Saturday, August 8, 2015

Exporting Wine to Asia, Africa, Europe can be a profitable business venture

As the population becomes more affluent, the demand for wine in  Asia continues to rise dramatically. Although wine is not a traditional beverage, China's consumers are increasingly open to new tastes and experiences from other parts of the world. Coupled with a thriving domestic wine imports have contributed to China's rising wine consumption and have become increasingly profitable. However, importing and exporting wine to China requires adhering to certain regulationsThe wine business is a $26 billion industry that is growing every minute, with people’s craving for a combination of good food and good wine. The California wine in Asia market is dramatically growing and this is noticeable in the demographics of young upper class Asian.

The total U.S. wine exports, 90% from California, hit a record $1.39 billion in 2011, up 22% compared to the previous year.  Hong Kong remained California's third largest export market by value after the European Union and Canada, and revenues reached $163 million, up 39%. Exports to Japan were up 39% to $105 million; China had 42% growth with $62 million; Vietnam was up 266% to $21 million and South Korea was up 13% to $13 million.

It is a time to be involved with wine import and export business, as the industry is profitable directions.  Before one starts, one should make sure you know the wine importers and exporters basics that are essential to the success of your business.

Friday, July 10, 2015

Are French Wines the Best?


Sweeping  general statements are usually  incorrect. Certainly French wines have the history and image of being the world's finest.   There's no doubt that many of the best wines in the world are French. Which does not mean that all French wines are topnotch. In fact, there are many mediocre French wines and many outstanding wines from other countries, including the US, Italy, Spain, Germany, Australia and South Africa. The fact therefore remains that people "raised" on the wines of a certain country take the style of that country's wines as the standard of comparison and all other wines suffer  by comparison. For example, people raised on French wines often find American wines too soft and too fruity. That is because growing conditions in America are generally sunnier and warmer than in France. The grapes get riper and lower in acid and the wines reflect that difference. In addition, California wine makers tend to use oak to a greater extent than the French do, so 

Friday, June 12, 2015

Does the American 3-tier distribution system need an overhaul?


The three-tier system of alcohol distribution is the system for distributing alcoholic beverages set up in the United States after the repeal of Prohibition.[1] The three tiers are producers, distributors, and retailers. The basic structure of the system is that producers can sell their products only to wholesale distributors who then sell to retailers, and only retailers may sell to consumers. Producers include brewers, wine makers, distillers and importers.
Some states chose to become alcoholic beverage control jurisdictions after Prohibition. In these states, part or all of the distribution tier, and sometimes also the retailing tier, are operated by the state government itself (or by contractors operating under its authority) rather than by independent private entities.
The only state with a privately operated retailing and distribution system that does not require any form of three-tier system is the State of Washington. In Washington, retailers may purchase alcoholic beverages directly from producers, may negotiate volume discounts, and may warehouse their inventory themselves. However, the three-tier system remains a de facto reality in Washington despite the law.[2]

There are two contradictory camps to maintain the wholesalers vs. those who want them bypassed. The former options has more merits and the 3-tier system is here to stay

Friday, May 8, 2015

Wine exports/wholesale regulations


Wine Exportation Information Resources
Wine Wholesaler Information Resources
  • Applying for a Permit - If you plan to purchase and sell alcohol at wholesale, you must first obtain a Basic Permit from TTB.
  • Alcohol Wholesaler Application Packet - Wholesalers (WHL), businesses which sell beverage alcohol products at wholesale to other wholesalers or retailers must first obtain a Wholesaler's Basic Permit. Producers or manufacturers of beverage alcohol products need to apply for a Wholesaler's Basic Permit only if they intend to sell beverage alcohol products which they did not produce or manufacture.
Wholesaler/Importer (Alcohol): Businesses which require a Basic Permit for Importing (to import and distribute foreign beverage alcohol) and Wholesaling (to distribute at wholesale, domestic beverage alcohol) from the same location may reduce the required paperwork by combining the applications.

