Week in pictures

From Chile to Cognac via cocktails and Champagne, life is rarely dull working in the drinks industry.

Look back on the past week at the drinks business in our latest Week in Pictures.

Even in the middle of Santiago you can’t escape Chile’s stunning scenery

The imposing gates at the entrance to the headquarters of Cognac house Frapin

Inside the Frapin distillery, the original “company car” is proudly displayed to remind visitors of the history of the company, which dates back as far as 1270.

Arnaud Frennet of Casa Silva gets to grips with the iPad wine list at cutting edge restaurant KM0 in the W Hotel, Santiago, Chile

The restaurant also featured an impressive multi-storey wine wall

The “Founder’s House” at the Martell distillery in Cognac is a faithful recreation of the way the house would have looked when Jean Martell founded the distillery in 1715.

db enjoyed a comprehensive tasting of the Hennessy Cognac range at the brand’s headquarters.

Judging UK Bartenders’ Guild cocktail competitions is a tough job, but someone has to do it. That someone, ladies and gentlemen, was db.

A wander round a Chilean supermarket uncovered a few labels which might not be appearing in the UK anytime soon

db licks its lips as it prepares to taste 200 of the world’s best spirits at the International Wine and Spirit Competition’s 2011 Spirits Tasting at Innholders’ Hall in London.

db editor Patrick Schmitt (in blue) lends his support during the Pol Roger Cup as team Bligh, skippered by Jonathan Smailes, sails slowly to victory.

And finally… it’s a tough life working for the drinks business. Our events manager Sheila Crisp somehow finds room to work amid the entries to our inaugural Champagne Masters competition.