Shay Waterworth finds producers buoyant despite challenges.

The bitters sector is broadening out as brands incorporate new flavours and investigate low/no options.

Producers are hoping that a focus on experimenting with different grape varieties will give the spirit a boost in international markets.

With soaring investments and expanding footprints, spirits brands from across the globe are tapping into India’s vibrant market, while homegrown labels leverage innovation.

With the IAADF Summit of the Americas on the horizon, Joe Bates explores the region’s fastest-growing cruise line sector and the increasing trend of cruise exclusives.

Irish whiskey brand looks to new and growing markets as its relationship with Bacardi offers new opportunities.

Having recently attended the Nordics leg of Naked Malt’s Live Naked Bar Swap competition in Copenhagen, Drinks International caught up with global brand manager Colette Duff and master blender Marc Watson to discuss the brand’s direction.

Eleanor Yates looks into the increasing role women are playing across South Africa’s wine industry.

A move away from oak barrels to producing fresher, fruitier wines is characterising experimentation in one of Spain’s most important winemaking regions.

There’s a new string to rhum agricole’s international bow as producers hit export markets with their fruit-flavoured versions. 

While Japan’s national drink is losing consumers in its home country, its versatility is gaining it greater recognition in wider markets.

Eleanor Yates meets Australian winemaker Sue Hodder, who believes in embracing team diversity as a great strength in the industry.

While it may seem one of the most equitable sectors of the industry, women still come up against challenges, as Shay Waterworth discovers.

A spate of upscale new liquor store openings is good news for Asia duty free, but will Chinese spending return to pre-pandemic levels?

Irish whiskey looks to champion the taste profiles of its base ingredient as a way to raise category awareness.

Oli Dodd gets the lowdown on the lesser-known traditional agave spirits that could be ripe for expansion in the coming years.

Taking steps towards greater sustainability has become unavoidable across the drinks industry, with premium mixers no exception. Clinton Cawood rounds up some of the most impac­tful initiatives of recent times.

The wines of the Loire Valley are bucking international trends with their single variety diversity. Shay Waterworth visits the region.

Following the news that the famous monk-made liqueur was going to be harder to come by in quantities, several pioneers have stepped forward to carry the banner for a classic cocktail substitute.

Pernod Ricard UK managing director Julia Massies joined Shay Waterworth at Scarfes Bar in The Rosewood Hotel, London, to discuss her formative months in the role and the future.

The meteoric rise of tequila is well documented, but not all agave spirits are equal. Eleanor Yates visited El Tequileño in Jalisco to discover the challenges of making the Mexican favourite.

The all-important Chinese duty free market is showing welcome signs of recovery after a disappointing 2023.

World whiskies have been gaining attention for some time, but those from India are the ones grabbing the spotlight right now.

Tequila-maker Richard Betts talks to Oli Dodd about the passion he has for creating agave spirit that protects the land and communities that live there.

Armagnac has a long history of tradition and strict governing rules, but that hasn‘t stopped the latest producers from recognising and leaning into trends.

Shay Waterworth attends the first cava industry summit, and finds quality, innovation and leadership – but a need for agreement on a future action plan.

Frank Grillo created his Altamura vodka to showcase the flavour of the special wheat that is its base.

Troy Arquiza outlines how, as global master blender for Bacardi, he has access to a wealth of historical knowledge to help shape rum’s future. 

Oli Dodd looks at the long tradition of amaro and how bartenders the world over are modernising and expanding the category.

A growing band of rum makers are pu­tting Britain on the map – with a remit to steer the category into exciting new waters.

How will the travel retail drinks sector remember 2023? Joe Bates reviews the highs and lows of an eventful 12 months.

Tyler Zielinski discovers a whole new world of production across the continent.

A growing band of rum makers are pu­tting Britain on the map – with a remit to steer the category into exciting new waters.

Oli Dodd hears how Brugal maestra ronera Jassil Villanueva Quintana perfected a new process of aromatic cask toasting.

Eleanor Yates finds that, while it’s not without its challenges, beer globally is generating some interesting reasons for optimism.

The craft drinks movement has brought excitement and quality into the fortified, aromatised wine sector.

Italian producers don’t see California’s offerings as a threat, but Americans are embracing home-grown versions of the lemon liqueur.

Shay Waterworth dives into Norway’s aquavit pool and finds producers striking out to gain greater global recognition.

Spanish brandy is a big hitter despite a history lacking in marketing. But Shay Waterworth finds a sector that’s brimming with innovation today.

Italian wine output is dropping, but producers are finding ways to mitigate the damage caused by climate change and fungal disease in the vineyards.

St-Rémy master blender Cécile Roudaut is on a mission to modernise a well-known but misunderstood category.

As the rate of growth declines, premiumisation and cocktails take the lead in a still-healthy sector. Eleanor Yates reports.

Across the drinks world, producers are instigating regenerative and sustainable farming practices. Shay Waterworth reports on some of the vital initiatives taking place.

With more exhibitor space, buyers and landlords than ever before, last month’s TFWA World Exhibition showed an industry with renewed momentum.

His bar may have been named the World’s Best, but Sips co-owner Marc Álvarez is not languishing. He shares with Oli Dodd how he plans to keep pursuing his dreams.

At the end of 2021 Alexander Stein, founder of Monkey 47, acquired a majority stake in Société des Produits d’Armagnac from Pernod Ricard with the aim of restoring Marquis de Montesquiou to its former glory. 

Managing 11 outlets across a single estate is no mean feat, and factoring in sustainability and locality adds to the enormity of the task. Gleneagles head of bars Michele Mariotti talks Oli Dodd through the job.

Hamish Smith provides the annual analysis of how this year’s World’s 50 Best Bars list has panned out.

The whisky sector could be missing out on some fine liquids by sticking to current age regulations.

The duty free drinks sector has continued to recover and premiumise after Covid despite the slow recovery of Chinese international travel.