An exclusive tasting of the new Penfold’s collection October 7, 2021 Today Penfold’s launches its new 2021 Collection. I was invited to 67 Pall Mall to taste it with the charismatic Peter Gago, the brand’s Chief Winemaker, via zoom. But before I get to the tasting notes, a spot of history. Penfolds began in 1844 when Dr Christopher and Mary Penfold planted the fledgling vines, which [...]
October in the City: the cultural events not to miss October 7, 2021 How much fun is it being out and about dancing, being immersed in art and going to live music again? On 7 October Unpredictable Thursdays presents experimental music, free improvisation, film, and art sessions, which are well worth checking out. For something more classical, Fidelio Orchestra Cafe has introduced a new series of concerts featuring [...]
Working Lunch: The Game Bird is perfect for a languorous meal October 7, 2021 We sampled the menu of The Game Bird and enjoyed a calming lunch suitable for a long business catchup What is it? It’s a gem of a restaurant hidden within The Stafford Hotel. Reached via a narrow alleyway just off the park, it can be quite easy to miss. The decor is eclectic, with nods [...]
Apple plays it safe with the new 9th generation iPad October 7, 2021 I remember clearly the release of the first iPad back in 2010. Coming just three years after Apple had reinvented the mobile phone, the iPad seemed to create an entirely new product category. While there had been tablets before it, they lacked that sprinkle of Apple magic that drove the iPad into millions of homes, [...]
No Pac-Man in Paris, but does esports really need the Olympics? October 7, 2021 Only four years ago, esports looked destined to be included as exhibition events at the Paris 2024 Olympics, en route to full medal inclusion at Los Angeles 2028. But the pandemic took the momentum out of their advocates’ lobbying and the success of the new sports showcased at Tokyo appears to have put paid to [...]
Queen to launch baton relay for Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games October 7, 2021 The Queen’s Baton Relay for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will be launched by the head of state from Buckingham Palace. From the forecourt of her official London home, the Queen will place her message in the baton before Paralympic gold medallist Kadeena Cox carries the symbol on the first leg of its journey. The [...]
The fairway for women October 6, 2021 The decision to allow women to qualify for the Open Championship has been welcomed by Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam and major winner Jose Maria Olazabal. The Royal & Ancient Golf Club, which governs the game, has changed the entry criteria for the oldest tournament in the world to let leading women qualify on an [...]
Sun, sea and a whole new me: A fitness retreat in St Lucia October 6, 2021 London life is made up of extremes. Pricey gym classes, sobriety attempts and intermittent fasting experiments alternate with booze binges, tasting menus and frenzied socialising in a cycle of two steps forward three steps back. Even my holidays leave me feeling like I need time off to recover. To tone up and tune in without [...]
Scotland may be famous for whisky but its gin is on the rise October 6, 2021 When you think of Scottish spirits, there really isn’t any competition. The ‘water of life’ is an international brand, and even fierce competition from Japan to the East and the US to the West have not shaken Scotland’s place as the one true home of whisky. But there is another spirits industry quietly gaining international [...]
Crystal Palace owner Josh Harris tips Premier League rights to rise in value October 6, 2021 Crystal Palace co-owner Josh Harris has predicted that Premier League media rights will continue to rise in value, defying forecasts that football’s bubble may be about to burst. The league’s domestic broadcast revenues appear to have plateaued for now and the global sports rights market has cooled, in part as a result of the pandemic. [...]