Ross Carter is the man who did the equivalent of ‘Brexit’ to the London Wine Fair. He oversaw the dumping of the international element in favour of going it alone with domestic. Christian Davis meets the event director.

The London Wine Fair – now in its 36th year – will be held at London Olympia from May 3-5. Christian Davis previews the upcoming event

How organiser Veronafiere is celebrating 50 years of Vinitaly, Italy’s leading showcase dedicated to wines and spirits, on April 10-13.

Here is the pick of the launches from last month, as featured in Drinks International Magazine April edition.

It’s not so long ago that pre-mixed cocktails were sneered at. But now it’s all about batching – and it’s all the rage. Holly Motion reports

It may be a cliché to say that the Australian wine industry has been a victim of its own success but it does aptly sum up its situation. Christian Davis delves down under. 

Standard spirits sales are growing but small budgets mean it’s often up to the bottle to do the talking. Hamish Smith reports.

Joe Bates confronts some challenges facing the Americas duty free business ahead of the annual Iaddfs show.

Here is the pick of the launches from last month, as featured in Drinks International Magazine March edition.

The liqueurs sector is like a jungle: full of different creatures. It’s a diverse environment where the one thing they have in common is a broad category classification. Christian Davis explores

The Wine and Spirits Education Trust’s Ian Harris is a man on a mission. Disciple Christian Davis catches up with the missionary

Lower-alcohol wines are flourishing in some markets and languishing in others. Christian Davis reports

Craft spirits, so-called and authentic, are now ubiquitous. Hamish Smith discusses what this means for the term –  and what the term actually means

After several years of top awards, critical acclaim and buoyant sales, Japanese whisky seems to have become a victim of its own success. Dominic Roskrow asks what’s happening next

Does super-premium really earn its stripes over the spirits segments? Holly Motion investigates

Brazil may be suffering economically, but its second sporting event in as many years is being hailed a great opportunity for its national spirit. Holly Motion reports

That rye whisky is in high demand will come as news to no one. But as Dominic Roskrow reports, we ain’t seen nothing yet….

With sugar under the cosh from the health lobby, bartenders and syrup producers are trying to find alternatives. Holly Motion catches up on the latest

Åsa Caap is the mastermind behind the Our/Vodka brand concept. Christian Davis Caught up with her in London to get the lowdown on how it all started

Spain’s sparklers could be starting to claw their way out from under the shadow of Prosecco, reports Sarah Jane Evans MW

Port is currently in good health but it needs to act now to ensure it survives warns Holly Motion  

Many brandy producers’ entry level products are now falling into the spirit drinks category. Hamish Smith asks if this is a move in the right direction

Whisky has survived choppy waters in scandinavia, and sales are holding up when compared to some other european markets. Dominic Roskrow reports

Not for the first time, a growing number of retailers, distributors and drinks experts are predicting a bright future for premium rum in the United States. Dominic Roskrow asked a panel of experts for their thoughts

Hamish Smith drinks in some pearls of wisdom from the cocktail world’s top historian

It’s reputedly the UK’s fastest growing soft drink and its pairing with the cool kid of craft – gin – has done it no harm whatsoever. So why is the drink that makes up three quarters of a G&T such a hard sell Stateside?

Mezcal is a spirit steeped in the rituals of mexico’s ancients. Hamish smith discovers how it is finding its way in the modern world.

The South African wine industry has reached a crucial moment, according to the chairman of Wines  of South Africa. Christian Davis got a tip off and was there

Consumers love ‘craft’, but are producers abusing the notion? Holly Hotion investigates

Fears of an agave shortage seem to be having no effect on tequila production as new markets open up and premium products find favour. Holly Motion reports

Washington state is a north American wine success story. But it is a wine region with a bit of an image problem of its own creation, finds Jamie Goode

Travel retail is a natural window to showcase champagne to the global community, says Giles Fallowfield

Hamish smith talks to ‘Mr Mezcal’ Ron Cooper about art, smuggling and improving life in the Zapotec villages.

Glenmorangie’s Bill Lumsden is to scotch whisky what Dr Who is to the BBC. Christian Davis travels to Ardbeg to meet the man who makes Glenmorangie and Ardbeg

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s just the latest spirit drink which we can’t call flavoured whisky but which prominently bears a major whisky brand on its label. Confused? Dominic Roskrow says you will be

New Zealand looks incapable of putting a foot wrong when it comes to its wines. And, with 2015 being hailed a near-perfect vintage, it is in a solid position to raise its already high prices globally as well as sell all its stocks. Jamie Goode reports

Experts from design specialist Seymourpowell look at how aesthetics can drive sales

Europe’s single malt producers are demanding a place at whisky’s top table. But, as Dominic Roskrow reports, this is just the tip of a very large iceberg

The dark rum category is benefiting from some tender loving care. Dominic Roskrow looks at how it’s targeting whisky and brandy as a premium spirit

While trading conditions in key markets are far from ideal, leading liqueur brands are stepping up their focus on travel retail, as Joe Bates reports

Cognac’s fall from grace amid China’s anti-austerity measures looks to now be in reverse. Richard Woodard reports

Christian Davis meets Neil Hirst, design director of 3D branding for packaging design specialists Seymourpowell

Rioja has never had it so good, says Adam Lechmere, and its producers plan to keep it that way by upping its image

Slowly – very slowly – but surely, the various strands that make up the Indian whisky market are coming together. Could the sub-continent make a significant contribution to world whisky? asks Dominic Roskrow

Glass in hand, Fleur Disney sets off around London on a quest to track down evidence of the merging trend in exclusive vintage vodkas

Vodka is increasing its world coverage by taking the premium route in travel retail. Joe Bates looks at what’s on offer

Has the habit of vodka bashing finally come to an end? Hamish Smith believes it has...

Production is down but Russians and Ukrainians are not necessarily drinking any less – Vladislav Vorotnikov investigates

A man called Sparrow is trying to save a cat from extinction. Christian Davis meets the Snow Leopard’s best friend

These are exciting times for German winemakers and their wines, says Andrew Catchpole