THERE USED TO BE a sensitivity that, while millions of hectolitres of Chilean wine were drunk annually, hardly anybody seemed to know where the place was. Well, possibly due to the miraculous rescue of those miners then the devastating earthquake in February 2010, that is now far less the case. Possibly its world class wines have contributed to that increasing awareness of…

LET’S GET THE MARGARITA out of the way, first. According to Don Julio’s global ambassador, Brian Van Flandern, it is the number one cocktail in North America.  So what should be in it? Over to the experts at Mayahuel – number 44 in the World’s 50 Best Bars and named after the goddess of agave: 2oz 100% [agave] Tequila; 1oz Cointreau;…

If ever anyone represented the case for nominative determinism, Joy Spence, Appleton Estate’s master blender, is surely that person, for she does indeed seem to find joy in everything. A powerhouse of energy, enthusiasm and ideas, at 61, Spence still marvels at the way her life has turned out and has firm plans to ensure her good fortune spills over into the lives of others.

ASIA, ASIA, ASIA. That’s all we read about these days. A headline from UK newspaper The Guardian reads: “Exports galore – sales of scotch to Asia rise so fast that supplies may run short”. Scottish newspaper Herald Scotland went with: “Asian boom fuels distiller’s earnings.” You get the idea. So sales are flying, the luxury end is up and emerging middle…

FOR YEARS Drinks International has been publishing its annual Millionaires supplement charting the progress of the industry’s million case spirits brands. Over the years Millionaires has become a much awaited and sought after publication.  As we all know, volume sales do not tell the whole story and last year we introduced a new league table to add another dimension to…

SALES OF THE TOP SEVEN Indian whisky brands are equivalent to Diageo’s total annual sales of scotch whisky around the world. That comment comes from Dr Nick Morgan, Diageo’s head of whisky outreach. India is one of, if not the, fastest growing alcoholic beverages markets in the world. United Spirits, the country’s largest drinks company, claims to be the world’s biggest liquor company…

THE FORTUNES OF THE GREEN FAIRY are finally looking up. In 2012, absinthe is facing its first full year of recognition as a global spirits category since the early 20th century. The period of government-dragooned illegitimacy – a reaction to absinthe’s so-called psychoactive powers – is over, and there’s a new wave of liberated producers pushing the category forward. With the anti-absinthe propaganda…