Life should have a little sparkle! We are thrilled to be hosting our first Champagne Masterclass on 22nd May at 1.00pm.

We are delighted to be showcasing Champagne from some of Ireland’s top wine importers, including Findlater and Co, Cassidys, O’Briens, FX Brands, Febvre and The Corkscrew. On the day we will enjoy a sumptuous selection of French cheese provided by Sheridan’s Cheesemongers. A huge thank you goes to these suppliers for providing us with their fantastic wines – trust us, you’re in for a real treat.

And to match the elegance of Champagne, our venue for the afternoon will be one of the loveliest in Dublin, D’Olier Street Restaurant. A relative newcomer to the city, it’s already racked up critical acclaim. This month they won Best Newcomer in Dublin at the Irish Restaurant Awards and were even added to the Michelin Guide.

This month Natalie McLean launched her new book Wine Witch on Fire: Rising from the Ashes of Divorce, Defamation, and Drinking Too Much. McLean is a Canadian wine professional, and the recipient of four James Beard Foundation Journalism Awards.

Monday 16th May saw the Irish hospitality scene come out in force for the Irish Restaurant Awards. Celebrations were in full swing as business across the island scooped up awards. The awards for “Best Wine Experience” went to Green Man Wines in Dublin, Ristorante Rinuccini in Leinster, Wine and Brine in Ulster, Sheridans Wine Bar in Connaught and Union Wine Bar & Kitchen in Munster. Dublin’s Haddinton House was crowned All Ireland Winner for Best Cocktail Experience.

Powerscourt Distillery launched its Single Malt Fercullen Whiskey. The liquid gold is the first single malt whiskey distilled in Wicklow in 100 years. Made from 100% malted barley the nose is bursting with toffee, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and baking spices while on the palate there is salted caramel and tarte tatin. This is a whiskey to be sipped and savoured. Powerscourt regularly run distillery tours where you can get up close and personal to the action and even enjoy a whiskey and food pairing.

Will Lynch from BAR 1661 will be representing Ireland at World Class Bartender of the Year global finals in São Paulo, Brazil later this year. Will’s cocktail creation took centre stage with the judges – a mix of Roe & Co whiskey, almond, rooibos,and coconut tea, topped with orange zest cream and ground chocolate barley. If you haven’t visited BAR 1661 to sample their Belfast Coffee we insist you rectify that immediately.

SevenFiftyDaily are looking for drinks innovators. They want you to nominate trailblazers of the industry to be in with the chance to win the 2023 Drinks Innovator Awards.

Ahead of our Champagne Masterclass on 22nd May, we heard the interesting news that Drappierhas become the first producer to grow all eight authorised grapes; August 2021 saw the addition of Voltis to the legally permitted grapes used in the region.

In London, wine professionals from across the globe gathered for the Women in Wine Expo to network and attend a three day event which included a vineyard tour at Balfour Estate in Kent, a conference featuring guests speakers including our very own Chair Sinéad Smyth and Vice-Chair Sevgi Tüzel-Conghaile, and wine professionals such as Queena Wong (Curious Vines), Ritu Singhal (FINE Wine and Champagne India) and Nicky Grandorge (New Zealand Winegrowers) The event closed with a wine tasting in the Dickens Inn where guests sampled wines from all around the world including Mexico, Sweden, Israel, India, New Zealand and Europe.

Work on PepsiCo’s €127 million investment project in Co.Cork Ireland is nearing completion. The expansion has provided over 700 jobs during its construction and will make way for additional manufacturing capacity and further investment in its R&D campus. 

The Shelbourne Hotel launches its exclusive Moët & Chandon terrace, just in time for summer. In addition to Champagne cocktails they will offer wine flights, where you can enjoy Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial, Rosé Impérial, Grand Vintage 2013 for just €40.

Irish Food Magazine’s latest issue is talking all things sustainability. The publication discusses food packaging, consumers growing demand for sustainable food and drink, as well as looking at the collaborative regenerative agriculture project between Irish Distillers and Heineken.