Friday, January 30, 2015

Largest Global Wine Reference Directory:Cellar-full of Resources..(scroll all the way down)

Largest Wine reference directory on worldwide reference resources here:

In Partnership with AOL Search
  

See also:
This category in other languages:

  • 1-800-WineShop - A California source for wine, gift items and accessories. Also offering a wine club and gourmet foods.
  • 1855 - Located in France, offering wines and champagne from throughout the world. Includes news and latest releases, with site offered in English and French.
  • 67 Wine & Spirits - Offers choices from throughout the world. Includes recipes, recommendations from experts, and a gift registry.
  • AZ Wine Company - Offers a selection of wines. USA.
  • All Holy Land Wines - Offering the products of the Binyamina Winery, worldwide. Also gives a brief description of Kosher wine and Israeli wine regions.
  • B-21 Wine and Spirits - Offers a buyer's guide, a catalog of featured wines, and a database of wineries. Shipping within the US.
  • Barrels and Bottles Fine Wine Merchants - Provides selections from small boutique producers around the world. Export worldwide.
  • Bedford Wine Merchants - Specializing in rare and limited production wines from America, Burgundy, Bordeaux, Italy, Spain, Australia, and other fine wine growing regions.
  • Beekman Liquors - Specialists in Bordeaux, single malt Scotch whiskies, ports, California wines and other liquors.
  • Benson Fine Wines - Specializing in rare and fine wines, mainly from private cellars dating back to the last century.
  • Berry Bros. and Rudd - Providing a wide range of wines for delivery worldwide.
  • Boulder Wine Merchant - Colorado retailer offers a variety of selections and accessories plus a 101 primer.
  • Bounty Hunter - Locate hard to find wines through this Napa Valley retailer. Includes information and a catalog with descriptions.
  • Caro Wines - A large range of local and imported wine from France, Australia, Italy, Germany and Spain.
  • Casa del Vino - Offering a selection of particular vintages and appellations.
  • Chambers Street Wines - Offering a wide variety of International wines and spirits, plus related accessories.
  • Champagne Gifts - Wines in gift presentation with message cards to homes and offices worldwide. Choose from Dom Perignon, Moet and Chandon, Cristal, Veuve Clicquot, and Perrier-Jouet.
  • Cloudwine - Specialising in rare and cult Australian and New Zealand wines. Worldwide delivery.
  • Corkscrew Wine Emporium - US retailer offers wines from around the world, along with gifts. A wine of the month club and newsletter are also featured.
  • Creative Flavours Fragrance - On-line purchases from this Singapore merchant.
  • Cuvee Cellars - Retailer specializing in wines with small production.
  • D and M Wine and Liquor - Champagne specialist in San Francisco also offers wine, whisky and brandy. Shipping available in the US.
  • Delicasa.com - Based in the Netherlands, specializes in fine wines from Italy, France and Spain. Shipping worldwide.
  • Deprez Wines - Focuses on value-priced wines. Ships within the United States. Croton-on-Hudson, New York.
  • Discount Wines - A wine cellar with many limited release and discounted products. Information, tasting notes and wine club.
  • Domain G. Kokotos - A producer of Greek wines in the region of Attiki. Offers winery information, and world wide shipping.
  • DrinkBetterWine.com - Wine choices are searchable by type, price, country or rating. Also offers gift baskets and monthly or quarterly wine clubs.
  • Esquin Cyber Cellars - Offering wine from California, the Northwest, Europe, Spain, South America, Australia and New Zealand.
  • Eton Vintners - Offers a selection of wines, Sherry, Port, Armagnac, Cognac, also whiskey, cigars, gift hampers, boxes, and baskets.
  • FineWineHouse - Provides a large selection of wines, spirits, glassware and accessories.
  • Flickinger Wines - Specializes in fine and rare wines from Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone, Port, Australia, California, Italy, and Spain.
  • Garnet Wines and Liquors - A full service wine and spirit shop. Wines listed by region, brands, and wineries. Ships to 38 U.S. states.
  • Gauntleys of Nottingham - Specialises in fine and rare wines from the Rhone, Alsace, Burgundy, Loire, Spain and Italy. British based site, ships in Europe.
  • Gentile's The Wine Sellers - A specialty wine shop located in Columbus, Ohio. Featuring wine events, a newsletter and a wine club.
  • Global Wines - Selected wines from Italy, France, and California plus related accessories and books. Worldwide delivery.
  • Golden West International - Wines from around the world including a selection of vintage champagne, vintage port, California reds and Bordeaux.
  • Gotham Wines - Wines from all over the world available, plus single malts and vodka.
  • Grape Tray Wine Guide - Wines from the Grape Tray store in Fresno, California.
