Types of Wine: Understanding the basics

When it comes to wine, there are seemingly endless types of wine to choose from.

If you're in the business of importing wine, it's essential to choose the types of wine most in demand, to be successful in your market. There are several ways to classify the types of wine available, from country of origin to grape variety. In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about different wine styles.

Understanding the different types of wine

The huge range of wines available can be categorized according to the place where they are grown and produced, as well as their style, grape variety or appearance.

The main types of wine 

Generally, wines can be categorised into three main types of wine: white, red and rosé.

• White wine is made from the juice of white grape varieties. Immediately after harvest, the grapes are pressed, and the juice undergoes fermentation.
• Red wine is made from red-skinned grapes. After harvest, the grapes are macerated with their skins for a few hours to several weeks, allowing color, flavor and tannins to develop before fermentation.
• Rosé wine is typically made from red grape varieties. The grape skins remain in contact with the juice for a short period - usually a few hours to a couple of days - giving the wine its pink hue before fermentation continues without the skins.
• Orange wine is made from white grape varieties but undergoes extended maceration with the skins before pressing, similar to red wine production. This process enhances color, texture and tannin structure.

Types of wine by grape variety

There are a variety of grapes that can be used to make different types of wine, and each can produce a wine with its own unique flavor profile. Some of the most popular types of wine include green-skinned grapes like Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc and red-skinned grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

Types of wine by wine styles

Wine styles are another way to classify wine. This includes still, sparkling and fortified wines:

• Still wines are the most common type of wine. This type of wine is produced from the natural alcoholic fermentation of grape juice, or must. The yeast converts the must into wine. According to market trends, the still wine market is worth  $308.20 billion and is expected to grow annually by 7.04% (CAGR 2022-2025).
• Sparkling wines are made from red or white grapes with a significant level of carbon dioxide, which gives them their signature fizz. The revenue in the sparkling wine market amounts to $44.14 billion and is expected to grow annually by 8.50%.
• Fortified wines have been “fortified” with a distilled spirit like brandy. The original use of fortification was to preserve the wine, as casks of wine were prone to turn to vinegar during long sea voyages. The spirit added might also enhance the wine’s natural flavors. The most common fortified wines are Port, Madeira, Sherry or Marsala. Revenue in this segment amounts to $13.32 billion and is expected to grow annually by 7.09%.

Types of wine by region

Wines can also be categorized using the place in which they are made. Wine produced in a certain region is influenced by its climate, geology and local wine making traditions. Wine making tends to be highly localized: just 10 countries produce over 80% of the wine available today. 

In some areas, a wine region must follow a set of rules on grape variety and the winemaking process. For example, the French Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) system defines and regulates the unique wine regions of France, including Bordeaux, Champagne, Alsace and many others.

Where to find the best types of wine for your target customer?

The best types of wine for an importer are the wines that their target customer is looking for.

Some customers prefer to consume wines from well-known regions such as France, Italy and Spain. Other customers might be interested in buying a grape variety such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec or Pinotage. 

The new world wine-producing countries such as Australia, Chile, New Zealand and Argentina tend to label wines styles with the grape variety, while the old world (Italy, France, Spain and Portugal) use the appellation of origin.

It's also important to keep in mind that nearly half of the wine produced in the world comes from Italy, France and Spain, according to the International Organisation of Vine and Wine.

The countries that consumed the most wine in 2023 were:

1. USA - 15.1% of world’s total consumption
2. France - 11.0% of the world’s total consumption
3. Italy - 9.9% of the world’s total consumption

Global trade also varies with the different types of wine. In 2023, international trade in wine looked like this:

1. Bottled wine: 52% of the total volume of wine traded, and 67% of the total trade value.
2. Sparkling wine: 11% of the total volume of wine traded, and 25% of the total trade value.

Here is a breakdown of the top five countries that export wine globally and the amount of wine exported in million hectoliters during 2023.

1. Italy - 21.4
2. Spain - 20.8
3. France - 12.7
4. Chile - 6.8
5. Australia - 6.2

Other countries that export wine in descending order of volume exported include South Africa, Germany, Portugal, Canada, and the United States.

How to minimise risk during transport 

When importing wine, you can do a few things to minimise risk and help your wines get from point A to point B on time and in optimum condition.

First, work with a reputable global shipping partner who has a good understanding of the market. Hillebrand Gori has offices in every market where wine is crafted and consumed, so you can rest assured that your wines are in safe hands.

We offer a variety of risk management solutions to ensure your wine reaches its destination in optimum condition. From making accurate climate predictions with meteorological data sources by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to offering safe storage solutions, our services go beyond wine logistics. 

We want to help you make the transportation process cost-effective and efficient.

For more information about our wine shipping solutions, contact us today. We would be happy to discuss your specific needs and provide you with a precise solution along with a customised quote.

Reviewed by Hillebrand Gori