Here at Bevica we know that many of our system users have worked for many years in the wine trade and know all the ins and outs of the industry. However, we also know that there are users out there who are new to the wine trade. To this end, we have compiled a glossary of key wine trade terms that Bevica users will find helpful.
General wine trade terms
Wine producer – Any person who, directly or indirectly, personally or through any agency, cultivates and grows grapes, fruits, berries, honey, or vegetables from which wine is produced.
Wine importer – Wine importers procure wine from another country with intent to sell in their own country.
Wine wholesaler – All businesses that supply wine to other businesses for resale.
Wine distributor – Another term for a wine wholesaler.
On-trade – The on-trade refers to places that sell beverages for immediate consumption on the premises like bars, restaurants, and pubs.
Off-trade – Off-trade usually means places like liquor stores, supermarkets and other places where you don’t consume the beverage right away.
Wine production terms
Vineyard – A vineyard is where grapes are grown to make wine.
Winery – A winery is where wine is produced.
Contract winery – A winery that produces wine for other people.
Cellar door – Part of a winery from which wine may be sampled or purchased.
Viticulture – The cultivation and harvesting of grapes.
Varietal – Varietal is used to describe a wine made from a single variety of grape.
Blend – Blend is used to describe a wine made from two or more varieties of grape.
Organic wine – Organic wine is a product that has been certified to organic standards by law. Organic wine production has to meet strict requirements, covering everything from pesticide use and land management, to preservation and storage.
Biodynamic wine – Biodynamic wines are largely similar to organic in growing methods and use of pesticides and herbicides. However, biodynamic growers tend to incorporate a more philosophical ethos to their farming, seeing agricultural sites as holistic organisms, with their own individual nature.
Sustainable wine – Wine sustainability refers to a range of vineyard and wine production practices that are not only ecologically sound, but also economically viable and socially responsible. Sustainable farmers may be certified (organic or biodynamic) or non-certified.
Wine importing, wholesale and distribution terms
Excise duty – Excise duties are indirect taxes on the sale or use of specific products, such as alcohol, tobacco and energy.
HMRC – HMRC (HM Revenue & Customs) is the UK’s tax, payments and customs authority.
Landed costs – The landed cost of an imported item is the total cost of purchasing it and getting it from its origin country to where it will be sold.
Duty Paid – Duty paid is where the VAT and duty is applied to the wine and generally means it’s going to be delivered to a non-bonded warehouse, such as a private UK residential address.
Duty Free – Duty free refers to the act of being able to purchase an item in particular circumstances without paying import, sales, value-added, or other taxes.
Bonded warehouse – A bonded warehouse is a secure space in which goods liable to import duty and VAT are stored. Customs duty and VAT payments on these items are deferred until the goods are sold or removed from the bonded warehouse.
In bond – A wine that is stored in an H.M. Customs & Excise-approved bonded warehouse. That duty and VAT is deferred until such time as the wine leaves the bonded warehouse.
Under bond – See in bond.
MTD – Making Tax Digital (MTD) is the government’s initiative to implement a fully digital tax system in the UK, whereby taxpayers keep digital records and use MTD-compatible software to make tax submissions electronically.
AWRS – Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme. As from April 2017, if a UK wholesaler sells alcohol, they need to be approved by HMRC and have an AWRS Unique Reference Number (URN).
EORI – An Economic Operators Registration and Identification number (EORI number). All businesses and people wishing to trade must use the EORI number as an identification number in all customs procedures when exchanging information with Customs administrations.
Rotation Numbers – In warehouse management, rotation or lot numbers are used to track inventory and ensure that products are properly rotated. Rotation number is typically assigned to a batch of products and can be used to trace the history and origins of the product. They can also be used to track expiration dates and other important information.
Intrastat – Intrastat is the name given to the system in the UK for collecting statistics on the trade in goods between Northern Ireland and EU member states.
Fine Wine terms
Fine Wines “are made with the very best grapes, are produced with extra care, and often come with the potential to age. But ultimately you can recognise a fine wine by its taste. It will have balance, length, complexity and a sense of place, known as terroir.”
Private Reserves – This is the term given to fine wine collections owned by individuals or companies that are stored and managed by a fine wine merchant.
Provenance – Wine provenance refers to a wine’s authenticity, the bottle’s origin, proof of ownership, and storage conditions.
En Primeur – En Primeur, or “Wine Futures” is the purchase of wines before they are bottled and shipped to the UK. Wines bought in this way are usually highly sought after wines and vintages. Payment for the wine is made at an early stage, usually 18 to 24 months before each wine is actually bottled.
Cellarage – Cellarage refers to the wine storage services provided by a fine wine merchant.
Broking – Broking or brokering refers to a service offered by either an individual or company who acts as a middleman between the individuals selling fine (or rare) wine and those looking to buy fine wine.
Learn more about Bevica
We hope you found this list of wine trade terms useful. For more information about Bevica and how it can help your business, contact us and book a demo.
