Week in Pictures: BAFTA bubbles and Pompeii vines

From the Royal Festival Hall to Cozumel, and from Pompeii to Edinburgh, this week brought film, archaeology, spirits and sustainability into the same frame.

Champagne at the BAFTAs

The 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards returned to London’s Royal Festival Hall with Alan Cumming hosting. For the 24th year as Official Champagne Partner, Taittinger poured Brut Réserve on arrival and again at the post-awards dinner and afterparty, bottles bearing a bespoke BAFTA label marked the long partnership.

Robert Aramayo and Jessie Buckley took the leading acting honours, while One Battle After Another was named Best Film. Taittinger had also been served the previous evening at the BAFTA Film Nominees’ Party at the National Gallery, part of its year-round association with the Academy.

Guests of Casillero del Diablo included Vogue Williams and Spencer Matthews, while Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet were photographed at the awards with Reserva Especial Cabernet Sauvignon.

Margaritas and a world record

Princess Cruises broke the Guinness World Record for the most Margaritas sold in eight hours aboard Regal Princess while docked in Cozumel. A total of 3,410 cocktails were served, surpassing the previous record of 2,728.

The 24k Margarita, made with Pantalones Blanco Tequila, Cointreau, Grand Marnier and Margarita mix, has become the cruise line’s most ordered signature serve, passing one million sales within a year.

Pompeii’s vineyards travel to London

The Pompeii Wine Project began its international programme at the Italian Cultural Institute in London. Gabriel Zuchtriegel of the Pompeii Archaeological Park and Antonio Capaldo of Feudi di San Gregorio presented the initiative, which cultivates more than six hectares of vineyards within the archaeological site using organic practices.

The project places wine within a wider cultural context, drawing on research into ancient viticulture while engaging contemporary agronomy and sustainability. A more in-depth write-up on the discussion will be available to read on db next week. In the meantime, here’s the story so far.

World Margarita Day in Edinburgh

Dram Bar and Zacal Mezcal marked World Margarita Day with a takeover at Panda & Sons in Edinburgh. Chris Tanner created a menu of mezcal-based Margaritas and offered an early look at The Zacalita, a lightly sparkling canned serve due for release later this year. The event followed an earlier collaboration between the two bars, this time reversing the direction of travel.

A King’s Award for Glencairn

Glencairn Crystal received its King’s Award for Enterprise trophy at its East Kilbride studio, presented by the Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire, Lady Haughey. The family-owned company was recognised for innovation, marking the fourth time it has received the honour.

Founded in 1981, Glencairn is known worldwide for the tulip-shaped whisky glass, now widely regarded as the industry standard.

China’s emerging terroirs

At the Institute of Masters of Wine, Michael Palij MW presented a tasting titled China’s Emerging Terroirs in partnership with Vinum Eurus. Wines from producers including Silver Heights, Domaine Franco-Chinois and Long Ting were shown, offering a view across regions such as Ningxia and Yunnan and reflecting the country’s expanding viticultural confidence

Maison L’Époque Baroque XO shines at George Club

Winemaker and blender, Yohann Pinol unveiled The Spirits Masters’ Master medal-winning Maison L’Époque Baroque XO Cognac at George Club neat, alongside N25 caviar, and in an enduring cocktail, the Vieux Carré alongside 1965 Bénédictine. Available at Hackstons (£360).

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