The week in pictures

Geronimo Inns got the party started at the relaunch of historic live music venue The Bull’s Head in Barnes, south west London. Having previously hosted the likes of Mick Jagger and jazz supremo Humphrey Lyttleton, the pub’s new owners have promised to continue this musical tradition, but with a fresh look and some superior pub grub.

Photo credit: Colin Hampden White

Dr William Lumsden, head of distilling and whisky creation at Glenmorangie, at the launch of the Glenmorangie Companta last night – the latest addition to its Private Edition whisky range.

db’s Lucy Shaw took a trip to Spain this week to indulge in some truffle hunting. Here Emanuele Barrasso of R&R Teamwork proudly poses with the giant truffle sniffed out during a hunt in Somontano, northern Spain, with the winemaking team at Viñas Del Vero.

During the truffle hunt, organised by González Byass, invitee chefs, wine writers and sommeliers stayed in the sleepy village of Alquezar, where the only sounds you can hear in the morning are chirping birds and the church bells ringing in the hours.

Moving on from Somontano, team GB took its team of willing truffle hunters to Cava country to visit Vilarnau, where we were treated to a traditional calçotada – a feast of spring onions dipped in romesco sauce and washed down with lashings of Cava poured at a height. Richard Bigg, owner of the Camino restaurant group, can be seen here going for it with gusto.

Photo credit: Rob Lawson

Four high-achieving pupils who scored top marks in their WSET Level 3 award in wine and spirits were rewarded with Grands Crus level scholarships to the École du Vin in Bordeaux city by the CIVB (Bordeaux Wine Council).

the drinks business took a trip to Laithwaites Wine headquarters near Reading where group CEO Simon McMurtrie and Hong Kong-based entrepreneur Simon Hsu discussed their new Asian franchise deal and plans to change the shape of the Taiwanese wine market.

Tucked away among the warehouses at Laithwaites Wine HQ, the company has its own vineyard, whose vines looked sensibly dormant on a chilly January day.

Winemaker Jamie Marfell shows off not just one but a whole trio of new releases from New Zealand brand Brancott Estate, including a Sauvignon Gris and a new range called Terroir Series.

Prince Harry speaking at a conference held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Knightsbridge, London, following his return from the South Pole. The Walking with the Wounded South Pole Allied Challenge saw three teams made up of wounded servicemen successfully reach the South Pole after crossing 200km of Antarctic plateau. Prince Harry’s team was sponsored by Glenfiddich. 

Scottish craft brewer BrewDog opened its first bar in São Paulo, Brazil, bringing its global tally to 14. The bar, Fachada BrewDog, is the second outside the UK (the first being in Stockholm last year) and is located in the Pinheiros District of the city. The bar will serve 15 beers on tap including a guest beer from Brazilian brewery Way Beer called “WayDog”.

Becky Paskin, managing editor of The Spirits Business, enjoyed a star studded night out with Dodd’s Gin at the National Television Awards on Wednesday where she was lucky enough to meet TV presenter Dermot O’Leary.