The week in pictures

First frost, now bees – beekeepers got suited and booted at Greyfriars Vineyard in Surrey, after a swarm was spotted on one of the vines.

It seems bees are big fans of English wine. Pictures courtesy of David Line, vineyard manager at Greyfriars.

Pierre Emmanuel Taittinger and Patrick McGrath MW of Hatch Mansfield.

Pierre Emmanuel Taittinger and Patrick McGrath MW, managing director of Hatch Mansfield, at the planting of the first vines at Domaine Evremond in Kent earlier this week.

Pierre Emmanuel was joined by his wife, Claire, daughter, Vitalie, and many guests to plant the first of 20 hectares of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier vines at the new estate.

Up, up and away! A lucky few nabbed a spot in Taittinger’s hot air balloon as it flew over Domaine Evremond.

Judging is currently underway for the first edition of The Drinks Business Organic Global Masters. Thank you to Clement Robert MS, one of the panel, for the picture. Stayed tuned for the results.

db headed to the newly-opened Enoteca Pomaia in London’s Shoreditch for some delicious Italian treats. Enoteca Pomaia not only has its own winery in Tuscany, Podere di Pomaio, but also supports small producers in the Chianti region.

db’s Lucy Shaw felt like the cat who got the cream this week, as she was lucky enough to be invited to the three Michelin star and twice voted World’s Best Restaurant El Celler de Can Roca in Girona near Barcelona this week for a special lunch celebrating 25 years of revered Rías Baixas estate Pazo Señorans’ top wine Selección de Añada.

The epic five-hour feast kicked off with a procession of quirky canapés that included frozen olives plucked from a bonsai tree.

The restaurant is run by the three Roca brothers, head chef Joan, pastry chef Jordi and head sommelier Josep ‘Pitu’ Roca (pictured) who gave us the warmest of welcomes.

The event was hosted by Vicky Mareque Bueno and her mother Marisol who run the estate. Vicky is seen here modelling the stunning 2001 vintage of Selección de Añada, a 100% Albariño that spends at least 30 months ageing on its lees for added complexity and depth. A full report on the lunch will follow soon.

Some of the wines on show during the lunch, including the estate’s only oak-aged Albariño – Sol de Señorans.

We also found time to visit The Clove Club in Shoreditch town hall, which is riding high on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. During our languorous lunch we were treated to a sip of 1908 Madeira from d’Oliveras, which served to coat our glasses before they were filled with a rich, savoury duck consommé.

Another of the delicious wines we enjoyed during lunch was the 2006 vintage of Sauternes star Lafaurie-Peyraguey, which tasted like liquid honeycomb.

To celebrate Cinco de Mayo today (5 May), Patrón are hosting an all-day Tequila celebration by the Thames, with the Patrón Airstream taking shelter at London’s Southbank from 12noon until 9pm. Take your cocktail of choice from three international interpretations of the Margarita, as the three Patrón Margarita of the Year 2017 finalist recipes will be served-up at the Airstream.

Drambuie is collaborating with the bar at the Athenaeum Hotel & Residences in Mayfair to launch ‘The Navigator’ cocktail. The perfect serve for all seasons, ‘The Navigator’ is composed of 45ml Drambuie 15 Year Old, 30ml Rinomato Aperitivo and topped with East Imperial soda water. The cocktail is best enjoyed in a high ball glass and garnished with a grapefruit twist.