The week in pictures

Supperclub London pulled out all the stops to celebrate its third birthday, including this curious fire eater.

Among the other acts at Supperclub’s third birthday were burlesque dancers and a tattooed trapeze artist.

At a Christie’s dinner to kick start its two-day auction of fine and rare Cognacs from the cellars of La Tour d’Argent in Paris, guests were lucky enough to be served a glass of 1810 Renault Grande Fine Champagne Réserve Cognac, which was astonishingly alive with notes of orange rind, raisins, figs and toffee.

Playing host at the Christie’s dinner was André Terrail, third generation owner of La Tour d’Argent who told of how his fighter pilot father walled up the cellar of the Paris restaurant during the war to protect its precious wine stocks from German troops.

And if the 1810 Cognac wasn’t enough, db was also treated to a glass of the golden elixir that is Château d’Yquem 2004, which proved unctuous on the palate, with notes of marmalade, apricot, honeysuckle and hazelnut.

db also found time to pop into the newly revamped Lutyens Wine Bar and Bistro on Fleet Street, owned by wine loving restaurateur and retailer Sir Terence Conran. Among the many gems sommelier Romain Audrerie unveiled were an old vine Godello from Rafael Palacios and a dry Riesling from Pegasus Bay in Waipara.

Bruno Eynard, chief winemaker of St Julien third growth Château Lagrange, flew into London especially to host a lunch at L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon in Covent Garden for a lucky group of wine writers. On pour were a number of back vintages of Lagrange, including 2005, 2000, and 1990.

We also got to try the latest vintage (2011) of first wine Château Lagrange and second wine Les Fiefs de Lagrange.

Having already been won over by the creamiest mashed potato in London, chef Robuchon had one final trick up his sleeve in the form of the mini JR burger, featuring a slice of seared foie gras in a brioche bun flecked with sesame seeds.

Carlos Ulibarri hosted a delightful tasting and tapas session at Bodegas Marqués de Riscal on a recent trip to La Rioja.

Wines enjoy time in new casks at Bodegas Marqués de Riscal.

The view from the back of Bodegas Baigorri, overlooking vineyards and the valley in La Rioja. The winemaking facilities sit under the ground seen in this photograph at the remarkable bodega.