Wine consumption growing at 30 per cent in India

Kochi, Aug 22 (UNI) Wine consumption in India is growing at a brisk 30 per cent annually compared to a ten to 12 per cent increase in Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), Mr Aman Dhall, Director, Grover Vineyards, said today.

Addressing a press conference here to launch the company's leading wine brands in Kerala, Mr Dhall said wine was generally seen as a ''healthy drink'' with medical studies showing that moderate wine consumption was good for the cardio-vascular system.

In fact, in Maharahstra and Karnataka there was zero excise duty on wine as it was categorised as a 'fruit drink' in these states, he said.

Dr Yashoda Devi, assistant winemaker at Grover Vineyards and the first woman winemaker in the country, said even diabetics could enjoy a drink of wine occasionally as there was no added sugar content in it.

Mr Dhall said in Kerala, the consumption of wine was growing at about 40 per cent, which was higher than the national average.

He estimated the total market for wine in the country to be about 400,000 cases, of which 25 per cent was imported wines and the balance locally produced ones.

Stating that Indian wine was beginning to be accepted abroad, including France, the heartland of winemaking, Mr Dhall said Grover Vineyards was exporting wine to the US, France, the UK and Australia.

About 25 per cent of the company's total annual production of 100,000 cases was exported, he said.

In view of the rising demand for wine in the country, Grover Vineyards planned to double its production to 160,000 cases by the end of March, 2008.

The company's vineyards are spread over 400 acres in the Nandi hills near Bangalore. Its brands include 'La Reserve' and 'Cabernet Shiraz', both red wines, and 'Sauvignon Blanc', 'Viognier Clairette' and 'Sante Chenin Blanc' white wines.

The products are priced between Rs 382 and Rs 684.

UNI