Caitlin Miller

3 weeks 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.

2 months ago | 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.

Jan 20, 2024 | news.wine.co.za | Caitlin Miller

In late 1988, Jancis Robinson, MW, was faced with a monumental task: writing the first edition of The Oxford Companion to Wine. An undoubted success, the first edition went on to become one of the Oxford University Press (OUP)'s top sellers, second only to their dictionary, and a much-needed resource for the wine industry.

Sep 18, 2023 | news.wine.co.za | Caitlin Miller

A variety of factors have stunted South African wines’ growth in the U.S. market, but professionals believe there’s no time like the present for getting to know what this country has to offer. For a select group of dialed-in wine professionals, it’s common knowledge that the South African wine industry is booming. Today, the wines aren’t just good, “the wines are some of the greatest values ever,” says Aaron Meeker, the national sales manager for Vine Street Imports in New Jersey.