Wines In India

Chile has a kaleidoscope of wineries, from the large traditional wineries making bulk wines and gradually shifting to higher quality wines to add to the reputation and revenues, several modern wineries many of them springing up during the last couple of decades, with increasing exports adding to the glamour, the very small-medium sized wineries focusing on quality rather than quality. Subhash Arora discovered several of them within this spectrum, travelling across various valleys, in the Central region.

The winery started by José Puertas in 1950 was intended for making bulk wines with only one million liter capacity and 80 hAs of vineyards which have grown today to 650 hAs of vineyards. It is run by his son, also Jose Puertas, a very simple and unassuming person. The winery which looks like a modern refinery from outside, has a capacity of 23 million liters, 90% of which is still bulk with the balance being used to make its own bottled wines some of which have been awarded frequently in international wine competitions. It uses modern equipment and technology, including a special French grape selection machine that is used by only two Chilean wineries according to the winemaker Carlos Silva Torres who has 30 years of winemaking experience, 20 of which have been with Concha y Toro.

About half of its total production is consumed in the domestic market including bulk. Balance is exported to countries like Germany, Russia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, UK, Japan, France, Slovenia etc.

The price of bulk wine which usually hoer between 60-90 cents a liter have skyrocketed to 90-120 cents for bulk wine due to less production this year and this winery has also benefitted with an increase of around 25% on their regular rates.

Chile: Wineries of Central valley - Indian Wine Academy

London based Antique Wine Company is strengthening its global infrastructure which includes offices in other emerging markets such as Hong Kong and Mexico by setting up base in India too  and has announced the  appointment of Sonal Holland as its Country Representative based in Mumbai.

According to Stephen Williams, MD of the fine wine company he set up in London 25 years ago, has a brief to develop the company’s client base within India across all segments of the fine wine market from private individuals and luxury hotels to the finance & investment sector.

Sonal has recently worked as an independent wine consultant and advised hotels and restaurants on developing wine lists. She has recently concluded the WSET Diploma and founded Sonal Holland Wine Academy last year. She is an approved program provider of WSET wine courses in India, ostensibly the first two levels and soon should be approved to conduct the Advanced Certificate (level3). According to the WSET system, one is authorized to teach up to one level below the qualifications held.

Clarifying to delWine, she says, ‘I have attempted all my examinations of WSET Diploma level 4. There are a total of 6 exams to pass, of which I have already passed with distinction in 5 exams. The 6th exam was taken on June 8 for which I am still awaiting results. With that, I will be one of the two people in India who have completed the WSET Diploma level 4’.

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Alessio Secci, co-owner, Fratelli Wines India , is a graduate from the University of Political Science, Cesare Alfieri – Florence – Italy. Alessio majored in International Politics and Strategic Studies in May 2001. He is currently studying Agronomics and Oenology with a view to obtaining a degree in the next 2-3 years. Alessio began his career in the family owned high-fashion Shoe business, looking after Nova Footwear the Italian branch of Kidderminster Footwear Ltd, Leicester, England. Since late 2007, he has been working very closely on a daily basis with Mr Piero Masi, renowned viticulturist and Tuscan winemaker, in the management of the vineyards and winery activities of Fratelli.

Fratelli Wines was conceived in the hearts and minds of three families the Secci brothers - Alessio and Andrea, the Sekhri brothers - Kapil and Gaurav and the Mohite-Patil brothers – Ranjit and Arjun; who formed a joint Indo-Italian venture that gave birth to what we know as ‘Fratelli Wines’. The partnership brought in business and distribution capabilities along with the expertise of a long and historical association with the wine business in Tuscany. Fratelli Wines strongly believe that to bring out the best in wine it needs to be temperature controlled. India being a tropical country it was of utmost importance to ensure that the wine chilling plant was of top-notch quality, supplied by Blue Star, leaders in the field of refrigeration and air conditioning, ensured the wines ferment perfectly. The bottling plant has been purchased from GAI, Italy with 1600 bph capacity.

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The remarks made by the Chairman of the well-known British retailer Marks and Spencer, saying that their plans for India are "small today, big tomorrow" is not only prudent but also apt for imported wine market in India and many overseas producers are already towing this line. But one hopes retailers like M & S will also add wine to their portfolio at an appropriate time.

Speaking to Live Mint in an interview at the Intercontinental Group of Departmental Stores summit in New York earlier this month, Chairman Stuart Rose said his company is looking at a business of “hundreds of millions of dollars" over time in India. The UK's largest retailer has an international portfolio of at least 320 owned and franchised stores in 41 territories .

Interestingly the company which had partnered with Planet Retails until 2 years ago when they joined hands with the Reliance group instead, accuses the erstwhile operating partner for charging high prices. M&S is a mid-level UK retailer serving great value of affordable clothing. ‘We are not a high-end retailer and we don't want to be. We have fantastic quality and service and we want to make it available to as many people as possible,’ said Rose.

Similarity between wine business and Retail comes out again when he talks about the importance of India. ‘Small today, Big tomorrow. Two big emerging opportunities--India and China-- emerging middle class, aspirational middle class that wants to buy affordable clothes from good brands,’  is well applicable to the wine sector with the increasing middle class and their desire to have a better lifestyle.

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Jun. 8--NEW DELHI -- Indian and Chinese firms are looking to pick up equity stakes in Australian vineyards as demand for wine grows back home and the industry faces a crisis down south.

Exports account for around half of the A$5 billion (around Rs19,310 crore) Australian wine industry. India contributes just A$20 million to the kitty and China accounts for A$200 million, besides growing at a faster clip than the Indian market.

Exports account for around half of the A$5 billion (around Rs19,310 crore) Australian wine industry. India contributes just A$20 million to the kitty and China accounts for A$200 million, besides growing at a faster clip than the Indian market. "The Chinese firms showing interest in the Australian wine industry have interests spread across sectors such as construction, hospitality among others," Griffiths said. He didn't name any of the Indian or Chinese firms.

Full Story: Indian, Chinese investors raise a toast to Australian wine - istockAnalyst.com (press release)