The week in pictures

db was among a select few to attend a media preview of celebrity US chef Wolfgang Puck’s Spago pop-up at Cut at 45 Park Lane this week. For the first time, Puck has brought his Spago concept to London, joined by Champagne Lanson, which has been its pouring partner since the first Spago opened 35 years ago on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood. For the occasion, Champagne Lanson’s owner, Philippe Baijot, has provided 12 magnum bottles of Lanson’s 1982 vintage Champagne, plucked from his private cellar.

Having kicked off the evening with a glass of 1982 Lanson, guests were treated to a menu that included charred octopus in young coconut water and habanero chilli, wild sea bass with beet-ginger ponzu, edamame, okra and wasabi, and grilled Wagyu NY steak, paired to a selection of wines. Puck said it was a “dream come true” to be able to bring his first restaurant to London, in collaboration with Spago’s chef de cuisine Tetsu Yahagi and CUT at 45 Park Lane’s executive chef David McIntyre (pictured). 

The Lan-groni – gin and Vermouth topped with Lanson Champagne, offering a lighter, more refreshing twist on a classic Negroni – a speciality of Cut at 45 Park Lane. Puck’s Spago pop-up will run from 28 June to 1 July, with lunch and dinner reservations available. For more information email Cut.45L@dorchestercollection.com or call +44 (0)20 7493 4545.

Spotted outside the Benett Arms in Semley: a busy schedule of beer events!

Philippe Sereys de Rothschild, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Baron Philippe de Rothschild SA, and Alfonso Larrain Santa Maria, Chairman of Vina Cocha y Toro SA, who welcomed family members and international wine trade and press guests to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Almaviva, their fine wine making venture in Chile.

Almaviva is a fine wine making collaboration in Chile between Baron Philippe de Rothschild SA and Concha y Toro SA and is available in selected fine wine retailers in the UK for around £130.

Luc Belaire has enlisted Grammy-nominated DJ Steve Aoki as the first official brand ambassador for the launch of Luc Belaire Gold. In this role, Steve will be integrating the new cuvée into the Aoki experience, both online, in his performances, and in other upcoming activations, resulting in fun and upbeat content to be shared with fans and followers.

Tipsy Robot, featuring a bar staffed entirely by robots, is due to open today (30/07/17) in Las Vegas. Pictured is Tipsy Robot wner Rino Armeni at a preview.

Former city of Las Vegas mayor, Oscar Goodman, also had a sneak peek, flanked by two showgirls.

Squerryes, located near Westerham in Kent, officially unveiled its 2014 rosé sparkling to its wine club members in the beautiful grounds of Squerryes Court, built in 1681.

Wine writer and BBC Saturday Kitchen regular, Olly Smith, got stuck in whilst filming at Troubadour Maltings.

Yogaritas, combining yoga and margaritas, was recently launched in London’s Stoke Newington. Imported from New Mexico, we’ve finally found the best way to stay fit while having fun. Classes take place every Wednesday (7pm-8pm) and Sunday (12:15-1:15pm) at The Prince, N16 0EB. For more information, please contact Bahar on bahar_gt@yahoo.com.

Marchese Lamberto Frescobaldi presents a vertical tasting of his ‘Super Tuscan’ Sangiovese-Merlot blend, Luce della Vite, at Spencer House in London on Thursday this week. The event was held to celebrate the appointment of Waddesdon Wine as the new UK distributor for Luce della Vite.

How did Berry Bros & Rudd mark the retirement of its highly-respected Burgundy director, Jasper Morris MW on Tuesday this week? With a lunch of course, featuring no fewer than 11 wines, and one Port (as well as Champagne Billecart-Salmon 1996 to start). For those that can’t read the labels, you can marvel at the list that follows:
2014 Dog Point, Section 94 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough;
2013 Au Bon Climat, Hildegard, Santa Maria Valley, California;
2009 Chassagne-Montrachet, Tête du Clos Premier Cru, Benjamin Leroux;
2004 Meursault, La Sève du Clos, Arnaud Ente;
2004 Le Montrachet, Grand Cru, Domaine des Comtes Lafon;
2010 Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru, Olivier Bernstein;
2000 Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru, Denis Bachelet;
1999 Volnay Santenots-du-Milieu, Domaine des Comtes Lafon (magnum);
2003 Unico, Bodegas Vega Sicilia, Ribera del Duero;
1997 Monte Bello, Ridge Vineyards, California;
2001 Château d’Yquem, Sauternes;
1952 Graham’s colheita Port.

Champagne Bollinger witnessed a special guard of honour when 24 Aston Martins parked up outside the entrance to the house.