Investment, improved equipment, a warming climate – much has happened in recent years to elevate the quality and profile of English wine, particularly its fizz.

Bruichladdich’s packaging has undergone a radical overhaul, driven by environmental concerns. Global marketing director Gareth Brown discusses with Oli Dodd the unique challenges of an island such as Islay.

Belfast International Airport has not been able to cash in on the return of duty free a­fter Brexit but elsewhere the summer travel season was a soaraway success.

Hamish Smith speaks to Neal Bodenheimer, board member and co-resurrector of Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans.

Macroeconomic forces are slowing the recovery of the travel retail drinks business, leading brands to rethink their strategies towards the channel.

Matt Pietrek explores the intricate and fascinating world of molasses-alternative rums.

The capital of Greece may be best known for its historical ruins, but the thriving bar scene has brought it bang up to date in the cocktail pantheon.

Rye whiskey’s revival

27 July, 2023

Recently on the verge of disappearing, rye whiskey is back winning hearts and minds thanks largely to the cocktail culture revival.

Eleanor Yates looks at how prosecco producers are working to differentiate their wines from other bubblies.

RTD format suits vodka

27 July, 2023

As the spirit’s cache wanes – especially in the States – the ready-to-drink format is proving a positive space for its mixed offerings.

Shay Waterworth finds an ancient Italian drink style is enjoying a resurgence globally, with modernism meeting tradition as new brands emerge.

Luxury and sustainability are a common juxtaposition but for Louis XIII, one of the most exclusive cognac brands in the business, the two concepts are being aligned. 

When the producers of a new mastiha brand wanted to get the word out to the right people, they called on a man with a history of doing just that – only he hadn’t worked in drinks before.

While they put a focus on the spirit, some experts believe the explosion of brands backed by famous faces does the category and quality expectations no favours.

Hamish Smith drills down into the results and how they reflect what’s important to the bar industry.

Rémy Cointreau and Whyte & Mackay have both named new duty free heads as the peak summer travel season heralds a flurry of new exclusives.

Oli Dodd charts the fall and rise of apple brandy as a handful of UK distillers revive an ancient category.

Sorrel Moseley-Williams reports on a climatically challenging but surprisingly good 2023 harvest.

Sambuca has been in decline for a while, but producers believe it has potential to reach new consumers with evolving serves and cocktails.

Japan invests in whisky

22 June, 2023

Exports have become a priority for big brands as global demand increases.

AI expert Chris Lowder explains to Shay Waterworth how the technology can be a boon to the drinks sector.

Walter Meyenberg’s raison d’être is to create cultural connections through creative concepts in Mexico. To date, he has eight such ventures and explains to Oli Dodd how he got this far.

Diageo employs drones to boost water conservation in Jalisco as tequila on brink of overtaking vodka as industry leader in the US.

Shay Waterworth explains why DI believes it’s so important to partner with Tales of the Cocktail on its Beyond the Bar programme.

Tyler Zielinski makes the pilgrimage to Jamaica’s Hampden Estate, where natural production methods for rum have long been employed.

Shay Waterworth investigates the potential for Rioja blanco as consumer tastes swing towards lighter styles and climate change means bringing in different grape varieties.

The Scotch industry is very keen on using sherry vats to finish its whiskies, but the fortified still has an image problem with drinkers.

There’s so much more to rosé beyond Provence styles – consumers just need to be made aware of other options.

The message to emerge loud and clear from the busy TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition is that travel retail’s most important market is on the road to recovery.

The London Wine Fair returned to the Olympia for a three-day event that felt like a return to pre-pandemic normality, Drinks International sat down with the show’s director Hannah Tovey to reflect on the event and look ahead to next year. 

Food waste and positive farming techniques are the goals of two Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award winners. Shay Waterworth follows the new efforts of Re and Little Red Door.

Ginflation in the UK

28 April, 2023

The UK’s favourite spirit battles high tax, rising costs and a lack of support from the government.

Pisco pack leaders

28 April, 2023

Divided across two nations, pisco is badly in need of leaders to take it into the wider world.

Change for Chilean wine

28 April, 2023

Women winemakers in Chile are working with a shi­fting climate and diversifying the country’s portfolio in the process.

What is B Corp?

28 April, 2023

Environmental and social responsibility have become essential to business, and achieving the highest standard possible involves hard work, Drinks International sits down with Tim Etherington-Judge to talk B Corp.

This month’s TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition takes place at a time of rebirth for the region’s travel retail business after years of Covid-related misery.

The uncovering of a family history has led to one of the biggest success stories in American whiskey history.

Scotch comes at a price

27 April, 2023

Scotland's whisky-making industry has been hard hit by many external factors – not least the UK’s Spring Budget. 

Bushmills’ new distillery has opened up a world of possibilities both for production levels and the creation of exciting Irish whiskey expressions.

Crémant ready to pop

13 April, 2023

Crémant shares many similarities with French cousin champagne – but price isn’t one of them. Shay Waterworth reports on how the wine is growing.

Mixers step up the pace

13 April, 2023

Premium tonic and fellow mixers have grabbed consumer attention rapidly in recent years, and have been subject to much innovation, Shay Waterworth seeks out the latest trends.

They may only be needed in tiny drops, but bitters are a crucial element for many cocktails. Eleanor Yates looks at how the market is growing post-covid.

The Rioja producer has announced plans for a new visitor centre that will showcase its commitment to sustainability.

Cognac future rapped up

05 April, 2023

One sector of popular music seems fixated on the spirit and is helping introduce new consumers to the sector. but it’s not all plain sailing.

The travel retail industry calendar moves on to the Americas and Summit of the Americas in Florida. Joe Bates reports on a region rebounding strongly after covid, but which does face challenges.

Steven Soderbergh has dipped into the oceans of spirits and secured his favourite Bolivian drink its own classification.

Historic event supported by Maison Edouard Delaunay nets record amount for Hospices de Nuits-Saint-Georges.

To mark Women’s History Month, Drinks International caught up with female powerhouse Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey to look at its success in the traditionally male dominated space that is the whisk(e)y industry. 

When UK chancellor of the exchequer Jeremy Hunt delivered his 2023 budget in the House of Commons, how you received it might’ve depended on your preferred tipple.

Rum moves to sustainability

23 February, 2023

Despite the challenges posed by its production methods, the sugarcane spirit is serious about a commitment to a greener future.

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La'Mel Clarke

Service isn’t servitude: the skill of hosting

La’Mel Clarke, front of house at London’s Seed Library, looks at the forgotten art of hosting and why it deserves the same respect as bartending.

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