Many bars suffer because of bad design. Specialist Simon Knowles takes us through our paces.

There are approximately 377 indigenous grape varieties in Italy. Diverse doesn’t cover half of it. Christian Davis reports

Patience Gould checks out the latest state of play in the blended Scotch whisky world – and finds much cause for optimism

Spirit of the Vikings

02 May, 2013

Hamish Smith unearths the past of Chivas and Royal Salute with master blender Colin Scott and finds a history steeped in Scotch

White Rum: White Noise

10 April, 2013

Hamish Smith investigates the evolution and future trajectory of white rum

Whisky Cocktails

04 March, 2013

Patience Gould takes a look at how mixologists are making Scotch whisky the very heart of a cocktail

Profile: Beltran Domecq

07 February, 2013

With a name like Beltran Domecq, you know this man has sherry in his veins. Christian Davis meets the new head of the Sherry Institute

There is increasing awareness and demand for low and lower-alcohol wines. Christian Davis checks on who’s doing what

Syrups: Keeping it Simple

06 February, 2013

Lucy Britner delves into the world of sugar syrups – and finds there’s more to them than meets the eye

Cachaça: Critical Mass

06 February, 2013

Now that cachaça has legal status in the States, it’s bound to start moving in countries other than its homeland. But for now, Brazil remains the focal point. Hamish Smith reports

Profile: Neil McGuigan

15 January, 2013

McGuigan Wines has just been acclaimed World’s Best Winemaker for an unprecedented third time. Christian Davis talks to the man who makes it all happen

The bubbles may not be overflowing for prosecco and cava, but Lucy Britner finds the duo weathering the financial storms of their respective countries

For a while a few years ago Japanese whisky was the drinks industry success story. Then it all went a little quiet. Dominic Roskrow investigates what happened to it

Bitters

08 January, 2013

Bitters are making a huge comeback worldwide as innovative brands and classic cocktails push them into the limelight. Patience Gould reviews the category

Profile: Ron Jeremy

07 January, 2013

Porn star Ron Jeremy gets the bar call for a rum which bears his name. Hamish Smith meets the actor as his promotional roadshow rolls into London

Pre-mixed drinks

21 December, 2012

Consumers are starting to really embrace the convenience of a pre-mixed drink in a portable format. Hamish Smith reports

Tuscany

21 December, 2012

With classic regions and the famous Super-Tuscan wines, exports are Tuscany’s life blood. Christian Davis reports

Cognac

21 December, 2012

With age statements and innovation grabbing attention worldwide, Cognac sales are booming. But can it keep up with global demand? Gavin D Smith reports 

Malt whisky

21 December, 2012

Is age growing old when it comes to single malts? Lucy Britner finds producers are looking beyond the traditional

Argentinian Wine

10 December, 2012

Malbec is the undisputed jewel in the country’s wine crown. But is it under too much pressure? Christian Davis checks out the other possible contenders

Gin

10 December, 2012

Patience Gould looks at gin’s re-emergence in the world of mixology and finds no end of potential in its variety

Profile: Danny DeVito

10 December, 2012

Hamish Smith tracks the career of Hollywood superstar Danny DeVito to the launch of his beloved limoncello brand

Gift packaging

10 December, 2012

Hamish Smith ponders the enigmatic link between product and consumer

Vodka in the US

10 December, 2012

Lucy Britner finds vodka is still sweet on flavour in the US market. Here she uncovers some of the more unusual varieties

Social media

09 November, 2012

David Bond, partner and head of the advertising & marketing group at Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP looks at the legal minefield of Facebook and Twitter

Cream liqueurs

09 November, 2012

An unfamiliar face has designs on the cream liqueurs crown. Lucy Britner flings the saloon doors open on the sector

American whiskey

09 November, 2012

American whiskey has been undergoing a quiet revolution. Now the new wave of distillers, led by bourbon’s Kentucky heartland, is set to go global. Dominic Roskrow reports

Sparkling wine

01 November, 2012

Susanne Stauß takes a closer look at the global sparkling wine market

Market research exists in the short term, but reviewing past research projects can uncover trends relevant to the future, says Bryan Urbick of Consumer Knowledge Centre.

Cocktail special

29 October, 2012

Lucy Britner probes cocktail experts on how to track trends and succeed in competitions

Profile: Mikaël Silvestre

29 October, 2012

World Cup finalist, UEFA Champions League, FA and League Cup winner… and now rum brand owner. Christian Davis tackles French international footballer Mikaël Silvestre

Vodka

29 October, 2012

Vodka can be all things to all people. Christian Davis reports on the premiumisation of the most global of spirits

Tequila

29 October, 2012

Popularity comes with a price for the agave plant. Lucy Britner puts tequila under the microscope

Portuguese wine

29 October, 2012

Portugal has no shortage of great wines to offer the world, but its challenge lies in communicating the message. Hamish Smith reports

The 2012 vintage is down more than 20% in places, but the Kiwis are happy to try to strike a balance between demand and supply. Christian Davis reports

The rum diary

01 October, 2012

Hamish Smith unravels the complex politics of a diverse spirit

Joe Bates talks to global brand director James Slack about Chivas Regal’s biggest duty free exclusive launch in the brand’s history

Liqueurs

28 September, 2012

ISC judge and distiller Patrick van Zuidam looks at how liqueurs will be flavouring the next decade

Rioja

28 September, 2012

Lucy Britner finds Spain’s best-known wine region is flying the flag for its country with exports up and investment sound

Eastern promise

18 September, 2012

With ProWein 2013 in mind, Thomas Brandl finds out how winemakers in central and south-eastern Europe have made efforts to modernise and become more competitive.

Profile: Tony Conigliaro

12 September, 2012

Described by some as the Heston Blumenthal of drinks, Tony C has under his care 69 Colebrooke Row and Zetter Townhouse. Lucy Britner caught up with him at his Drink Factory

Champagne

12 September, 2012

Despite reports of champagne’s struggle to keep cases sales up, Lucy Britner finds that the world has far from fallen out of love with France’s famous export

Closures

12 September, 2012

Christian Davis looks at the latest developments in the great debate over cork versus synthetics

Rum cocktails

12 September, 2012

Lucy Britner mixes with the best

Cider

12 September, 2012

Cider – and its many variants – continues to capture the imaginations of consumers. But does it have worldwide appeal? Hamish Smith gets to the core of the issue

Armagnac

14 August, 2012

Armagnac is arguably the closest spirit to wine in terms of provenance, raw materials and the outlook of the growers, producers and brand owners. Christian Davis reports

Gin

14 August, 2012

Gin is trading on the complexities of its flavour profile to cash in on the cocktail boom. Patience Gould finds a booming super-premium sector

Irish whiskey

14 August, 2012

With Irish whiskey proving a global smash, Hamish Smith looks into the growth plans of the big four players

Tequila cocktails

30 July, 2012

Lucy Britner on livening up tequila

Chilean wine

30 July, 2012

Despite a strong peso, consumers are prepared to pay the price for quality Chilean wine. Christian Davis reports

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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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