The week in pictures

Twelve judges tasted hundreds of wines at the Global Pinot Noir Masters on Tuesday. The results will be published in a future issue of the drinks business. 

Team db enjoyed a Venetian “culinary and oenological experience” with Italian prosecco producers Bisol on Tuesday. Guests were treated to a four course dinner by Michelin starred chef Antonia Klugman paired to a range of Bisol prosecco.

Guest were treated to a tasting of a 2010 Venissa which carries a real gold-leaf label. The white wine is made from Dorona – an ancient grape re-discovered by Gianluca Bisol in the remote Venetian lagoon island of Mazzorbo.

New cocktail bar The Whip launched at the Racing Horse pub in Mayfair on Thursday where bartender Jimmy Grant was on hand to “whip up” a variety of mint Julep cocktails. The Whip is a joint project by Chase Distillery owner James Chase and Dominic Jacobs, a former bar manager at Harvey Nichols.

Six varieties of the cocktail featuring whiskey, gin and rhubarb vodka were served on the evening alongside smoked vodka oysters and scallop ceviche.

Fresh oysters on ice at The Whip’s julep revival.

The elusive Eric Lebel, cellar master at Krug, makes a rare appearance in London to launch the 2003 vintage of the Champagne to the trade. During the tasting, Olivier Krug described the 2003 vintage as the “scariest” and “most challenging” of his 25-year career at the house.

Bo Barrett of Château Montelena in California takes questions from the crowd at a vertical tasting of Montelena Cabernet organised by Bancroft Wines at WSET this week. During the tasting, Barrett slammed American winemakers’ tendency to use too much new oak in their wines, which, he believes, kills the flavour.

Adam Brett Smith of Corney & Barrow jokes with Aubert de Villaine, co-owner of Burgundy’s Domaine de la Romanée-Conti at the trade tasting of the 2011 vintage at the merchant’s office in Tower Hill.

Among the wines on pour were the 2011 vintage of Richebourg, Echézeaux, Grands-Echézeaux, La Tâche and Romanée-Conti.

As modelled here by Tom Harrow, aka WineChap, in his new pink tweed suit.

Philippe Manfredini of Champagne Gosset models the latest vintages in its seven-strong range at the McKinley Vintners tasting at BAFTA in Piccadilly this week.

Duncan Murray, owner of independent wine merchant Duncan Murray in Market Harborough, Leicestershire, gets cosy with the BAFTA statue at the McKinley Vintners tasting at BAFTA in Piccadilly this week.

Wines from Rioja hosted a training session with sommeliers from Ametsa with Arzak Instruction on Thursday, showcasing a diverse range of wines from the region which shares its gastronomic heritage with the restaurant.