The week in pictures

The finalists of the Bombay Sapphire World’s Most Imaginative Bartender competition at Il Salviatino, a 15th century villa high in the hills over Florence. Matteo Vanzi of Italy was crowned the winner for his new cocktail named The Pastorini, (Perfect Lady) – a twist on the classic white lady, using a recipe of Bombay Sapphire gin, a homemade shrub of a light jasmine green tea and pink grapefruit peel infusion and a juniper berry meringue.

Eric Forget of Hine Cognac and George Grant of Glenfarclas whisky unveiled their joint 1953 vintage release in the stunning setting of Westminster Abbey. Just 125 pairs have been created, priced at £14,000 (Image © Sir Colin Hampden White).

Even against the historic backdrop of the Glenfarclas and Hine launch event, this door was making a particularly impressive claim.

This Adelaide Hills Chardonnay on show at a tasting of Matthew Jukes‘ 100 Best Australian Wines offered a compelling example of why the UK should be taking today’s Aussie Chardonnay seriously.

Dean Hewitson of Barossa Valley vineyard Hewitson Wines before conducting a vertical tasting of 15 vintages at the Café Gray Bar at the Upper House in Hong Kong.

Before the final match of the Gaucho International Polo tournament at the O2 Arena: Argentina vs England, the players made a suitably spectacular entrance, driving onto the pitch in Mazeratis. Argentina went on to beat England in what turned out to be a very close match, by 11 goals to 10, with England missing a penalty in the final second – typical!

Before England took on the might of Argentina, we were treated to a Scotland vs Mexico showdown. With neither nations known for their polo prowess, Mexico emerged victorious on the night after six exhilarating chukkas.

Marinel FitzSimons of our sister title, The Spirits Business, strikes a pose with Nicolas Audebert (left), chief winemaker at Cheval des Andes in Argentina, and Argentinian polo player Adolfo Casabal at the Gaucho Polo after party.

Duncan Sambrook, founder of Sambrook’s Brewery, behind the bar and serving drinks after a tour of his brewery in Battersea and before an evening of matching food to his beer at The Cadogan Arms in Chelsea.

The winning author, Gerbrand Bakker, and translator, David Colmer, celebrate their triumph at the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize with a magnum of Taittinger each. The prize is managed by Arts Council England and Booktrust and sponsored by Taittinger.

Nyetimber’s head of sales, Julian Kirk, with Tracey Emin at the launch of her new book, My Photo Album. The English sparkling wine company sponsored the event.