Indian Subcontinent Vineyards and Business

There was a time that the conventional wisdom was that European wine grapevine Vitis vinifera flourished in regions of moderate temperatures in both the north and south hemispheres. It was also evident that there were numerous yet inaccessible wine regions within that area – as new developing regions of China illustrate.

However, vines thrive in the midst of these latitudes in both the south and north. A most intriguing places, because of the tropical climate lies on the Indian subcontinent, namely Nashik Valley.

Nashik Valley – Maharashtra

India’s very first and sole Master of Wine, Sonal Holland, states that the current Indian wine industry didn’t start until the middle into the new millennium. Although wine is made across a number of Indian states however, the most prominent one is Maharashtra that represents two-thirdsof Indian the country’s wine manufacturing. Around 3.5 hours north of Mumbai Maharashtra’s wine business has its roots in Nashik Valley, along the Godavari River. It has a long tradition of table grapes being grown which is why it was destined to become India’s most renowned wine-producing region. Holland declares: “We are scarily close to the equator, which is 20 degrees latitude. It’s a tropical climate which is tempered by the altitude.Big banyan vineyardis one of the prominent vineyards of India. Do plan to visit it if you are really looking forward to experience one

A February Harvest at altitude

The altitude range of 550-600m over sea-level is offered with the Deccan Plateau while the Trimbakeshwar Range located in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra protects the region from winds that come from the north. “The vines are not dormant and are subject to two phases of development,” Holland says. The grapes that are ripe in October and September are cut off and then thrown away while the one that comes after the dry, cooler winter months is utilized which is why, despite being located situated in northern Europe the Nashik harvest begins in February.

Style-conscious Diversity and Investment

Holland says that all types of wines are produced including reds that are unoaked or oaked, roses, whites, late-harvest styles , and sparkling wines. The varieties that are grown are most well-known international varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay However, Holland is keen to highlight the fact that Tempranillo, Sangiovese and Grillo are as well. “We are working on advancement in the field of the winemaking process. However, there has been substantial investment which has resulted in greater and more solid quality that wine can be,” the woman says. “Wine is extremely fashionable as the fastest-growing drink category in India in the present, showing an increase of double-digits over the last decade.”

Market Problem

Although India is a vast yet vastly inaccessible market however, it also presents huge difficulties. Holland exposes the paradox of the situationas follows “On one hand, we’re one of the nations with over 1 billion people, more than half of whom are legal drinkers. We are the most youthful population in the world that is keen to try any kind of alcohol along with wine coolers drinks. However, the industry of alco-beverage in India is bound by extremely tax burdens as well as a complex regulation system that is based on outdated laws. Between these two is an enormous opportunity to India’s Indian alcohol industry.”

It could be a long time until a large amount of Indian wine is exported. certain wines are accessible in UK as well as in other countries too However, Falstaff tried a few samples that came from Nashik Valley.