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
Picasso wines
South Africa paints an experimental picture with its wines and, according to Tim Atkin MW, is the most dynamic wine-producing country in the world. Christian Davis report
Selling at a premium
Mixers are as important as the spirit when it comes to making a drink, and there are plenty of reasons to get consumers to trade up, says Tracy West
Tequila expresses itself
The Mexican spirit is shaking off its shot reputation in the US and being taken seriously in the premium stakes, Jaq Bayles reports
Pick of the Launches
Here is the pick of the launches from last month, as featured in Drinks International Magazine November edition.
Golden Opportunity
Wine Vision, the conference about the future of the wine industry, takes place from December 5-7 in California. Christian Davis reports
Driving a brand
Not many wine brand owners have official status at international events. The Bordeaux brand Mouton Cadet is an exception. Christian Davis talks to Baron Philippe De Rothschild managing director Hugues Lechanoine
Blended Scotch Whisky
The traditionally calm and tranquil world of blended scotch whisky is suddenly looking surprisingly spritely. Dominic Roskrow finds out why
It’s the journey that matters
Champagne could do better in travel retail, says Giles Fallowfield, and producers are actively trying to up their game
Portfolio Refresh
Ed Cottrell, new managing director for global travel retail at William Grant & Sons, is convinced of the need to constantly renew the company’s product portfolio, the former soldier talks to Joe Bates
Who’s in the running?
Joe Bates details the shortlisted contenders for this year’s Travel Retail Challenge, winners to be announced in Cannes on October 4
Nolet at one
Bob Nolet might have been born into the family business, but that didn’t stop him working his way up from the bottom. Hamish Smith meets the man
Pick of the Launches
Here is the pick of the launches from last month, as featured in Drinks International Magazine October edition.
Soft focus
Adult soft drinks have come a long way and now offer a viable, sophisticated alternative to their alcoholic counterparts. Tracy West reports
Blends beckon
It’s been all about the Malbec in Argentina for quite some time, but now winemakers are backing blends as the way forward. Christian Davis reports
Closing arguments
From sealing to feeling… and sparkling all over. Sally Easton MW reports on the latest in closure innovation
Fruit drops
Cider’s pulling in punters with its vast array of flavour variants. Tracy West looks at how various brands are capitalising on consumers’ love of fruit
Show and tell?
While some brand owners are starting to list nutritional information on labels, cream liqueurs are not so far among them. Holly Motion looks at why
Brandy tourism
Brandy de jerez has failed to travel well in the past, but Lily Giménez finds new attractions could be bringing in the imbibers
Barrel of laughs
Once Scotland’s youngest master blender, Richard Paterson is the ultimate educator when it comes to scotch. Christian Davis gets to the heart of the man
Pick of the Launches
Here is the pick of the launches from last month, as featured in Drinks International Magazine September edition.
International Spirits Challenge- Pictures from the night
A pictorial tribute to all the individuals and teams who took away trophies on the night
Eastern Promise
The wines of the Middle East have been characterised by Château Musar for many years. But new techniques mean change is in the air, says Michael Karam
Trending now
Given the nature and spread of cocktail bars, it’s tough to pinpoint global trends. but Hamish Smith gets some insights from the experts
Emerald Aisles
Irish whiskey is on a roll, reports Christian Davis, with increasing numbers of consumers discovering its charms worldwide
Family Guy
Strega is an old brand with traditional values at its heart – and that’s how Antonio Savarese intends it to stay, finds Hamish Smith
Pick of the Launches
Here is the pick of the launches from last month, as featured in Drinks International Magazine August edition.