With the culture of wine erupting in popularity, wine importers and exporters have to stay competitive. Largely influenced by rising and falling trends, it is important for US wine distributors to keep up to date with wine importers and exporters news and trends to see what is currently popular, and to predict what will be the next big thing.

There is a wide range of factors which can influence the industry of exporting and importing wine. Here are a few to consider:

1. An occurrence in the media. When the movie "Sideways" belittled merlots, popularity for this variety dropped, while prices for pinot noirs skyrocketed.

2. Shifts in weather and natural phenomenon. A late frost can make certain grape varietals scarcer, and more expensive. As a wine importing business, you must also be aware of advances in organic growing techniques, and biodynamic wines.

3. Changes in supplies. Currently, the debate is over corked bottles versus screwtops, and as a wine import business, you must know what is popular.

To be aware of these trends, and to predict new changes in the market, find a solid base of resources to keep you informed as a wine importer, wine exporter, or distributor.

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

Research past statistics of wine imports and exports

By looking at the numbers of previous years, you can see what patterns the import export wine industry has followed, and which ones may continue in the future.

I recommend: The United States Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service's site on wine and beer is a no-frills chart that gives you the basic statistics on beer and wine exporters and importers from past years. As a US wine distributor, The Wine Institute's website may be pertinent, as it focuses on California wines, though does include world statistics. It offers articles on past years' trends, as well as easy-to-read tables and charts.

Keep up-to-date with the wine importing business in current news

By keeping a close eye on news-worthy happenings in wine importing, exporting and distribution, you can be aware of factors that may alter trends, and affect the market.

I recommend: The Wine News Review website compiles articles on all aspects of wine culture, including a "buzz" section, which traces wine-related chatter on the web. A simpler, more concentrated website is Classic Wines, which produces a weekly column highlighting the most important trends in wine.

Predict future trends in the wine import and wine export business

It's obviously impossible to predict the future, but market forecasts can give remarkably accurate predictions, and take out a lot of the guessing.

I recommend: General forecasts are difficult to find, most are specified for a target area. PRLog gives forecast information for a nice range of wine producing locations. Some of their articles summarize the research findings, and also give you links to the actual research material for purchase. Serious About Wine gives you a lot of general information, plus there's a blog by Mike Carter, where he talks about market insights of the industry.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Develop a network with other wine exporters and importers. Keeping a dialogue going with others in the industry can give you a first hand account of what's going on with wine importers and exporters news and trends.

Wine importers and exporters put people in touch with the wines of the world, importing wine for US consumption and developing new markets for the products of US vineyards. It's a business on the upswing, with US per capita wine consumption hitting a new high of 3.02 gallons per capita in 2007, and both the wine importing sector and sales of US export wines setting new records.

The US import-export wine universe includes winemakers, wine import companies, wine exporters and US wine distributors. Wine importers and exporters know that this is also a business in which the consumer—whether it's the individual wine enthusiast, the retailer or the restaurant wine buyer—plays a passionate role. If you have a stake in the wine world, use Internet resources to:

1. Network with wine importers and exporters and get up-to-date industry information and professional resources.

2. Establish relationships with US wine importers and US wine distributors to find the best wine imports—which represent 35% of US wine consumption—for restaurant or retail.

3. Join regional coalitions to maximize the marketing power of US wine exporters, expected to soar as new markets like China make the most of a favorable dollar exchange rate.

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

Network with wine importers and wine exporters

Whether you're in the wine import business or exporting wine yourself, or interested in connecting with US wine distributors for your restaurant or beverage retail business, take advantage of trade associations and business networks to get import-export wine leads.

I recommend: The International Beverage Network (IBN) links to global producers and distributors of wine and spirits in its IBN World Directory. You can also register your company to be listed in the IBN World Directory for free. Global Wine and Spirits calls itself "the eBusiness Network for Wine Professionals"; explore membership levels. WineMarketer.com is devoted to online wine marketing; sign up for access to forums, a newsletter, wine industry stats and links.

Savor classic European favorites from wine import companies

Get the best of the best when you deal with US wine importers who specialize in the great winegrowing regions of France, Italy and Germany. Look for a wine importer with insider contacts to help you acquire great bottles and boutique vintages for your restaurant or wine shop.

I recommend: Maisons Marques & Domains, Inc. (MMD) originated as the US importer of the famed French Champagne Louis Roederer. Now they also represent family-owned, prestigious vineyards in Bordeaux and other French regions; check their list of distributors by state. Winebow, Inc. imports wines from around the world, but founder and CEO Leonardo LoCascio's heart is in the vineyards of Italy's Tuscany and Piedmont regions. Visit the GermanWineEstates website for a listing of US wine distributors specializing in ever-popular German wines.

Go farther afield for wine imports from new global producers

Winegrowing regions outside of Europe are gaining in US popularity. Offer your customers a taste of the wider wine world with selections from US wine importers representing growing global producers.

