The week in pictures

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In “the new normal”, the landlord of the Star Inn in St Just, Cornwall, has installed an electric fence at the bar to help people adhere to social distancing.

Landlord Johnny McFadden told Cornwall Live that the fence had been very effective.

“Before the fence, people were not following social distancing and were doing as they pleased, but now people take heed to the guidance around social distancing,” he told the publication, adding: “It’s for everybody’s benefit.”

In new openings, London’s historic department store, Harrods, will throw open the doors to its first dedicated cocktail bar today (17 July).

Harrods Baccarat bar will feature a menu created by Cameron Attfield, formerly bar manager at Disrepute.

The menu will consist of 16 signature drinks featuring ingredients and liquids, based around the concept of ‘Refraction and Clarity’, paying homage to glassware maker Baccarat which is supplying the new site’s liquid storage solutions.

On Wednesday (15 July), we found out the winners of the World’s Best Vineyards awards.

For the second year in a row, Argentina’s Zuccardi in the Uco Valley has been awarded the top spot. Located at 1,100m above sea level in the sub-region of Paraje Altamira, the estate is overseen by third generation winemaker Sebastián Zuccardi.

In more wine tourism, Sherry maker González Byass has opened Hotel Bodega Tío Pepe, a 27-room boutique hotel at its 19th century winery in the heart of Jerez.

Billed as the first Sherry hotel in the world, Hotel Bodega Tío Pepe occupies renovated buildings that were once winery workers’ cottages.

During their stay, guests can go on winery tours, take part in tastings, walk through the vineyards and explore the estate’s extensive archives.

In “we definitely do not condone this behaviour”, teenagers in the US are dressing up as elderly ladies in order to buy alcohol without ID.

Under age drinkers have been posting videos of their incredibly committed disguises on social media platform TikTok.

the videos, which show teens slapping on the prosthetics and greying their hair before successfully picking up some beers from the local shop, have racked up millions of views.

Let’s face it, you’ve gotten through a few hundred dozen bottles of fine Bordeaux from the cellar during lockdown, and some of it may have ended up on the floor. You don’t want to clean it off completely, because that’s a waste of good wine. What now?

Manchester-based artist Fanny Gogh (geddit?) created a detailed portrait of Queen Elizabeth II from a red wine stain on her carpet.

Gogh, whose real name is Sian Absalom, painted the two-metre-square work as a tribute to the Queen’s “dependable” presence during lockdown. The work was commissioned by carpet stain remover company Dr Beckman.

She created the work by spilling red wine onto her carpet then tracing the outline of the crowned Queen in profile with a stain remover brush head. A fine paintbrush dipped in stain remover was used to create the finer details of the Queen’s face.

In completely different royal news,  Buckingham Palace has launched a gin made with botanicals found in the palace grounds, including hawthorn berries and mulberry leaves.

Buckingham Palace Gin is made with 12 botanicals, several of which are found growing in Buckingham Palace’s gardens, including lemon verbena, hawthorn berries, bay leaves and mulberry leaves.

In seasonal marketing news, Taylor’s Port is announcing a new digital campaign for its white Port label, Taylor’s Chip Dry.

The advert will be streamed across Instagram and Facebook during July and August, bringing to life the “White Port and Tonic” serve with Taylor’s expression front and centre.

The video walks consumers through serving up a white Port mixer the right way, over ice with a twist of lemon and a sprig of mint.

In virtual cocktails, a handful of industry insiders are partnering with rum brand Banks and getting together on Instagram this weekend to honour the people who have inspired and supported them throughout their careers.

Sam Baxendale from KIN, A-K Hada of Existing Conditions, Pietro Collina from The NoMad, Emily Chipperfield at London’s Callooh Callay and Patrick Alvarez of Kumiko + Kikko will be showcasing cocktails they have created that pay homage to the industry figures that have supported, inspired and had an impact on their working lives in the on-trade.

During lockdown, Banks Rums is working with 22 bartenders from around the world through Blend With Character – a paid-for social media campaign.