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

Chile’s reputation as the Volvo of the wine world has been consigned to the scrapheap. Jamie Goode reports on the new wave

The world has suddenly woken up to Irish whiskey – but how is the sector going to meet the phenomenal demand? Gavin D Smith reports

With ‘artisan’ the watchword across all spirits categories, tequila is coming into its own with discerning consumers, finds Richard Woodard

Blended scotch whisky rules when it comes to volume sales worldwide. Gavin D Smith reports

Can sambuca be both a serious cocktail ingredient and a party shot? Lucy Britner looks for answers 

Hollywood director Steven Soderbergh tells Hamish Smith why his niche passion could have global box-office appeal.

Despite a boom in American distilleries, producers are struggling to keep up with demand. Dominic Roskrow reports

Last year was significant for the Austrian wine industry – roaring exports and some new, fresh, quality-oriented initiatives. Christian Davis reports

Old Tom and classic cocktails go hand in hand. But where did Old Tom come from and where is it going? Lucy Britner attempts to find out

Bitter flavours are finding favour with consumers across food and drink – and this can only benefit cocktails. Holly Motion reports

World's 50 Best Bars editor Hamish Smith imbibes at Israel’s finest

Robert Parker is the biggest name the wine world has ever known. Hamish Smith caught up with him to find out how his name was made.

The champagne category needs to claw back its premium status to survive this competitive market. Giles Fallowfield reports

New solutions are bringing closure to the debate. Jamie Goode reports

Last up from the Brandy Report is a look into brandy sales in the Travel Retail sector.

Peach is the next flavour seducing consumers in the HQ of flavoured spirits. Hamish Smith tracks the sugar rush to brandy

The US is back spending and brandy, imported and domestic, is set to benefit. Hamish Smith charts the market’s turnaround

Russians are exhibiting a paradoxical approach to economic difficulties, reports Richard Woodard

Cocktail entrepreneur JJ Goodman has spent his life making his own luck. He tells Hamish Smith how he went from chicken shop to bar royalty