Out of a total of 185 medals, Indian wines bagged eight medals including five bronze and three silver medals at the India Wine Challenge 2008, held recently at Hayatt Regency in New Delhi.

Silver and Bronze

Chateau Indage Marquise de Pompadour, Chateau D’Ori Cabernet Merlot 2007 and Sula 2008 Late Harvest Chenin were the Indian wines which won silver medals, while Grover Cabernet Shiraz, Indus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Nine Hills Shiraz Rose, Sauvignon Blanc and Sula Blush Zinfandel received bronze medals.

Robert Joseph, founder of the London International Wine Challenge, chaired the judges panel. The panel consisted of international wine producers like Gina Gallo from Gallo family vineyards in California, Vanya Cullen, a wine maker from Australia, John Forrest, a wine producer from New Zealand, Mike Ratcliffe from Warwick Estate and Vilafonte in South Africa, Roberto Bava, a Italian wine producer, Subhash Arora, President, Indian Wine Academy and Magandeep Singh, India’s first French-certified sommelier.

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German wine-maker, Langguth Wine and Spirits, is looking for an Indian partner to set-up a joint venture in the country.

One of the leading wine-makers of Europe, Langguth has its joint ventures across the globe and now it wants to make India, its next stop-over, “we are looking in that direction like we did in South Africa, like we did in Spain, North Africa, Chile and the United States”, says the Executive Director of the company, Helmut G Seibert.

Famed for its international wine brand ”Blue Nun” across the globe, the sixth generation wine-maker from the Mosel region of Germany today launched two of its most popular wine brands Blue Nun from Germany and Kaya from South Africa in the Indian market.

An Indian company, “Natures Bounty Wine and Allied Products Private Limited” has collaborated with the German major to market these brands in the country. “Nature’s Bounty, they are already in the business of growing fruits and they may decide to grow grapes as well and may be this is the company we want to go with”, says Seibert.

More: Thaindian News

Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) in association with Singapore Airlines and Tourism Australia will organise a three-city Australian Seafood and Wine Festival in India. The first one has got underway in The Oberoi, New Delhi and will last till the 15th of November. The promotion will be on offer at the hotel’s ‘threesixty’ restaurant for both lunch and dinner.

The next two will also be held in the Oberoi properties in Mumbai and Bengaluru. Along with a variety of seafood from Australia, some of the finest wines from well known wine growing regions of Australia, like Margaret River, Yarra Valley, and Hunter Valley will be showcased during the festival.

Michael Carter, Trade Commissioner, Australian Trade Commission, says: the festival is a first of its kind initiative to promote and launch Australian seafood and wines in the burgeoning organised fine dining hospitality sector in India.

This is part of the Australian Government's ‘Utsav Australia’ programme to raise awareness about the capabilities of different Australian industries in potential markets. These promotional festivals would be supported by concerted public relation exercise through all channels possible both in Australia and India. The Trade Commission is having talks with select group of five-star properties in India to host similar festivals in the future.

More: Hospitality Biz

Quarterly Analysis

Champagne Indage: Good results. India’s largest and oldest wine Company announced 40% increase in sales and 35% rise in net profit. Crisis and alcohol are inseparable. I am a strict teetotaller but as an investor, I prefer these companies. Company is expecting 75% top line growth in the next quarter. Company is on expansion mode in recent days despite credit crisis.

CMP: 146; P/E: 5.4; Book value: 177.

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Italian wine-maker Roberto Bava is in India through Finewinesmore, to judge the India Wine Challenge in Delhi next week, and to promote his wine. Pioneers in the Barbera variety of local grape, the Bavas are known for such revolutionary wines like the Rosetta, the Stradivario and the Barolo — a sought after brand in the international wine market.

Inspired by Keith Jarret’s 1979 performance at the Montreal Jazz festival, Bava returned to his native Asti, in the Piedmont region of Italy, with a grand idea. “At that time my father was restoring one of our older cellars. My brother and I asked him to let us host classical music concerts in the cellar,” he recalls. Musicians performed for entire days at their cellars and kept trying different wines. As the day progressed, the musicians identified certain compositions or instruments with certain wines.

Now, Bava’s wine estate boasts of a steady stream of musicians performing classical and jazz music at their vineyard, which now has two dedicated jazz halls.

Bava regrets the elitism attached to wine consumption in India. “My own wine is too expensive for me to afford here. I hope that changes in future.”

More: Express India

Champagne Indage Ltd. plans to acquire more overseas wineries this fiscal year, seeking bulk wine exports to the UK and the US, even as it raises fresh capital from a possible sale of foreign currency convertible bonds, or FCCBs, and other financial instruments.

