The retiring panel gave a thumbs up to the industry for its new ideas and ambitious projects, although designer Graham Shearsby maintains the weakest link was design. For the changeover, sector diversity has prompted the creation for the first time of two panels. This will provide the experts with the opportunity to focus on specific sectors. One will concentrate on the traditional end while the other will look at the more groundbreaking drinks such as premium packaged spirits and off-the-wall wines. Sally Easton Master of wine and wine buyer for Berry Brothers and Rudd: It has been my pleasure (sometimes) and edification (certainly) to review about 50 products for this illustrious (widely read) column. My training as an MW means I should be able to put aside personal view and assess objectively any given product. This might draw a question over the qualitative state of the drinks industry. However as in most industries taste and fashion seldom coincide and "alcopops" are one of the fastest growing categories in the alcoholic beverages industry and spirits one of the slowest. One thing is certain, with such a wide choice of products and dynamic new product research, it augurs well for the future of our industry . Graham Shearsby, Board creative director, graphics at Design Bridge: How I will miss the weekly mystery package from the guys at The Grocer. Oh, the anticipation, the suspense and the inevitable disappointment of another bizarrely coloured PPS! The memory of that elusive frisson of excitement, the satisfaction of a half-decent, well designed pack actually turning up! My overwhelming feeling, when looking back over the products we have reviewed over the last 12 months, is sadly how little time and energy has been invested in design. I know I may have been quite harsh on some of the products presented for review, but it is such a competitive busy market out there. There really is no room for complacent ideas or sloppy copycats. Distinctive, memorable design is clearly very effective and can bring in fantastic rewards. The clear winners in each category have at least, to a greater or lesser degree embraced this philosophy. So farewell and be brave! Steve Mayes, trading controller at Landmark: The sheer diversity of products we have tasted ­ from stunningly gorgeous and well marketed to absolutely vile and ill conceived ­ is a great indication of a thriving market. We could do with some more quality innovation like that coming from Wychwood, Bateman's and Beverage Brands. The star of the show was Dooleys Toffee Liqueur from United Brands which offered a fantastic product in stunning packaging that is already selling extremely well. The Pencil Pine Chambourcin was another memorable product. Kendall Jackson will also do well ­ good liquids, good packaging, good support, it ain't rocket science. On the downside, there are still far too many examples of scabby me-too FABs, wines with no distinct USP and clueless wine suppliers with absolutely no idea how to develop and sustain a strategy suitable for all trade channels. That said, it is wines and FABs driving the total alcohol market at the moment. Welcome to the new teams: the 'traditional' panel The expert: Phil Tuck MW and wine director of Hatch Mansfield Phil Tuck entered the wine trade directly from university in 1986. He spent his formative years with Avery's of Bristol before embarking on a series of winemaking jobs in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, California, Chile and Tuscany. On his return to the UK in 1994 he joined Hatch Mansfield where he is now wine director. He passed his Master of Wine exams in 1999. The agency: Gary McCall Managing director of Poulter Partners After a few years on the client side with Coral Bookmakers and Bass, Gary moved to Poulter Partners, a marketing communications agency where he started a sales promotion consultancy. He is now md responsible for development across all specialist services ­ advertising, sales promotion, direct marketing, design, PR, new media and brand consultancy. His clients have included Britvic and Bass. The buyer: Carol Du Cann Senior buyer (beers, wines and spirits), Alldays Carol was appointed to the position of senior buyer for liquor at convenience store operator, Alldays, over a year ago. Before this she worked at Europa Foods, as beer, wine and spirits buyer and at Victoria Wine in a similar capacity. Carol holds the Wine and Spirit Education Trust Diploma and is now responsible for driving the liquor category forward at Alldays by revamping range, pricing and display policies in line with market trends. The 'groundbreakers' panel: The expert: Jane Brocket MW and freelance wine consultant Jane Brocket MW is a freelance wine consultant with extensive experience in the industry. She is a director of the Institute of Masters of Wine and has been an MW tutor and lecturer since 1992. She began her drinks industry career with IDV as brand manager for Malibu and moved on to Seagram as its brand manager for its champagnes and wines. She passed her MW exam at the first attempt and won the Tim Derouet Award for top student. The agency: Simon Massey Marketing director and design director of Nine Yards Simon has been a branding consultant for many years, working for agencies such as Aegis and BDB. Six years ago he broke away with another director to form Nine Yards. Simon has extensive experience in branding, npd and design, working on everything from alcohol and confectionery, to retail and music festivals. With a passion for design and certainly for alcohol, though not always at the same time, Simon is embarking on the tasting panel with expertise, vigour and a smile. The buyer: Steve Mayes Trading Controller at Landmark Mayes has proved his ability to sort the wheat from the chaff through his role on the Taste Panel and has agreed to come back for more. He has made use of his extensive experience as a buyer. In his current role he finds and markets all Landmark's own label beers, wines, ciders, spirits and cigarettes. Within Landmark, which he joined in 1988, he has bought across all sectors, retail and catering, foods and non foods. He has worked in sales for Cadbury Typhoo. {{MARKETING - DRINKS }}