{"api":{"host":"https:\/\/pinot.decanter.com","authorization":"Bearer YTliOGNlOTQ2ZDQwZmZmYmExYTM5MWRmNmY3YjQzNDEzOGMyYThlZmQ1ZmI3M2Q4MWFiNjY5NjgzYWQ4NmY3ZQ","version":"2.0"},"piano":{"sandbox":"false","aid":"6qv8OniKQO","rid":"RJXC8OC","offerId":"OFPHMJWYB8UK","offerTemplateId":"OFPHMJWYB8UK","wcTemplateId":"OTOW5EUWVZ4B"}}

Flashy diners defy the recession

Britain may not quite have left the recession yet, but it seems the downturn hasn’t deterred diners from splashing out on their lunchtime tipple.

In its ‘Bill of the Year’ column, City AM reports that the height of the financial crisis in February saw four businessmen splashed out an eye-watering £8,500 for an imperial of Chateau Cheval Blanc over lunch.

With the business lunch also including a magnum of 2000 Cristal Champagne and a bottle of Château D’Yquem 1987, the whole meal ended up costing the group a staggering £13,011.19.

The extravagant lunch, at London’s Buddha Bar on Victoria Embankment, is thought to have been a treat for the wives of the businessmen.

New video: How to Serve Wine, with Steven Spurrier

Follow us on Twitter

Written by John Abbott

Latest Wine News