Indage had earlier agreed to buy Loxton Winery from Australian Vintage Ltd for 60 million Australian dollars (Rs204 crore), but the deal has been delayed because of Champagne Indage’s failure to get the financing in place, Sydney Morning Herald reported on 25 October. “We are completing various procedures required. Because of that we are delaying the completion of (the acquisition of) Loxton, nothing else,” Champagne Indage’s chief financial officer Rajesh Chalke said.

Champagne Indage, whose brands include its flagship Marquise de Pompadour, Chantilli and Riviera wines, was set up in 1982 as a 100% export-oriented unit. The company, whose products include red, white and sparkling wines, exports its labels to 69 countries, according to its website.

The Pune-based company is defying tight credit markets worldwide to pursue expansion, after completing the purchase of two wine makers abroad in the past 18 months and agreeing to buy a third. “There may be certain timeline delays, but there are another three acquisitions planned for the year,” said Ranjit S. Chougule, managing director of Champagne Indage. Champagne Indage aims to maintain growth of 40-60% in turnover, partly through acquistions overseas. The company logged consolidated revenue of Rs250 crore for the year to March 2008.

More: LiveMint

The volume of the imported wine market in India stands at 1,80,000 cases annually in which Australia has a 25 per cent share, shares Australian Trade Commissioner Michael Carter.

"We are looking at ways to increase this share notwithstanding some of the challenges like high import duties," he said. "We are working with Australian wine companies to increase market share here. They are looking at partnering Indian wineries for technology and skill transfer as well," Carter said.

Meanwhile, Australia has formed a special task force to work out details on a free trade agreement with India, and is negotiating with India for a reduction in import duties on wines.

More: Zee News

The World Trade Organisation’s appellate body has ruled in favour of an appeal made by the US against the high customs dutes imposed by India on wines and spirits. The ruling will, however, not impact the duties and prices of imported liquor in India. These were already lowered as per commitments made to the WTO last July following complaints from the EU and the US.

The EU and the US had appealed against the customs duties (ACD) imposed by India on wines and spirits over and above the basic customs duties to offset state taxes imposed on domestic liquor. India decided to withdraw the ACD in July last year, reducing its customs duty to 150%.

India, however, is concerned about a fresh complaint made by the EU against the states like Goa, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. These states levy much higher taxes on imported liquor compared to the domestically produced variant and this goes against the WTO concept of national treatment, according to the complainant. The Centre is talking to the states concerned in an attempt to resolve the issue.

Oct 20, 2008 – Mumbai, –Globus Wines, launches Miazma ‘’’Fine Wine of India’’ the most expensive Indian wine till date.

Globus Wines, A pioneer in Wine Retailing and producer of premium boutique wines in India, is pleased to announce the release of its Super-Premium brand Miazma ‘’Fine Wine of India’’. According to the company press release, Miazma ‘’Fine Wine of India’’ ™ is by far the most authentic premium wine produced in India today. The company has launched the wine in 3 varietals, Miazma Chenin Blanc, Miazma Shiraz and Miazma Pink Rose.

Speaking on the occasion, CMD, Karan Jain commented ‘’ Owing to the purposely limited production in order to ensure high quality wines, we have been compelled to put our customers under strict allocation for each variant. We have reserved only 3000 bottles including all 3 variants for the Indian Market. The remaining wines are being shipped to Europe as we have already pre-sold our first vintage’’.

Out of the total quota for India, 500 bottles are available at Globus Wine retail stores and the remaining on request-to-ship-basis only. To reach out to its customers, the company is planning to sell first 1.000 bottles in hand-crafted wooden cases, laser engraved with company Logo which will ideally be used for gifting or personal collection around the festive corner. “We’re eager to offer our customers the option to send their friends, family and clients these high-end accented wines with a prestigious touch. It’s exciting seeing these wines coming out of India and we are happy to be part of this’’. Commented Karan Jain

 Miazma ‘’’Fine Wine of India’’ is the most expensive wine in India till date at Rs. 1,200/bottle. The Vintage can be requested by visiting http://www.globuswines.co.in/ 

The imported wine segment, which is currently dominated by wine importers and distributors like Brindco and Sonarys, has now caught the fancy of local industry players like Champagne Indage, Sula and United Breweries (UB) who are keen on expanding their portfolios to cater to the Indian consumers across various price points.

Champagne Indage plans to introduce its Australian range of wines from its acquired companies Thachi Wines Company and VineCrest under the newly formed brand.

United Vintners Ltd (UB) besides introducing wines from Bouvet Ladubay, a premium French winery is now looking at expanding its portfolio to represent wines from different countries and regions here. Over the last six months, the company has introduced the Gossips label from Australia and is currently introducing the 10 Chapters range of wines from South Africa. In the pipeline are wines from Burgandy, France known as Bouchard Laine Fils, from Portugal the Pink Elephant series and wines from New zealand. "We will bring in over 35 labels from countries like France, South Africa, Portugal and New Zealand in the coming months,” says Sanjay Roy, head (marketing), UB.

