After Sharad Pawar, Deshmukh pitches for wine

Mumbai, Mar 4 (UNI) Taking a cue from Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar who has been campaigning against wine being dubbed a liquor, Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Desmukh today said wine was prepared after processing grapes and was not liquor.

After releasing a book on 'Wine Industry' here, the Chief Minister said the book based on a project report will help spread the message of wine being a healthy drink.

Mr Pawar's earlier statements differentiating between wine and liquor and his advocacy that shops selling whiskey should not write 'wine shop' at their business estabishments had caused a controversy, polarising political classes on the issue.

Mr Deshmukh said his government has chalked out an ambitious plan to boost the wine industry as the product was in great demand.

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