---

A Wine Idea presents Jazz & Wine, an unforgettable evening of wine tasting and live jazz music at Bewley’s Theatre in the heart of Dublin City on Saturday, 27th of May. Hurry up to get the early bird tickets that are available for the first 15 people to purchase tickets. Tickets available here.

On Saturday, May 20th, the Fumbally Stables will play host to the Polish Wine Pop-Up. From the team who brought you Ireland’s first Polish Wine Fest, guests are invited to sample the finest Polish wines with a 6 glass wine flight.

64 Wine will host a Burgundy Wine Tasting with Conor Richardson on 17th May. Guests will enjoy an apéritif on arrival at 6.30pm, with the tasting kicking off at 7.00pm.

Whiskey Live returns this 19th – 20th May with the two day event promising to showcase the most long-established brands and new comers to the Irish whiskey scene. Throughout the event there will be masterclasses with top distilleries (booking essential).

Blackrock Cellarwill host a tasting featuring Wines from Jura and Savoie on Friday 26th May. Tickets are €55.

On June 10th The Palm Wine Brunch will kick off with its first event with a tasting of London Manya. Ireland’s first black led wine club will welcome winemaker Uche David to the event, where he will share the story of creating the first premium sparkling palm wine.

The annual Taste of Dublin returns this 15th – 18th June with a line-up featuring the best chefs, restaurants and drinks in town. Your taste buds will be tantilised by the many restaurants cooking at the festival with cuisines ranging from Indian and Japanese, to modern Irish and Mexican. Whistles will be aptly whetted by a visit to the Dingle Distillery Gin Bar, Fercullen Irish Whiskey Bar & Masterclass, and Tasting Spain who will be serving up delicious food and wine.

Mitchell & Son will host a Riedel Experience & Masterclass with Maximilian Riedel on 28th June in the Conrad Hotel. In addition to the wine tasting, guests will go home with a tasting set of four Veloce Range Riedel glasses.

The International Drink Expo will run from 10th – 11th October in London. Tickets to the expo are free, allowing attendees to join panel discussions, listen to various keynote speakers and network with industry leaders. The expo will see two innovation awards given to nominees those whose products or services are enabling hospitality professionals to not only attract, but also to serve more customers than ever before. Know someone who fits the bill, or want to nominate yourself? Full details on the IDE website.

On June 13-14th Bar Convent Brooklyn will take place in Industry City Brooklyn. The event will commence with a Block Party at Public Records and finish with a closing party at House of Yes. Over the two days attendees will have the opportunity to join sessions on mixology, e-commerce, discuss trending topics and much more.

An exciting job opportunity coming up as Front of House lead on the Ohana Floors in the new Salesforce Tower. So much scope for creativity and fun with an emphasis on delivering top class hospitality. Service and wine knowledge essential. Reach out to Emma.oconnell@salesforce.com for more information

In Galway, 5 star Glenlo Abbey Hotel and Estate is seeking a Sommelier to join the team.

Galway Hooker is recruiting a Brewery Assistant at their premises in Oranmore, Galway. Although this is an entry level position an understanding of the brewing process is a plus.

In Cork City, L’Atitude 51 Wine Bar is on the hunt for a new member to join their front of house team. Email your CV to info@latitude51.ie or drop in directly to the ba.

Wicklow Wolf are recruiting a full-time brewer. Minimum 1+ years’ experience as a Brewer in a fast-moving production environment is required.

The Drinks Business is hiring a Business Development Executive to work on their Global Wine Masters series of competitions.

In London, The Whisky Exchange is hiring a Spirits Advisor.

Michael’s Mount Merrion in Dublin are recruiting experience floor staff.

Green Man Wines are seeking a new team member to work Thursday – Saturday. Email CVs to info@greenmanwines.ie or drop in to the wine bar.

Rascals Brewing Company seeks a full-time Sales Manager with three years similar experience.