#WeekInPictures: Asia rising, South African stars and Champagne in motion

From the artistry of Dom Pérignon at Tate Modern to rising Asian spirits, here are the highlights from this week in drinks.

Asian Spirits Masters 2025

This year’s Asian Spirits Masters competition showcased the explosive creativity and quality emerging from Asia’s distillers. Korea’s Hwayo 41 took the top title of Asian Spirits Taste Master 2025, impressing judges with its balance of spice, vanilla and velvety texture. The gin category saw Hai Seas Crazy Eights Barrel-Aged Gin named Master, while India’s Paul John whiskies swept the board with two Master medals and three Golds. China’s Hai Seas Distillery was awarded four Golds for its growing whisky line, confirming it as one to watch.

Casillero del Diablo x BAFTA

Casillero del Diablo took the spotlight as the Official Wine Partner of the 2025 BAFTA Television Awards, with its wines served at every ceremony throughout the year. Guests toasted the best in British television at the Casillero bar, celebrating the brand’s longstanding link with storytelling.

Yanghe in London

Yanghe celebrated its growing UK presence with a launch party at The Franklin Hotel, where brand ambassador Daisy Zhang introduced guests to the Dream Blue and Blue Classic ranges. A fashion walk and cocktail showcase hinted at what’s next for the Chinese baijiu giant, which is preparing to release raspberry brandy and whisky in the UK later this year.

ProWine Hong Kong

With spirits tax cuts fuelling trade optimism, ProWine Hong Kong was positioned as a catalyst for industry recovery in Asia. The fair debuted the ProWine x The Drinks Business Asia Green Awards, highlighting sustainability leaders and showcasing major global exhibitors. It also kicked off a new business report in partnership with Geisenheim University, offering fresh insight into future wine and spirits markets.

Drop of Sunshine NYC debut

Drop of Sunshine wine, developed in collaboration with Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine, made its NYC debut with an all-female comedy show at The Stand. The event featured Janeane Garofalo and a strong lineup of comics, showcasing the brand’s celebration of women and storytelling.

Best of South Africa tasting

Vergelegen joined 63 other leading producers at Tim Atkin MW’s ‘Best of South Africa’ showcase at One Great George Street, London. Wines highlighted in Atkin’s report as First Growths, Second Growths and Rising Stars were poured for over 400 members of the trade and press.

Dom Pérignon at Tate Modern

At Tate Modern, Dom Pérignon launched its latest creative chapter, Creation is an Eternal Journey, with an evening of art, poetry and performance. Guests, including Zoë Kravitz, Iggy Pop and Tilda Swinton, explored installations across three movements, followed by a tasting of Dom Pérignon Plénitude 2 2008 and a spoken-word set by Swinton. DJ sets by Anderson. Paak and Jameela Elfaki carried the party late into the night.

Star Hill Farm Whisky

Douglas Blyde was amongst the first in London to taste Star Hill Farm Whisky, poured by Maker’s Mark Managing Director, Rob Samuels. This marks the distillery’s first new mashbill since 1953, and its first wheat whisky, a bold departure which replaces corn with soft red winter wheat in two regenerative mashbills. Bottled at 57.35%, the whisky delivers notes of buttery caramel, golden raisins, gingerbread, chocolate-covered cherries and toasted pecans. Produced entirely on the 1,100-acre Star Hill Farm estate in Loretto, Kentucky, it is also the first to carry the Estate Whiskey certification, highlighting the farm-to-glass ethos behind the release. With this launch, Maker’s Mark also unveiled the Regenerative Alliance, pledging to transition one million acres of farmland globally.

Birthday at Kinsbrook

Finally, db’s Michael Huband celebrated a birthday with a visit to Kinsbrook Vineyard, where he paired local duck and monkfish dishes with estate Chardonnay and a pale, Pinot-led rosé.

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