The market has global contenders like Moet-Henessey, known more for its champagne and cognac, which also has high-end wines available and Diageo, which is one of the world’s largest producers of beers, spirits and wines with a strong presence here.

More: Business Standard

The European Union is set for talks with India over a potential conflict at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) over differential treatment for imported wines and lack of market access for spirits in some states.

This concerns Maharashtra’s differential tax regime for imported wines and Tamil Nadu’s reticence to open up the local market for international spirits and wines. But Maharashtra’s political lobby, which has sought protection for its fledgling wine industry and the vast pool of grape farmers, is unlikely to budge.

In Maharashtra, locally-bottled wines attract zero excise duty, while wines brought into the state from overseas or other states are taxed at about 200% on manufacturing cost, leading to a substantial difference in the price that consumers pay. Maharashtra is the country’s largest market for imported lifestyle alcoholic beverages, both on-premise and at retail. In a move aimed mainly at Maharashtra, Karnataka last decided to impose a Rs 300 per bulk litre import fee on wines from other states.

The EU team is scheduled to arrive in the second week of November for discussions with commerce ministry officials.

More: The Economic Times

UB has launched Burgandy's Bouchard Aine and Fils selection of wines in India.

'We are proud to be associated with Bouchard Aine & Fils and offer Indian wine lovers an exquisite range of Burgundy wines. These wines are a crucial supplement to our already healthy portfolio of wines from New Zealand, Australia, Loire Valley, South Af rica, Portugal and of course India,' informed UVL Business Head and Chief Wine-Maker, Mr Abhay Kewadkar.

These wines would be made available through United Vintners Limited in all the metros. The price range is Rs 750-5000.

More: The Hindu Business Line

'Wine and Indians are a perfect match,' avers Steven Spurrier, British Wine Authority & Chairman, Board of Wine Advisors, The Wine Society of India. On his path to becoming a authority on wine, Steven has been the Founder of l’Acadumie du Vin and the Christie’s Wine Course. He created the famous 1976 Paris wine tasting. The Wine Society of India (WSI) began operations in the last quarter of 2006.

Present in Delhi for an evening of wine tasting session organised by the WSI, that has managed to add 1,000 members, Spurrier was delighted to see the serious response from the visitors.

'I was asked some time back in India that why doesn’t wine sell here? And my answer was simple. Start setting wine glasses on the tables of hotels and restaurants and you will see a rise in the demand for wine,' says Spurrier. Only 1% of the country drinks wine, but with a population of 1.15 billion people, that leaves a target market of 11.5 million.

'One of the advantages India has that it produces its own wine and the quality is improving by the day. The other important and favourable factor for India is that unlike other wine producing countries where wineries compete against each other, Indian wineries compete with the world and not against each other,' he says, adding, 'the range of wines available in India, despite exuberantly high taxes, is quite large.'

More: The Financial Express

You have been developing a taste for good wine and love to travel, how about visiting a vineyard in Nashik, Pune or Bangalore next month? The Indian wine industry has grown from oddity to a force to be reckoned with, thanks to about eight major wineries located across the country.

Harvest Time

While the harvest season is from January to March, the season for wine holidays begins in October and continues till March in the vineyards located in the west; in Bangalore, the season is from January to May.

Vineyard Tour

A typical tour would include a stroll through the vineyard and the winery’s production facilities, witnessing the grape crushing at the vats and wine tasting at the tasting room. 

Sula Vineyards: Located on the outskirts of Nashik.One of the pioneers of wine tours in the country, they offer a wonderful wine experience, with ‘Beyond,’ a beautiful bungalow situated in the vineyards.

Chateau Indage Vineyards: With vineyards in Narayangaon, Pune District, Chateau Indage Ltd is the oldest wine company in India. The vineyards have over 20 varieties of grapes under cultivation. Be sure to check out the nearby Rural Ivy Wine Bar, one of the first bar *** restaurants to be set up by a wine company in the country. 

Grover Vineyards: Located a comfortable distance from Bangalore, Grover Vineyards is perfect for a day trip.

More: Express Buzz

Nashik-based Sommelier group has planned five wine bars in Pune, Nashik, Bangalore and Jaipur over next two years. The newly formed group plans to invest around Rs 6 crore to set up these multi-brand wine bars.

Promoted as 'The Sommelier', the wine bars would serve only wine along with food that suits wine consumption. Interestingly, the wine pricing would be low as these wine bars buy wine from manufacturers directly and sell to customers. "Wine consumption is increasing fast across prominent cities and hence, wine bars are the need of the hour. In a bid to tap this potential, we have come up with an idea of wine bars," said Jagdish Patil, one of the promoters of The Sommelier.