I recommend: Global Vineyard Wine Importers specializes in the world-class wines of Chile and Argentina. Turn to wine importer TGIC Importers, Inc. for wines from Down Under; they carry wines from Australia and New Zealand, among other international regions. Confluence Wine Importers concentrates its wine importing business on the wines of South Africa.

Join a coalition to get help exporting wine

US winemakers essentially run their own wine export business, regulated by the US Department of Agriculture as well as international trade agreements. Join a regional wine marketing group to pool resources when you want to export wines.

I recommend: The Wine Institute of CA oversees the California Wine Export Program. Winemakers in WA, OR and ID can get an export boost from participation in The Northwest Wine Coalition. Learn about the New York Wine & Grape Foundation's wine export program at the Uncork New York! website.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Watch industry calendars for local wine events, at which you can sample the wares of US wine importers and exporters or feature your own wine importing business.

It is a very exciting time to be involved with wine importers and exporters, as the industry is branching off in new, profitable directions. Before you start, make sure you know the wine importers and exporters basics that are essential to the success of your business.

There are three main facets to the wine industry: wine importers, wine exporters and wine makers. Each segment has unique issues to be aware of, as well as some in common:

1. A proper license is required no matter where your wine import business is based. There are many options and levels of licensing, depending on whether you are a wine importer, exporter, or wine maker.

2. Your specific state and country have strict legal requirements for wine import companies. You can hire professional help, or read up on the regulations yourself to make sure you conform.

3. Stay tuned to market trends in wine imports and exports. Retailer's demand for wine will heavily affect the need for importing wine, exporting wine and wine making.

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

Research licensing options for US wine distributors

There are many different ways to acquire sufficient licensing. First you need to know which license you need for where your wine export or import business is located.

I recommend: For US wine distributors, look up the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. This is the site for California. They have a "license query system" that allows you to find out the exact information you need. Each state has its own website. Also look up your city's business license office. Each US city has its own website, as in this one for San Francisco.

Learn wine importing business laws

US wine importers have an especially difficult task staying within legal boundaries. Find capable legal help, or if you feel confident, familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations for your wine importing business.

I recommend: Once again, each state has its own specifics, but the federal government provides nationwide information on its Alcohol Beverage Control Board's website. This is an essential resource to starting an import export wine business. You should also review your state's laws online, like California's department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

Make friends with other US wine distributors

Keeping contact with other wine-related businesses is essential, as it keeps you informed, and may create more selling or buying opportunities.

I recommend: The best way to find other distributors is to join an online network. The International Beverage Network is a comprehensive database, where you can find businesses involved in all aspects of wine importing and exporting. The best part is that this network is global, so you can find companies from all countries. Another international database is Global Wine and Spirits. This website categorizes different aspects of the business, such as wine and spirits sellers, and you can search by topic.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  To avoid start-up licensing hassles, consider buying a property that was previously used as a wine import business.

United States wine importers must comply with a number of regulations to participate in this practice. To import wines into the United States, a vintner must obtain certification from the federal government. Exporters also have their own set of rules. To export wine, a vintner is required to comply with labeling standards from the Food and Drug Administration as well as the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax Trade Bureau. These standards help to identify the origins of the wine and any allergy information available.

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

Certificates of label approval (COLAs)

A certificate of label approval is a certificate that provides documentation for a specific wine label. It certifies that the contents and design of the label have been approved for use nationally by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax Trade Bureau.

I recommend: The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission answers frequently asked questions about applying for and maintaining a certificate of label approval.

Customs duties

A customs duty is a tax imposed on the import or export of goods. Wine manufacturers must pay customs duties in most countries where U.S. wine is imported.

I recommend: The Alcohol and Tobacco and Trade Bureau provides the laws and regulations for import and export of wine and other alcoholic products, including information on customs duties and other taxes imposed on the product.

Standards of fill

Some countries importing and exporting wine have requirements, or standards of fill, regulating the size of containers that are used to import and export wine or other alcoholic beverages.

I recommend: TTB.gov provides more information on standards of fill for alcohol products.

Mutual Acceptance Agreement on Oenological Practices (MAA)

The Mutual Acceptance Agreement on Oenological Practices is an agreement between the United States and a number of other countries that export wine to the U.S. The agreement recognizes the difference in winemaking processes, but still allows the wine to be exported to the U.S. if it meets certain standards.

I recommend: The World Wine Trade Group provides the specifics on the Mutual Acceptance Agreement on Oenological Practices.

Wine labeling rules

Wine labeling rules in the United States regulate the content that must appear on a wine label. This information includes the appellation, grape type, alcohol content and allergy information.

I recommend: GPO Access provides the complete text for Part 4 of Title 27 which describes the rules for labeling wine.

Grape name or grape variety

Grape names are the names that distinguish one type of grape from another. Wine producers that import and export product must specify what type of grape the wine is made from on the label.

I recommend: Professional Friends of Wine provides the history of varietal wine labeling and the changes that have been made to make the grape variety clearer to the consumer.