Boutique wine popularity surges after drinkers experiment during lockdown, winemakers say

Australian wine drinkers have used the COVID-19 lockdowns to experiment with alternative varieties of locally-produced wine.

Winemakers in Victoria and in South Australia’s Riverland are reporting a “dramatic increase” in demand for non-mainstream wine, especially from younger consumers.

Increasing in popularity are the Nero d’Avola, Montepulciano, and Fiano alternative varieties.

Ashley Ratcliff…