The week in pictures

Putting on the Ritz – Champagne G.H. Mumm’s chef de cave Didier Mariotti (chef) launched the 2006 vintage of the fizz at The Ritz in Piccadilly, London, where he was joined by Champagne enthusiasts Tom Stevenson (left) and Giles Fallowfield.

The Ritz private dining room proved a suitably spectacular venue for the glitzy launch.

Chief executive of The Benevolent, David Cox, presented LIWF Funfair Champagne Hoopla Winner Christopher Cooper, Soho House Group’s sommelier, with a bottle Tattinger Collection Vintage 2002 designed by Amadou Sow. The Benevolent added a special thank you to Hatch Mansfield for donating the bottle.

The official launch of Champagne Jacquart’s new prestige cuvée “Alpha” took place in Paris at l’Atelier Brancusi. The cuvée is from the 2005 vintage and is a blend of approximately 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir, which will be available in the UK from the end of June.

Sex and the City actress Kim Cattrall stars alongside Broadway actor Seth Numrich in Tennessee Williams’ “Sweet Bird of Youth”, at The Old Vic theatre in London, where Champagne Taittinger is the associate Champagne partner.

Employees from Kingsland Wines & Spirits and Legacy Wines successfully completed a challenging trek along the Great Wall of China in aid of Brain Tumour Research. The company has raised over £38,000 to date, and all funds will go direct to the charity due to the trek being self-funded by the company and the employees who took part. The team initially set themselves a target of £30,000 and with thanks to the local community and supporting businesses, they exceeded all expectations, and are now determined to reach £40,000. To donate, click here.

Robin Appel of Warminster Maltings teaching sommeliers from Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons John Devine, Arnaud Goubet, Jérémy Cadière and Chris Garratt the germination process of the Maris Otter Barley.

Consumers in Japan partake in a new way to enjoy wine, with a wine spa.

db’s Rupert Millar was lucky enough to enjoy Veuve Clicquot’s hospitality at Stoke Park this week to see Novak Djokovic (in red) and Grigor Dimitrov warm up ahead of the start of Wimbledon next week.

Pilsner Urquell brought over whole tanks of beer from its brewery, allowing Taste of London visitors to try the unpasteurised version enjoyed by locals in the Czech Republic. The tank format has also been made available at The White Horse in Parsons Green, West London.

Among the exciting array of UK drinks on show at the fair, db particularly enjoyed the full-on juniper flavour of Boxer Gin, a London dry style that uses Sussex spring water and wild Himalayan juniper berries.

Clive Hitchens, Lamb Inn general manager; co-chairs of Norwich City of Ale Philip Cutter and Dawn Leeder and TCG regional operations manager Mark Nield raise a glass to the Lamb Inn in Norwich’s first Ale Festival, which last 11 days over May and June.

Footballer turned Sky Sports pundit Chris Kamara, takes “a break from all his worries” and heads to Cheers bar in Boston.

“I stick my neck out for nobody” – db was treated to a rare glimpse of two giraffes at London Zoo this week at the launch of its Zoo Lates summer sessions, sponsored by Bordeaux Wines.

Simples! db’s favourite creatures by far at the zoo were the adorable meerkats, who kept us entertained rather than trying to flog cheap car insurance.

And finally, Mumm’s regional director for the Americas and Western Europe, Hughes Le Marie, tries to sneak a bottle from the Champagne Mumm tower brightening The Ritz’ hallway.