When Vinexpo America arrived at the Miami Beach Convention Center for its first-ever Florida edition this May, the message was clear: the global wine and spirits community is rethinking where and how it connects. With 260 exhibitors from 31 producing countries, 43 nations represented, and 2,634 trade visitors, the two-day event proved that Miami is more than a playground—it’s increasingly a strategic bridge between the Americas and the rest of the world.
Florida’s star has risen steadily in the past few years. In 2024, the state broke its tourism record with over 142.9 million visitors and continues to lead the nation in population growth, according to the Florida Governor’s Office. Driven by migration from the Northeast and a rapidly expanding luxury real estate market, Miami now plays host to a global mix of investors, entrepreneurs, and epicureans—all of whom are reshaping the city’s wine and food scene.
A Taste of Vinsobres: Rhône’s Best Kept Secret
Amid the international buzz, one of the most memorable tastings focused on a quiet yet striking corner of the French wine world—Vinsobres, a Cru in the Southern Rhône AOC known for its 100% red wines. Far less commercialized than nearby Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Vinsobres represents a thoughtful blend of approachability and terroir-driven complexity.
At a Vinexpo Academy masterclass titled “The Southern Rhône’s Best Kept Secret,” guests were seated for an immersive experience led by Anna-Christina Cabrales, Tasting Director, Wine Enthusiast. In front of each glass was a curated tasting plate containing white peppercorns, olives, lavender, sea salt, and Provençal herbs—each element chosen to echo the region’s garrigue-scented terroir.
Cabrales encouraged the audience to explore the plate as they tasted, noting how the altitude, biodiversity, and limestone-rich soils of Vinsobres impart freshness, structure, and aromatic complexity to its wines.
The appellation includes:
- 36 vineyards and 6 cooperatives
- 1,375 hectares under vine
- 1,238 hectares of surrounding forestland
- 100% red wine production
Wines are predominantly blends of Grenache Noir, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, grown between 200–450 meters in elevation.
Tasting Highlights from the Seminar
Domaine Chaume Arnaude 2021 was a personal highlight. A blend of 50% Grenache Noir, 20% Syrah, 15% Cinsault, and 15% Mourvèdre, it aged 20 months in concrete vats and was beautifully enhanced by the tasting plate’s aromatic pairings. The wine showed excellent balance between tannin and acidity, with red fruit, spice, and savory herb notes.
Additional standouts included:
- Domaine Jaume 2020: A Syrah-Grenache-Mourvèdre blend aged 12 months in barrels. Sustainable vineyard management and limestone clay soils gave this wine energy and refinement.
- Domaine de Montine 2018: A blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah from 60-year-old vines at 400m. Aged 12 months, with 40% in 2- to 4-year-old barrels. Grown on limestone and rolled pebble soils, the wine is organically farmed and HVE certified since 2017.
- Domaine Saint Vincent 2017: A 50/50 blend aged in used 400L barrels, this wine from clay-limestone soils delivered smooth texture and mature spice notes.
Beyond the Seminar: Conversations That Matter
Outside the Academy programming, producer booths offered equally rich opportunities to explore. Among others, I tried a glass of the 2023 Patrimoine cuvée from Vinsobres—a 50/50 Grenache and Syrah blend.
Described by Stéphanie Aubert, Winemaker, Domaine L’Autrandine, as “a very nice balance between fruit and volume,” the wine was approachable and vibrant. While not in the collectible tier, wines like this highlight the accessibility of Cru-level Rhône expressions. This style of wine is ideal for everyday enjoyment and could easily pair with roast chicken marinated in herbes de Provence, or a cheese and charcuterie board.
These informal tastings—paired with direct conversations with the winemakers—reminded attendees that Vinexpo America is not just about luxury labels, but about connecting with terroir and talent at all levels.
Shaping the Industry: Education, Skills, and Strategy
Another major theme that emerged across the Academy sessions was the changing nature of wine education. In the seminar “Rethinking Education: Shaping the Future of the Wine Trade,”
Pauline Vicard, Executive Director, ARENI Global, emphasized that while many in the industry pursue certifications out of passion, very few connect wine education with actual career advancement. Quoting Eric Hemer, she shared the pointed remark: “You can’t just have wine geeks who have no idea how to sell anything.”
The research highlighted a clear need for programs that integrate business strategy, marketing, and communication—alongside traditional tasting and product knowledge. As producers face a more competitive, globalized market, those who understand both commerce and craftsmanship will be best positioned for success.
What Gen Z Wants: Simplicity, Purpose, and Authenticity
In a forward-looking panel hosted by Florida International University’s Chaplin School of Hospitality, Gen Z students shared candid insights about what attracts them to a wine brand—or turns them away.
“Keeping it simple is key… I think that starts with the brand taking itself a little less seriously,” said Bailey Quintero, a hospitality marketing student.
Panelists noted that while spirits marketing has evolved to embrace younger voices and social media, wine still feels overly formal and, at times, intimidating. However, educational tastings, brand ambassador sessions, and sustainability-focused messaging all help bridge the gap.
The take-home? Younger consumers want storytelling, access, and authenticity—but without the jargon.
Miami’s Real Estate and Culinary Renaissance
Wine follows wealth, and few cities illustrate that more clearly than Miami. Fueled by the post-pandemic influx of high-net-worth individuals, the city’s luxury housing market—from Brickell to Coral Gables—is booming. At the same time, Miami’s culinary sector continues to rise, with new restaurant openings drawing talent from New York, California, and Europe.
Trade infrastructure plays a major role too. With Miami International Airport and PortMiami handling billions in cargo annually, the city also serves as a vital distribution node for luxury goods—including fine wine—for the cruise sector and retail buyers throughout the Americas.
Looking Ahead: A Global Industry Recalibrates
Vinexpo America 2025’s Miami debut wasn’t simply a change of venue—it was a shift in outlook. In a world where wine is increasingly influenced by technology, taste, and trade, the event showed that the future is about more than where wine is made. It’s about where it’s shared, and with whom.
With its cultural capital, financial fluidity, and international connectivity, Miami isn’t just close to key markets—it is the gateway to the Caribbean, Latin America, and South America. And with both established and emerging luxury audiences, the city is redefining what it means to host global wine business.
To learn more about all Vinexpo events, visit the Vinexposium website.
