An eye on the ball

10 May, 2018

Shay Waterworth meets purity brewing’s Florent Vialan to talk rugby, cycling – and a bit of brewing for sport.

Australian wine has certainly had its ups and downs in recent years, but Jamie Goode finds cause to believe it’s now truly back on track.

Frozen in time

10 May, 2018

Steeped in history, the bitters category is also steeped in confusion for many consumers – but history and authenticity are on its side. Angel Brown reports

Pick of the Launches

02 May, 2018

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

The summer festival season is fast approaching in the northern hemishpere and Zoe Brown, head of account management at BD Network gives her insights on what brands are doing to promote different drinks.

Bubbling up

19 March, 2018

Cava has been stuck between a rock and a hard place, namely champagne and prosecco. but there is a new classification and producers want to float up on consumers’ love for bubbles. Christian Davis fizzes

Animated serves

19 March, 2018

With cocktails increasingly involving scientific geekery, how do bars keep consumers interested in technical drinks? Shay Waterworth polls the lab pioneers

Shay Waterworth meets Purity Brewing's Florent Vialan to talk rugby, cycling - and a bit of brewing for sport.

Shay Waterworth reveals the names on everyone’s lips following last month’s annual Wine Design Challenge.

The annual awards are a highlight of the year for any company which invests in creating a visitor experience. Christian Davis reports.

Like a dog with two tails

19 February, 2018

Big-name suppliers have every reason to feel happy as Chinese New Year approaches. Shay Waterworth outlines exactly how much this festival means

Long and low

19 February, 2018

Liqueurs have hardly been the heroes of the drinks scene of late, but changing trends could see that turning around. Angel Brown reports

Unearthing the past

19 February, 2018

Genever has been out of the mainstream loop for so long that gin has stepped in on the classic cocktails. But Hamish Smith finds grounds for optimism

The key to Allen

19 February, 2018

Mount Gay master blender Allen Smith is a history buff whose own ancestorial history is hidden from him. He talks to Hamish Smith about his love for the past and how he came to rum

Pick of the Launches

19 February, 2018

Here is the pick of the launches from last month, as featured in Drinks International magazine February edition

Flight of reality

08 February, 2018

Drinks International ‘newbie’ Shay Waterworth recounts his experience of undertaking the WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits.

The no-low science bit

08 February, 2018

Low and no-alcohol wines were once horrible parodies of the real thing. not any more, writes Jamie Goode.

Drinks International’s annual Pre-Mixed Drinks Challenge reflected the fast pace at which this sector is growing. Shay Waterworth reports.

New shoots

08 February, 2018

Finally getting its own craft segment, vodka is taking cues from wine and championing the terroir of its base as a flavour provider. Shay Waterworth grows the theory.

India comes in from the cold

02 February, 2018

Indian whisky producers are becoming increasingly confident as drinkers recognise the spirits for their quality. now, says Dominic Roskrow, they’re set to take the next step up.

The Fixer

02 February, 2018

South African drinks company Distell has always seemed a bit of a sleeping giant. Christian Davis meets Fraser Thornton, the man tasked with changing that, certainly in Europe.

Pick of the Launches

25 January, 2018

Here is the pick of the launches from last month, as featured in Drinks International magazine January edition

Pick of the Launches

21 December, 2017

Here is the pick of the launches from last month, as featured in Drinks International magazine December edition

Life of Riley

14 December, 2017

Christian Davis meets Martin Riley, an experienced marketer who has overseen some of the most significant spirits renaissances, including those of Jameson and Chivas Regal

Natural Causes

07 December, 2017

Despite being in the grip of drought, South Africa’s wineries are continuing to create excitement with innovation, diversity and tourism. by Christian Davis

Generation Wine

07 December, 2017

Kathy Chin Leong heads to Napa to discover how millennials are interacting with wine and how wineries are capitalising on their behaviour

Feeling Blue

01 December, 2017

A shortage of the plant that’s behind all tequila means the 100% agave sector faces price and quality challenges. Shay Waterworth reports

Mixers up their game

01 December, 2017

As consumers become increasingly hooked on product provenance, premium mixers are tapping into the trend. By Tracy West

Zoe Brown, head of account management at BD Network explores how drinks brands are extending summer momentum through to winter as we head towards the festive season.

There are trends pushing the popularity of 100% agave tequilas in Europe – but at what cost to the supply of agave? And does an agave-rich tequila guarantee quality or are consumers overpaying for marketing?

Seeds of change

13 November, 2017

Ben Branson, the creator of non-alcoholic spirit seedlip talks to Hamish Smith about nature, nurture and the lure of home

Pick of the Launches

13 November, 2017

Here is the pick of the launches from last month, as featured in Drinks International magazine November edition

Well travelled

23 October, 2017

Despite worldwide challenges, it’s been an upbeat time for champagne in duty free, reports Giles Fallowfield

Angel Brown caught up with Italian Icons MD at Gruppo Campari, Andrea Neri in the Armida Rowing Club, Turin.

True Craft

30 August, 2017

With its small-scale production and insistence on traditional methods, armagnac can lay claim to truly being the original ‘craft’ spirit. Shay Waterworth visited 11 producers in gascony to find out how history is meeting modernity

On trend

30 August, 2017

Angel Brown compiles the experts’ views on what is hot and what is not in the world of bartending today

Doomsday is upon us. On August 2 this year, the human race used more resources from nature than earth can renew in a complete year. And to think the population is now 7.5bn and still increasing is terrifying. But let’s look at some positives.

Sensory perception

21 August, 2017

A new story is unfolding for vodka as country of origin gains importance. Ian Wisniewski uncovers Poland’s unique flavour profile

Pick of the Launches

14 August, 2017

Here is the pick of the launches from last month, as featured in Drinks International magazine August edition

Lauren Mote: Wordly Wise

08 August, 2017

Lauren Mote has been appointed Diageo’s first cocktailian, charged with spreading the word about cocktails to a global audience. Hamish Smith meets Canada’s finest

Singular quality

01 August, 2017

The Rioja Consejo has agreed to a single vineyard designation. Christian Davis reports

Indian summer

31 July, 2017

Despite its overall size and projected long-term growth, Indian Whisky faced difficulties last winter and this spring. Hamish Smith reports on improved prospects this summer

James Harmer of Touch packaging innovation explores the potential benefits for brands via technology-led packaging and smartphones.

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

17 July, 2017

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

10 July, 2017

In the final leg of the annual judging, seven categories were tasted in the final marathon session. Shay Waterworth reports

Connoisseur

03 July, 2017

Cono Sur is the star turn of chilean wine brands. Christian Davis meets its CEO and chief winemaker, Adolfo Hurtado

Pick of the Launches

03 July, 2017

Here is the pick of the launches from last month, as featured in Drinks International magazine July edition

Marlborough on a mission

29 June, 2017

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

28 June, 2017

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

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Comment

Ben Branson

Ben Branson on the future of non-alc spirits

In his inaugural column for Drinks International, Branson takes a wider look at the overall non-alcoholic spirits sector to identify which brands will thrive and which won’t survive.

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