Wineries produce several types of wine including white and red wine. Wine lovers distinguish red and white wines by the type of grapes used, the way the grapes are fermented and their resulting flavor.

Red wines are produced from grapes with red skin. During fermentation, additional pressing causes the grapes to release many colors and flavors. The wine ages in oak barrels for several months. This helps contribute to the full, rich, flavor of red wines. Red wine varieties include cabernet savignon, syrah, pinot noir, merlot, sangiovese and barbera.

White wines come from grapes that have mostly white skins. Unlike red wine, white wine typically ferments in oak barrels for a much shorter period of time. The result is a light, crisp and fruity flavor. The main varieties of white wine include Chardonnay, Muscat, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Gewürztraminer.

When you start a wine business, the choices in wine are extensive and your shelf space is likely limited. Keep the following things in mind to maximize your profits:

1. Wine comes in many varieties including red wines, white wines, blushes, dessert wines and sparkling wines.

2. Wine preferences vary widely between geographical regions and socio-economic statuses.

3. Wine specialty items help increase sales and give you access to customers who don't drink wine.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Appeal to more customers with a variety of wine across price ranges

Give customers many choices in wines, including red wine, white wine, blush, dessert wine, sparkling wine and local wine varieties. Stock both lower priced and higher priced wines to appeal to every customer and give yourself the opportunity to up-sale.

I recommend: Connect with wine distributors and importers at the Wine Search Online Directory. Purchase wine from wineries in your local area at the All American Wineries site.

Satisfy your customers with the wines they prefer

Learn what the customers in your area prefer with the aid of specialized point-of-sale software that tracks wine purchases.

I recommend: Choose the best point-of-sale software possible to track customers' wine sales. Compare point-of-sale systems and prices at All Things POS and Bar Code Discount.

Increase wine sales during the holiday season

Wine gifts, including standard wine baskets and organic wine baskets, are a popular choice during any holiday season. Display wine gifts on the shelves year-round, but increase their prominence during the holidays. Purchase gift items from wine gift basket wholesalers or make the gift baskets yourself.

I recommend: Connect with wine gift basket suppliers at Trade Media Holdings, Ltd. Find supplies for wine gift baskets at Mass Bar Mate Corporation.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Offer customers special promotions to increase wine sales. Market research indicates that special promotions offered through simple wine tastings increase the sales of featured wines. In addition, these promotions do not typically detract from regular wine sales.