Wijnhandel

Wijnhandel, or wine trade, describes the commercial activity surrounding wine, including production, import, distribution, and retail to consumers and businesses. The field involves producers, importers, wholesalers, retailers, sommeliers, brokers, and increasingly online platforms. It operates through multiple channels, such as direct import by producers, wholesale distribution to horeca (hotels- and restaurants-, cafés), and retail outlets, as well as direct-to-consumer sales via wine shops, club memberships, and e-commerce.

Historically, the wine trade has been central to European commerce since antiquity, with monasteries and merchant networks shaping quality, provenance, and distribution. In the modern era, large trading houses and negociants played a major role in intercontinental exchange. The 19th and 20th centuries saw expanding globalization, with wine from Europe, the Americas, and other regions circulating worldwide. Today, the wine market is highly globalized and diverse, ranging from large multinational distributors to small, specialty importers and boutique shops.

Geographically, major wine-producing regions include France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal, along with New World regions such as the United States, Australia, Chile, and South Africa. Regulation affects labeling, geographic indications, and taxation; importers must comply with documentation, safety, and advertising rules. In practice, wijnenhandel in Dutch-speaking contexts covers both import and distribution, including wholesalers, retailers, and online sellers.

Current trends influence the trade, including direct-to-consumer sales, online marketplaces, sustainability and organic or biodynamic production, and concerns about provenance and authenticity.