  • Grapes - Connecticut-based shop offering wine from around the world. Advisors offering wine tasting events in Connecticut.
  • Guy du Vin - International wines with a focus on artisan producers and rare wines. Provides descriptions with humorous commentaries.
  • Hailsham Cellars - Supplying retail and wholesale purchase of wines from around the world. Ships world wide.
  • Hennessy's Wines and Spirits - Selections include a large offering of international label wines, specialty foods, cigars, gift baskets, and a monthly wine club. Ships world wide.
  • Hi-Time Wine Cellars - Retail wine cellar specializing in California, French and world wines, spirits, beers, cigars.
  • HoneyRun Winery and Honey - Kosher fruit honeywine without sulfites or preservatives; natural raw unfiltered honey and certified organic wine and honey.
  • Internet Wines and Spirits - Offers a wide selection of wines, spirits and cigars, as well as gifts and accessories.
  • Izowine.com - Wines from around the world, shipped in USA. Includes tasting notes.
  • John Hart Fine Wine - Fine and rare wine merchant in Chicago, US since 1973. Site features a searchable international database that is updated regularly.
  • Joli Vin - Importers and sellers of handcrafted wines from Italy and Europe.
  • K and L Wine Merchants - Named as one of the US's top 10 wine retailers by the Wine Spectator.
  • La treille d'or - Sells a variety of wines, liquors, porto and cognac.
  • Lake Forest Wines - Includes champagne, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, French wines and Ports Magnums.
  • Lay and Wheeler - Wine merchants shipping a selection of table, fortified and sparkling wines around the world. Includes a search feature.
  • Le Petit Vendome - An online retail wine shop with a selection of domestic and imported wines. Also spirits and Port. Shipping within the US.
  • Liquorama - Offers a wide selection of wines, rare and older vintage, accessories and aperitifs.
  • MacArthur Beverages - Providing a large selection of French, Italian and US wines. Includes a catalog for browsing.
  • MadWine - A retailer specializing in the delivery of wines and other beverages. Includes northwest, California, and International selections.
  • Mandell's Liquor and Wine Shop - Selling boutique, hard-to-find, vintage wines, including Cabernet, Pinot Noir, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Chardonnay, Port and others.
  • Michael Morgan - Supplier of fine wines. UK.
  • Morrell and Co. - New York-based shop offers wines and related accessories, as well as Bordeaux futures.
  • Napole - Specialized in Portuguese wines, ports and Madeiras.
  • Nicholas Roberts Ltd. - Merchant specializing in Italian, Bordeaux and California wines. Offers monthly wine club and other gift ideas.
  • PRP Wine International - Offering a wide variety of wines. Includes information on tastings, exhibitions, and personalized labels.
  • Paradise Wines - Specializing in wines produced by small family winemakers. Also accessories and gift baskets are available.
  • Pop's Wine and Spirits - A large selection of fine and rare wines from this US retailer, plus related features.
  • Portwine.com - Specializes in Port, and also offers other Portuguese bottlings. Also provides information about Port, including the history, vinification, types, grapes, and institutes.
  • Prime Wine - A worldwide selection. Also offers wine resources and a newsletter.
  • Punt - Specializing in small production California wines as well as vintage French wines.
  • Rare-wine.com - Searchable database of specialties from many countries, including older French vintages. Shipping from Germany to around the world.
  • Regional Wines and Spirits - Wines, malt whiskies and boutique brews from around the world. Sales outside New Zealand by arrangement.
  • Reserve Wine Cellars.com - Specializing in rare, hard-to-find wines, searchable by region and type. Shipping within the US; international shipments by arrangement.
  • Roscoff's Wine Seller - Offering wines bought direct from producers. UK.
  • Rouge et Blanc - European retailer of mainly French wines and champagnes.
  • Saratoga Wine Exchange - Sells a large selection of wine, liquors and champagne, gifts and glassware.
  • Scenic Cellars - Sells a range of wines, with a focus on New Zealand and Australia. Based in Taupo, New Zealand.
  • Seaboard Wine Warehouse - North Carolina, US retailer offering unique wines from different regions and knowledgeable service.
  • Seckford Wines - A well established UK wine dealer shipping around the world.
  • Sherry-Lehmann - Providing a large variety of wines. Search by color, country, style, vintage, appellation, and price. Also offers accessories and gift baskets. Shipping within continental USA.
  • Solano Cellars - Offering limited production reds from small California wineries plus wines from France, Italy, and Spain.
