Readers' Comments

Rajiv Seth Says:

The observed warming of the past 50 years appears to have benefited the quality of wine grown world wide through : 1)Longer and warmer growing seasons. 2) Generally less Frost Risk. 3) More consistent Ripening climates. However the predicted warming in the next 50 years presents numerous potential impacts and challenges to the wine inustry.

Posted @ December 28, 2009 19:36

Gopal Gurnani Says:

We like Indian Wine Acadamy aticles, its give us all imformations of worldwide wine activities, lots of thanks and I wish to all viewers and readers Happy New Year

Posted @ December 26, 2009 09:45

Dr Yashoda Devi Says:

Subhash, Very well written article which should serve as a reminder not only to journalists to exercise caution prior to putting the interpretations of their interviews in writing, but also to the people who are being interviewed to henceforth keep in mind that they are dealing with novices and hence should be able to put their thoughts on a matter as clearly and simply as possible.The BWC as far as my knowledge goes was formed by a group of winelovers like Chipee Ganjee,Vijayan Menon,Rekha Menon,Sunil Chainani,Alok Chandra and Nina Kanjirath.Cheers!

Posted @ December 25, 2009 11:28

Abhay Kewadkar Says:

Subhash, On a personal note,I have always respected the independent stature of wine clubs in the country.This is the only way that a club can be objective.We can only help in the formation of the club,and support whenever requested.This remains our committement. Let me clear here that Bangalore Wine Club has always been an independebt identity and Grover Vineyards had nothing do in the formation of BWC.Not even blessings.I can say this with Authority as I was working for them that time. Issue you have raised is far reaching. Regards, Abhay Kewadkar

Posted @ December 24, 2009 17:05

Alok Chandra Says:

A correction: Grover Vineyards had nothing to do with the formation of the Bangalore Wine Club - indeed, at our first event (Jan-2001) Rajeev Samant turned up with a bottle each of his just-released Sula wines.

Posted @ December 24, 2009 16:40

Subhash Arora Says:

Hi Salony, I am glad you are keen on opening a fine wine boutique. There is enough clientele in Pune who would welcome the step. To the best of my knowledge, the license is being given in Maharashtra for such shops and wine bars where Indian wines are allowed to be sold. I am not sure of the imported wines though my info is that they are allowed. But the best people to inform you would be the local excise department which would take your application for such a license anyway. So I suggest you check out with the head of the local excise office-go and meet him.But even if you are allowed the license for imported wines, tread carefully. The duties are so high, that the wines become prohibitive and no matter how rich your clients are, they think twenty times before spending that kind of money especially when some bootlegger/ smuggler might offer them at half your price-sans taxes.I would encourage you to consider opening one, and stocking more of the Indian upper end wines and keep the low-mid level imported wines. Coupled with regular guided tastings, selling by-the-glass and planning out-of-the box activities, should be your mantra for success. Good luck and keep me posted. