The week in pictures

This metaphor about finely-honed balance and artistry was not lost on db as Bollinger poured its rose at the Four Seasons hotel in London this week.

Champagne Jacquart business development manager Daniel I’Anson ready to pour from a Nebuchadnezzar at the Bath Boules charity day, which helped to raise £15,000 for a local charity.

Raising a toast to 30 year old Talisker outside the Whisky Shop in Piccadilly, which held a Diageo tasting where the Talisker was tried along with the Dalwhinnie 25 year old, Mortlach 16 year old, Lagavulin 12 year old and a Caol Ila 25 year old.

Wine writer and presenter Charles Metcalfe took an exuberant approach to the Definitive Italian Tasting, which took place at Lord’s cricket ground in London this week.

Federica Bon, European export manager for Nino Franco, with a bubbling line-up of Nino Franco Prosecco at the Definitive Italian Tasting.

Cockburn’s “Rabelo” races ahead of other boats during the annual race against other Port lodges, which takes place on the Douro River. The Cockburn Rabelo won the race.

Crowds enjoy the Rioja Tapas Fantasticas at Potter’s Field near Tower Bridge in London. The event saw 41 wineries showcasing 178 wines to consumers, plus 14 restaurants offering a range of tapas. More than 12,000 people enjoyed the two-day event.

Bob King looks at different malting barley varieties with farmers at this week’s ABC Growers Conference in Norfolk.

db hoped it was attracting attention for the right reasons at the launch of Drake & Morgan’s sixth London venue, The Happenstance, opposite St Paul’s Cathedral.

Jean Christophe Mau at the Thomas Pink shirt shop on London’s Jermyn Street where his new rosé from Château Brown featured in a blind tasting of pink wines from around the world.

Elizabeth Gabay MW also assesses the rosés among the cufflinks at Thomas Pink on Tuesday this week.

Hakkasan’s head wine buyer Christine Parkinson introduces a handful of press to the intricacies of Sake. Parkinson, along with wine writer Anthony Rose, are running a Sake course for consumers on Saturday mornings from 6 July at Sake No Hana. 

Included in the course is a chance to taste Ginjo Sake from Nechi Otokoyama, brewed by English toji Philip Harper in the Niigata Prefecture. Ginjo is the equivalent of grand cru in wine terminology, explained Parkinson.

db’s Lucy Shaw was treated to a day at the tennis by Lanson to celebrate the Champagne house’s 25th year as the official fizz sponsor of Wimbledon. Proceedings were kicked off in style with flutes of Lanson White Label, served with a garnish of your choosing: strawberry, lemon or orange.

First up on centre court was Roger Federer, who casually destroyed his opponent in straight sets, though went on to crash out of the competition two days later.

Lucy then got terribly excited at the prospect of seeing Spanish ace Rafael Nadal grace the court, only to be devastated by his straight sets loss to blond Belgian Steve Darcis, whom the crowd took to calling Mr Darcy. Ever the gallant sportsman, Nadal went on to praise Darcis rather than blame his dodgy knee.

Last to play was Andy Murray, who looked quietly confident on the court and sailed through his match with ease. With Federer and Nadal out, could this finally be his year to lift the trophy?

db was lucky enough to be one of the first to dine at the newly opened Hutong, housed on the 33rd floor of The Shard. Owned by the Aqua Restaurant Group, the restaurant boasts breathtakingly beautiful views across the London skyline, which comes alive as the sun sets.

Hutong specialises in northern Chinese cuisine, and destined to become its signature dish is the Imperial Peking duck, which is carved at your table by chef.

A sea of red lanterns glow like rubies as night falls at Hutong.

And finally…db’s Andy Young (centre) escaped to Scotland to help Burn Stewart celebrate this weekend’s Deanston Whisky Festival.