  • Sterling Cellars - Fine and rare wine, spirits, and cigars. Also offers monthly wine club.
  • Stirling Fine Wine - Offering a selection of wines as well as related gifts and accessories.
  • SuburbanWines - New York retailer offers standard and rare selections from countries around the world.
  • T and W Wines - Offers a large variety of International wines, plus in-depth information on producers and grape varieties. Also offers some half bottles plus a selection of spirits.
  • Table and Vine - New England, US wine and spirit merchant with a large selection. Also offers beers, cheeses and gourmet grocery items.
  • Taylor and Norton Wine Merchants - A recognized worldwide source for fine and rare wines.
  • The Antique Wine Company - Specializing in a variety of labels and vintages, from throughout the world, as well as gift items. Includes information on storage.
  • The Wine Buff - Sells a variety of France, Spain and Italy wines.
  • The Wine Buyer - Featuring a selection of red, white and regional wines, and accessories. Provides information about tasting, terms and recommended foods.
  • The Wine Chateau - A US retail site for wine, cigars and gift baskets in addition to custom-built wine cellars.
  • The Wine Club - California retail source for premium wine with a wide selection. Also offering a newsletter and wine of the month.
  • The Wine Connection - Premium and rare labels, domestic and imported.
  • The Wine Country - Features California and small producer wines from around the world. Specialists in holiday gift baskets with wine.
  • The Wine Room - Offers many types of wines, including hard to find and rare bottles from all regions of the world; also offers online newsletter. Based in California.
  • Tordoff Wines and Hampers - An assortment of wines, food and drink hampers, and individually designed gifts to chose from.
  • Touring and Tasting - Wine and travel magazine that also offers a wine shop and produces festivals.
  • Unique Wine Company - Washington State wine distributor with products from around the world.
  • Vini Portugal - Selling Portuguese red, white, sparkling and port wines.
  • Vino-web - A comprehensive selection of wines from Italy, Chili, South Africa, and France. A newsletter is also available.
  • Vintage Direct - Offering a wide selection of wines with tasting notes provided on both Australian and International varieties, plus other related information.
  • Vintage Marketing - Diamond-etched and hand painted wine bottles. Includes wine list and design samples.
  • Vintage Wine and Spirits - Specializing in hard to find California wines.
  • Vintners Selection - Wine by the case from select vineyards and wine estates around the world.
  • Wine Exchange - Retail sales of wines, specialty beers and spirits. Wine club, newsletter and classes in wine.
  • Wine Library - US on-line retailer offering wines, accessories, beers and spirits.
  • Wine and Co. - Offering Bordeaux, Champagne, Burgundy, and other wines as well as a selection of spirits including Calvados, Cognac and Whisky.
  • Wine-Cask Cellars - This Massachusetts-based retailer offers red, rose, white, sparkling and dessert wines as well as wine-related gift items and accessories.
  • Wine.com - A retailer offering a large selection of domestic and imported wines. Also a searchable database.
  • WineAccess - Central shopping portal of a number of US wine merchants with search feature, message boards, personal wine portfolio and wine recommendations. Shipping within the US.
  • WineBuys - Featuring red and white wine, accessories, wine samplers, gift ideas, and educational information about wine. US delivery.
  • WineGlobe.com - Carries an extensive wine inventory, complete with descriptions and pictures.
  • WineStars - Specializes in offerings from small wineries and limited releases. Also wine accessories and gourmet foods.
  • WineTip.com - Online exchange to buy and sell European wines en primeur, providing an open market.
  • Winemonger - USA distributor and importer of Austrian wines and glassware. Can be searched by region, winery or grape type.
  • Winepalate.com - Offers a range of wines from around the world, wine club and a monthly newsletter.
  • Wooden Wine Box Company - Sells wine, champagne and port in wooden presentation boxes as personal and corporate gifts.
  • Young's - Specializing in a wide range of fine wines and spirits. Gift baskets are also available.
  • Zachys Wine Online - Large selection of wines. Also featuring accessories, auctions and events.
  • Zelas Ltd. - Offers wines from Europe and the New World, as well as some spirits, chocolates, and wine region maps. They also have a brick-and-mortar shop in London, UK.
  • eSake.com - Resource for knowledge and sales of premium Japanese sake, delivered in USA and Japan.
  • inter-wein.de - Wines from South America, the US, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Spain. Features news, a search engine and list of wineries.