Week in pictures: 20 – 26 June
From wine tastings and Champagne launches to charity celebrations, Provence rosé, Peruvian flavours and football watch parties, this week’s pictures capture how the drinks sector has been soaking up the sunshine.
The Return of Wino returns to Quo Vadis
‘The Return of Wino’ brought PIWOSA to Quo Vadis, where Karl Marx began Das Kapital. Highlights included Gary and Kathy Jordan’s debut Tidebrook Staddle Stone Chardonnay ’23, raised in barrels formerly used for their Nine Yards Chardonnay – an apt bridge between Stellenbosch and Sussex during English Wine Week – alongside Jordan Assyrtiko from South Africa’s first Assyrtiko mother block.
Describing the tasting, Douglas Blyde writes: “Springfield Estate’s Méthode Ancienne Chardonnay 2012 remained abrim with vim; Avondale Qvevri GSM 2024 came from South Africa’s pioneering buried Georgian vessels; while Bruwer Vintners Liberté 2023 recast Pinotage as fragrant, fresh and almost glou-glou. A splendid return.”
Señor Ceviche marks National Ceviche Day
London’s Señor Ceviche celebrated National Ceviche Day with a limited-edition menu of Peruvian ceviches and pisco cocktails, showcasing sustainable seafood and Nikkei-inspired flavours at its Soho restaurant.
Krug unveils its 2026 releases with Julie Cavil
Krug cellar master Julie Cavil hosted an intimate tasting of the Champagne house’s 2026 new releases at The Aubrey, within London’s Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park. Guests were guided through the latest expressions, with Cavil sharing insights into Krug’s blending philosophy and the craftsmanship behind each cuvée.
Exploring the future of Provence rosé
This week, the drinks business’ senior writer Amelie Maurice-Jones travelled to Provence to visit three of the region’s most influential maisons, Château d’Esclans, Minuty and Château Galoupet, to examine how they are shaping the next chapter of Provence rosé and redefining perceptions of the category worldwide.
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Château Galoupet’s focus is on biodiversity, regenerative viticulture and long-term land stewardship, while Minuty is marking its 90-year connection with St Tropez and its enduring influence on the visual language of rosé. The visit also marked 20 years since Château d’Esclans’ Whispering Angel helped spark the global Rosé Renaissance.
Gérard Basset Foundation celebrates its scholars
The Gérard Basset Foundation welcomed trustees, scholars and grantees to celebrate its ongoing mission of widening access to careers in wine, spirits and hospitality. The gathering recognised recipients of the Foundation’s scholarships and mentorship programmes, which support aspiring professionals from diverse backgrounds through education, industry placements and career development opportunities.
Pictured are co-founding trustees Nina Basset and Romané Basset alongside trustee Jancis Robinson, scholars Anjali Douglas, Luma Monteiro, Leila Kiloran, Sera Crow and Rosie Watts, and grantees Lily Kittisrikangwan, Folakemi Alli-Balogun and Vicky Ilankovan, recognising the Foundation’s commitment to widening access to education across the drinks industry.
Elton John and David Furnish toast Elton Zero launch
On Wednesday evening, Elton John and David Furnish celebrated the successful launch of Elton Zero with the distributor Paul Schaafsma of Benchmark Drinks. The event was held at west London’s River Cafe – the first place to stock the 0% sparkling wine.
Find out more about Elton Zero in the drinks business’ exclusive interview with David Furnish here.
Taittinger hosts FIFA World Cup watch party at BAFTA
On Wednesday 17 June, Champagne Taittinger and Hatch Mansfield hosted friends and customers for a watch party to celebrate England’s first World Cup match against Croatia. Hosted at BAFTA’s iconic home on Piccadilly, guests enjoyed the dramatic match on the big screen while drinking Taittinger Brut Réserve, served from the limited-edition World Cup bottle, created to mark Taittinger’s role as Official Champagne of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
