Caitlin Miller

6 days ago | news.wine.co.za | Caitlin Miller

Many American wine professionals would argue that just about all of the wines from Australia are undervalued. Even getting U.S. consumers to buy well-known and once highly popular Shiraz can be an uphill battle. But many would also argue that the battle is well worth it. That’s certainly true of the wines from Gippsland, a large yet little-known wine region in southeast Victoria that’s home to mainland Australia’s coolest terroirs.

1 month ago | news.wine.co.za | Caitlin Miller

While many sectors of the beverage alcohol industry are struggling with declining sales, the no- and low-alcohol category continues to grow. The IWSR predicts the category will see a compound annual growth rate of more than four percent between 2024 and 2028. And while non-alcoholic wine is experiencing growth, its sales are well below more established categories like non-alcoholic beer.

2 months ago | news.wine.co.za | Caitlin Miller

When establishing a vineyard, it’s nearly impossible to make a standalone decision. Every element, from the climate to the tractor, is part of a connected system. So when it comes to vine density—that is, how closely spaced vines are from one another—the ideal choice will largely depend on a suite of other factors. At Chateau Montelena in Napa Valley, winemaker Matt Crafton has been working on two major replanting efforts over the past several years.

Mar 12, 2025 | news.wine.co.za | Caitlin Miller

There are few grape varieties as closely linked to a specific style of wine as Shiraz. For many, the only thing that separates Shiraz, as it’s dubbed in Australia, from Syrah, as it’s known in France, the U.S., and beyond, is style. The archetype of Australian Shiraz is full-bodied with jammy fruit flavors and high alcohol, while Syrah—the same exact grape—evokes a sense of nuance, balance, and freshness. Yet Shiraz—or Syrah—grown in Australia is not inherently ripe, jammy, or high in alcohol.

Sep 13, 2024 | news.wine.co.za | Caitlin Miller

This year marks the 25th anniversary of New Jersey-based Vine Street Imports, an impressive feat for a relatively small wine importer focused on off-the-beaten-track regions from Australia, South Africa, England, and beyond. And the company has managed to weather some difficult periods—the global financial crisis and the pandemic, for starters—without veering from its core philosophy.