Digital branding: Gimmick or game-changer?
James Harmer of Touch packaging innovation explores the potential benefits for brands via technology-led packaging and smartphones.
Beer: What's after craft?
It’s been a runaway success, but the craft beer movement can’t rest on its laurels. Shay Waterworth takes a look at the direction it might be heading in
Back to basics
Bitters were the original cocktail ingredient and, with the return to ingredients with provenance, they are reclaiming their space on the back bar. Dominic Roskrow reports
Last call
In the final leg of the annual judging, seven categories were tasted in the final marathon session. Shay Waterworth reports
Connoisseur
Cono Sur is the star turn of chilean wine brands. Christian Davis meets its CEO and chief winemaker, Adolfo Hurtado
Pick of the Launches
Here is the pick of the launches from last month, as featured in Drinks International magazine July edition
Marlborough on a mission
This New Zealand region is best known for its Sauvignon Blanc, but it’s now making pinot noir that justifies itself as a quality red partner. Jamie Goode reports
Baijiu big spenders
Former China resident and DI reporter Shay Waterworth has experienced the world’s largest spirit, baijiu, first hand. He gives us his take on this unwieldy yet mysterious category
Bourbon back in business
An old spirit by any measure, bourbon is reinventing itself for the millennial generation. Ian Buxton reports
Americanisation is over
Illva Saronno, the Italian drinks producer, recently staged a business conference in China with its joint venture partner, Chinese wine producer Changyu. Christian Davis was there
It’s all in the game
Shay Waterworth teams up with veteran winemaker David Baverstock to find out what it is about Portugal that has kept him there for 35 years
Pick of the Launches
Here is the pick of the launches from last month, as featured in Drinks International magazine June edition
China's fake booze market
Drinks International guest writer Helen Saunders, head of intelligence and operations at brand protection company INCOPRO, gives her insight into the counterfeiting of alcohohol in China.
Canned revolution: Why UK breweries are choosing cans
Homer Simpson and Peter griffin are classic cartoon characters that have dominated TV screens for the past 20 years.
ISC Awards- Whiskies
Scotch again proved the biggest winner on its home turf as a record number of whiskies from around the world lined up on the tasting table. Shay Waterworth was at Edinburgh’s scotch whisky experience for the ISC event.
Old meets new
It was inevitable – vermouth is the latest category to be revived through the craft movement. Jaq Bayles reports on how modern twists are making big names sit up.
Just in case
The Nordic countries like their whisky. mostly scotch but also others – including now their very own. Christian Davis reports
Globally local
The London Wine Fair brings producers from across the globe together under one roof. Shay Waterworth previews
Scotch’s final frontier
Ian Buxton takes a trip around the smaller and lesser-known distilleries of Scotland’s outlying islands where producers battle the elements to make some of the country’s finest whisky
An age-old question
The lack of legal definitions around rum see some producers deceiving consumers with their claims, finds Holly Motion
Fighting talk
Hamish Smith meets one of Mexican culture’s greatest proponents and finds there’s more to Tomas Estes than meets the eye
Pick of the Launches
Here is the pick of the launches from last month, as featured in Drinks International Magazine May edition
Gin takes the high road
Scotland may be best known for its whisky, but it’s no slouch when it comes to producing gin either. Hamish Smith hears the pipes a-calling
Finding a voice
They may be the world’s most awarded brandies, but South Africa’s offerings struggle to get the message across to consumers. Holly Motion reports on how that’s all changing
Spanish highs
For 25 years María José Sevilla promoted Spanish food and wine. She retired in January and last month was made a member of the Gran Orden De Caballeros Del Vino (the grand order of the gentlemen of wine). Christian Davis saddles up
Pick of the Launches
Here is the pick of the launches from last month, as featured in Drinks International Magazine April edition
Air Miles
Miles Beale is the man who is going to be at the forefront of representing the UK wine and spirits industry in negotiating the country’s exit from the european union. Christian Davis gets a masterclass in how to deal with politicians.
Orlando or bust
Exhibitors and buyers from more than 75 countries are expected to attend the IAADFS duty free show of the Americas.
Wine Design & Marketing Challenge 2017: The Awards
Judges of DI's annual wine challenge found renewed vigour in a famously low-octane sector. Holly Motion reports
Pick of the Launches
Here is the pick of the launches from last month, as featured in Drinks International Magazine March edition
More tasteful proposition
The craft movement has started to help brush away vodka’s artificial flavours reputation and let the drink’s more natural tastes shine. Jaq Bayles reports
Trail Blazers
What goes up must come down, right? when it comes to Japanese Whisky that’s not necessarily the case, argues Dominic Roskrow. not yet, at least
Against the Grain
Ali Dedianko might not be the obvious choice for the new face of london beer week but, as Holly Motion found out, she is an inspired one
Pick of the Launches
Here is the pick of the launches from last month, as featured in Drinks International Magazine February edition
Wine Tourism: The Awards
The Drinks International Wine Tourism Challenge was judged at the Wine & Spirit Education Trust HQ. Christian Davis reports
Most Admired Champagne Brands 2017: 16-30
To continue our list of The Most Admired Champagne Brands, here is 16-30
The emotions of branding
It's emotions that drive purchase behaviour, says guest writer Steve Beckworth of creative agency Colt.
Most Admired Champagne Brands 2017: 1-15
So, the 2016 growing season was one of the most difficult in living memory. Thank heavens for a weather change in August through to harvest in mid-September
Champagne Brands 2017: How we did it
Holly Motion details the process behind the results of this year’s World’s Most Admired Champagne Brands
Natural Selection
Cocktail syrups have evolved over many years as classic cocktail modifiers. Kat Odell looks at how they have improved to satisfy modern consumer quality demands
Pre-mixed Drinks Challenge 2017 results
Quality is improving across the board when it comes to pre-mixed drinks, as producers recognise the increase in drinking ocassions. Hamish Smith reports
Pick of the Launches
Here is the pick of the launches from last month, as featured in Drinks International Magazine January edition
Moore’s the merrier
In 2006, Joanne Moore became the first female master distiller at G&J distillers and is one of the first women gin master distillers in the world. Christian Davis distils her story
DI DOZEN
Drinks International’s annual picks from 2016 of intriguing, exciting, fun and fantastic products and events
Distillery Experience Challenge 2017 results
The Awards judging took place at the Wine & Spirit Education Trust’s london headquarters in December. Christian Davis reports
Exchanging glances
One of the world’s great fortified wines, port is facing a number of challenges. Christian Davis reports
A star is born
When an aquavit was awarded the Supreme Champion Spirit by the International Spirits Challenge’s judges’ chairmen, many sat up and took notice. Christian Davis travels to Oslo to visit the home of aquavit
Le Passion
First it was rugby then he discovered he had a great palate. he converted. Christian Davis touches down with flamboyant winemaker Olivier Dauga
Drinks International’s 23rd Cocktail Challenge
The 23rd Cocktail Challenge from Drinks International took place last month, making it one of the longest uninterrupted global cocktail competitions in the world
The great sherry revival
A new generation of consumers is discovering styles their grandparents probably never knew. Holly Motion reports