.

The inimitable Christian Holthausen of Champagne AR Lenoble was papped rubbing shoulders Marie Doyard of Champagne André Jacquard (left) and Kim Suddens of Flint Wines in the main hall.

In other Champagne news, Pol Roger marketing director Paul Graham was on hand to give away magnums of Brut Reserve to the Barbarian’s male and female players following a match against England Rugby.

Though the Baa-Baas were defeated this time, they were still rewarded for their efforts with lashings of Champagne, which, if we’re honest, is all that matters.

On the women’s team, Emily Wood was awarded Moment of the Match for her try against England.

And when it came to the blokes, Rhodri Williams was awarded Moment of the Match for his breakaway try finishing off an 80m sweeping handling move, to score with his first touch of the ball.

Artist David Eley poses proudly beside The New Illustrated Champagne Map, mapping the terroirs of the revered region. A longtime resident of Champagne, it took Eley several years to perfect the map, a few of copies of which went on sale this week at Christie’s auction house in London.

Continuing on the theme of Champagne, db’s editor, Lucy Shaw, was lucky enough to be invited to a decadent dinner hosted by Noah May (left) wine director of Christie’s, to celebrate its Champagne auction, which took place this week. Joining Noah was the ever ebullient Charles Philpponnat, who treated us to magnums of his single vineyard Clos des Goisses from the 1996, 1993 and 1991 vintages, all of which were bright and alive with hedonistic aromas of hazelnuts, forest floor, wild mushrooms, sea air and honeycomb.

Also co-hosting the Chrsitie’s dinner was Bruno Paillard, who excitedly revealed that the auction the next day would be the first time his Champagnes had ever gone under the hammer.

During the dinner, which included courses of diver scallops with hazelnuts; and roasted turbot with sea beets and a caviar velouté, Paillard presented a selection of his sparklers in magnum, including NPU 2002, the 1999 vintage, Blanc de Blancs 1996 and the 1989 vintage. Many in the room declared the Blanc de Blancs 1996 that standout Champagne from Paillard.