Got Carter
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.
London Wine Fair
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
Vinitaly preview
How organiser Veronafiere is celebrating 50 years of Vinitaly, Italy’s leading showcase dedicated to wines and spirits, on April 10-13.
Pick of the Launches
Here is the pick of the launches from last month, as featured in Drinks International Magazine April edition.
Ready for anything
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
Back up from Down Under
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.
The New Standard
Standard spirits sales are growing but small budgets mean it’s often up to the bottle to do the talking. Hamish Smith reports.
Rising to the Challenge
Joe Bates confronts some challenges facing the Americas duty free business ahead of the annual Iaddfs show.
Pick of the Launches
Here is the pick of the launches from last month, as featured in Drinks International Magazine March edition.
Jungle Juice
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 Educator
The Wine and Spirits Education Trust’s Ian Harris is a man on a mission. Disciple Christian Davis catches up with the missionary
Lowering the bar
Lower-alcohol wines are flourishing in some markets and languishing in others. Christian Davis reports
The commercialisation of craft
Craft spirits, so-called and authentic, are now ubiquitous. Hamish Smith discusses what this means for the term – and what the term actually means
Going underground
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
Super Troopers
Does super-premium really earn its stripes over the spirits segments? Holly Motion investigates
Carnival Spirit
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
The rise and rise of ryes
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….
Sweet Solutions
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
Caap fits
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
Cava fights back
Spain’s sparklers could be starting to claw their way out from under the shadow of Prosecco, reports Sarah Jane Evans MW
Time to fortify
Port is currently in good health but it needs to act now to ensure it survives warns Holly Motion
Branded but not brandy
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
Scandi Spirit
Whisky has survived choppy waters in scandinavia, and sales are holding up when compared to some other european markets. Dominic Roskrow reports
Rum’s got punch
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
David Wondrich: Wonder Man
Hamish Smith drinks in some pearls of wisdom from the cocktail world’s top historian
Just the tonic
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: Freeing the spirit
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.
South Africa wine: tipping point
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
Ethical Concept: Craft Vodka
Consumers love ‘craft’, but are producers abusing the notion? Holly Hotion investigates
Prickly subject
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: Identity Crisis
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
Champagne: Travelling in style
Travel retail is a natural window to showcase champagne to the global community, says Giles Fallowfield
Highway to Heaven
Hamish smith talks to ‘Mr Mezcal’ Ron Cooper about art, smuggling and improving life in the Zapotec villages.
Dr Bill
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
Flavoured whisky: Honey Trap?
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 wine: Red, White and Rosy
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
Liqueurs report: Packaging
Experts from design specialist Seymourpowell look at how aesthetics can drive sales
Whisky in the Eurozone
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
Rum: Join the Dark Side
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
Liqueurs report: Travel Retail
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: Changing China
Cognac’s fall from grace amid China’s anti-austerity measures looks to now be in reverse. Richard Woodard reports
Profile: Neil Hirst
Christian Davis meets Neil Hirst, design director of 3D branding for packaging design specialists Seymourpowell
Rioja: Simple success
Rioja has never had it so good, says Adam Lechmere, and its producers plan to keep it that way by upping its image
Indian whisky
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
The Vodka Report - Vodka goes vintage
Glass in hand, Fleur Disney sets off around London on a quest to track down evidence of the merging trend in exclusive vintage vodkas
The Vodka Report - Vodka in travel retail
Vodka is increasing its world coverage by taking the premium route in travel retail. Joe Bates looks at what’s on offer
The Vodka Report: The Bartender-vodka relationship
Has the habit of vodka bashing finally come to an end? Hamish Smith believes it has...
The Vodka Report - Russia and Ukraine
Production is down but Russians and Ukrainians are not necessarily drinking any less – Vladislav Vorotnikov investigates
Force of nature: Snow Leopard's Stephen Sparrow
A man called Sparrow is trying to save a cat from extinction. Christian Davis meets the Snow Leopard’s best friend
Drinking Germany
These are exciting times for German winemakers and their wines, says Andrew Catchpole