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ProWein 2025: Signal for Innovation and Preparedness for Wine and Spirits Sector

ProWein 2025, held in Dusseldorf on 16 -18 March, was a successful Show sending out clear signal for innovation, vision and future-preparedness of the wine and spirits industry in the current challenging times for this \sector worldwide, characterized by internationally declining sales due to several factors including the current neo prohibitionist onslaught of health risks of wine and alcohol, and looming trade barriers by the US. Subhash Arora reports

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India EU FTA set to finally conclude by the Year-end

India and the European Union (EU) have announced a year-end deadline for concluding the long-pending FTA (Free Trade Agreement), marking their first firm commitment to a timeline after years of negotiations. Announced at the end of visit of the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s visit to India a week ago, implies that both sides are now serious to counter the impact of the onslaught of potential tariff hikes by POTUS Trump

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Prohibition India: Mizoram may soon allow Wine and Beer Sales

The Government of Mizoram plans to amend the current liquor prohibition in the State, with the Chief Minister Lalduhoma announcing yesterday that his government was planning to amend the liquor prohibition law, in force since May 2019, to allow the sale of wine and beer in the state, Subhash Arora writes about the yo-yo policy of the State changing on political compulsions and hopes that this time it will be for a long time

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India slashes duty on Bourbon and American wines under US Pressure

In what would be music to the ears of imported whisky drinkers, India has suddenly declared reduction of import duties on Bourbon whisky as well as some (presumably) American wines from 150% to 100% causing protests from Indian whisky producers, importers of Scotch whisky and EU wines in India, writes Subhash Arora who feels this was an intelligent move by PM Modi to buy time and come to a rational structure by December when detailed discussions take place

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SulaFest 2025: A Star is Reborn in the Wine Capital of India on February 1

Sulafest which had become a music and wine lovers paradise every first weekend of February, signifying the beginning of harvest at the previous 13 editions, returned with even more excitement and warmth at Nashik’s Sula Heritage Vineyard on the first weekend of February last week enthralling the visitors, especially the first- timers, writes Subhash Arora

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Il Dolce Vino debuts at Diva as enjoyable Aperitivo Evening

Il dolce Vino, the new Initiative of the Indo Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IICCI) Mumbai, was officially launched this week with the first event being an Aperitivo Evening organised by the Project head, Seema Chari with Alessandro Giuliani, President of the Chamber and Claudio Maffioletti, the Secretary General, attending from Mumbai, writes Subhash Arora who selected and presented 4 wines for this evening with guided tasting

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SAI organises Best Sommelier of India 2025 Competition for World Stage

The Sommeliers Association of India (SAI) has announced its first event in India-the 2025 SAI Best Sommelier of India Competition. This first-of-its-kind competition, internationally recognised and affiliated with the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI), will be held in Mumbai from 21-23 January 2025. This will be a significant step to promote the profession of sommeliers, one of the legs so important to improve the quality to international levels and profession and provide a platform to compete with the best in the world, writes Subhash Arora

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Enthralling Delhi Wine Club Dinner hosted by Chilean Ambassador at his Residence

The Chilean Ambassador to India, H.E. Juan Angulo and his wife Patrizia recently hosted a wine dinner at their residence, exclusively for the members of Delhi Wine Club, serving primarily Chilean Cuisine and Chilean wines. It was not only historical but enthralling for the members, writes Chairman Emeritus Subhash Arora who was touched by such fine details he went into for organising it over two weeks, keeping aside his ambassadorial hat and mixing freely with members at the Dinner

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Vinous Treat by Tastin’ France 2024 at French Embassy

French wine lovers in Delhi enjoyed the annual vinous treat by Tastin’France, organized by Business France at the French Embassy on 6 November, 2024, from 2-6 pm, with 11 French wine and spirits producers from Languedoc, Bordeaux, Champagne, Burgundy, Roussillon and Rhone Valley etc. showcasing over 100 wines and spirits, before moving to Prowine Mumbai where more wines from producers await the connoisseurs on 8-9 November, writes Subhash Arora Thougs.

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SulaFest back at Sula Vineyards in February 2025 after 5-year Gap

SulaFest, India’s iconic wine and music festival will make a grand comeback in February 2025 after a gap of 5 years. Though the exact dates have not been announced yet but historically it has always been held during the first weekend of February and if the common sense prevails the possible dates would be 1-2 February 2025 but the management might prefer second weekend instead for the relaunch due to practical reasons, writes Subhash Arora who has thoroughly enjoyed several editions.

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J’NOON Red 2022 strikes Gold at MundusVini 2024

After Fratelli Sette winning a Gold Medal in the very first appearance at MundusVini at the 33rd edition in the Summer Tasting last year, Fratelli J’NOON Red has hit the Bulls eye with a Gold Medal and the White variant bagging a Silver, whereas last year’s Gold winner Sette has to be satisfied with a Silver, writes Subhash Arora who feels there has been a quantum jump in the Medals Tally for Fratelli with 1 Gold and 3 Silvers

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Hill Zill: Maharashtra Policy killing nascent Fruit Wine Industry

Maharashtra has been one of the most progressive Indian States for promoting wine industry but seems to be hell bent to destroy the nascent fruit wine industry, with the leading producer Hill Zill Winery having shut shop and Moonshine Meadery having few chances of survival, writes Subhash Arora who finds it unfortunate because this segment is equally important from national perspective as thousands of tons of fruit are still being wasted and it is a provider of employment to farm workers pan India-beyond Maharashtra

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Chile Summit India 2024 on a Business Mission to Delhi and Mumbai

The first Chile Summit India 2024 being held on 27-30 August in New Delhi and Mumbai, seeks to promote wines, fresh fruits and nuts, as well as salmon, besides various other activities to promote trade between Chile and India, writes Subhash Arora who was at the Opening Ceremony at the Taj Mahal Hotel and later at a wine Tasting at the Chilean Embassy, organised by Wines of Chile as a part of the summit

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French Crémant sales grow as Champagne slows down

Champagne sales are declining with 299m bottles of Champagne sold in 2023 registering a decrease of 8.2% compared to the previous year, while the sales of French Crémant which have been going up for the last 10 years, increased by 5.7% in the same period, according to the Fédération Nationale des Producteurs et Élaborateurs de Crémant (FNPEC). Subhash Arora reports

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After Sula Vineyards, its Fratelli Wines going Public now

If you regret not investing in December 2022 of the IPO of India’s leading wine producer Sula Vineyards, and have FOMO, here is another opportunity to invest with the second largest wine producer, Fratelli Wines shortly going public through a complex integration with another family group, the multibagger Tinna Trade Ltd. which is being traded on Bombay Stock Exchange, writes Subhash Arora

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