The week in pictures

Fifth generation Australian winemaker Bill Hardy addresses the room during Hardys 160th anniversary celebration at the top of the Gherkin on Tuesday night.

As well as offering a very enjoyable selection of wines, including Eileen Hardy Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and a Winemaker’s Rare Release Shiraz, Tuesday night also gave those who attended some stunning views across London. Including this view south, which took in the new Walkie-Talkie building, the Shard and HMS Belfast.

The first Hardy vines were planted in 1854 and even then founder Thomas Hardy recognised the importance of the UK market, with Bill Hardy telling the room that he is quoted as saying: “None but the best wines should be sent to England.” It was also announced on Tuesday night that owners Champ Private Equity would be making a £10 million investment in Hardys.

The trade were out in force for the Fells trade tasting at One Great George Street…

Where Henriot’s cellar master, Laurent Fresnet conducted a masterclass on the house’s Champagnes and in particular the blanc de blancs it produces.

The calm before the storm. The trade take a moment to taste Berry Bros Italian selection in peace and quiet before the arrival of the public at the Royal Horticultural Society.

A rather bemused looking fox looked on at Mark’s Bar at Hix on Tuesday night as guests of Rémy Martin got in the groove before jetting off to the Royal Opera House for an evening with the stars at GQ Magazine’s Men of the Year Awards.

Wine writer Matt Walls tries to hide from view during a lunch at Medlar with dynamic duo Adolfo Hurtado, chief winemaker at Cono Sur and Marcelo Papa, chief winemaker at Concha y Toro ahead of The Beautiful South tasting in London next week.

Oh captain, my captain! db’s Lucy Shaw was lucky enough to spend part of the week in Paris, where she was treated to a boat ride down the Seine in a Venetian water taxi, chilled glass of Moët & Chandon in hand.

The Shangri-La hotel in Paris’ 16th arrondissement celebrated the final week of its pop-up Bollinger bar this week, with Bollinger Rosé poured from Jeroboams and Pink Lady cocktails made with gin, pomegranate and egg white.

One of the many exquisite wines enjoyed during a dinner at the two Michelin-starred L’Abeille (the bee) restaurant at the Shangri-La, home to head chef Philippe Labbé, was L’Evangile’s second wine Blason de L’Evangile 2009, which made for a wonderful pairing with a main of lamb with smoked aubergine and sweetbreads.

One of the more unusual petit fours at L’Abeille were marshmallow teddy bears scented with yuzu.

And finally… Midnight in Paris