In the early 18th century, London’s streets were awash with gin-swilling prostitutes, drunken gentry and binge drinkers even a forerunner to Jerry Springer couldn’t cure.  Gin made its way into the hearts and livers of the nation after Dutch-born William of Orange came to the throne in 1689 and encouraged distilling to bolster the UK grain industry, bringing with him a taste for…

Very few drinks categories boast the inherent qualities of the vast pantheon that is the liqueurs market. Put simply, there is a liqueur brand to suit all tastes, appeal across all age groups and, what’s more, the action is constantly evolving in order to meet the ever-changing consumer demand. All of which makes for a hugely fragmented and highly complicated sector.   There…

………………………………………………………  THE FRENCH ARISTOCRACY was removed from the seats of power head-by-head. That was more than 200 years ago but in the country’s wine capital of Bordeaux there remains a full-bodied ruling class.  The region’s wine classifications are a class system bordering on cast system. They separate the low-born from the high-born and maintain order; largely neglecting modern day progression and regression.

FOR MANY OUTSIDE of Belgium and The Netherlands, genever (or jenever – either is correct) is an enigma. Yes, it’s the forerunner to gin but it’s unpleasant with tonic. It takes its name from juniper but it doesn’t really work in gin cocktails. Those who make it are not blessed with the budgets of the multinationals and the message of genever…

IN 2009 IAN BURRELL was the UK rum ambassador. He had been working hard, progressing well, so, naturally asked for a promotion.  “I gave myself the title of global rum ambassador – and a pat on the back,” says Burrell. His UK moniker had been made up too. Apparently it first came about in print – an American journalist grappling to describe…

ALTHOUGH its apparent inexorable rise has been checked recently by disquiet and riots sparked by rising bus fares, the cost of staging the World Cup and Olympics and the cost of tickets, Brazil is the largest economy in Latin America. It is the third largest market for personal computers, fifth for mobile phones, and third largest agricultural producer. Only time will tell whether the…

Chile, like Diageo and Manchester United, just seems to keep going from strength to strength. Nothing appears to get in the way of its progress. Fortunately for the South American producer, it doesn’t have a sole leader so, it doesn’t have to worry about the likes of Paul Walsh and Sir Alex Ferguson moving on.  While Diageo and United face slightly uncertain futures…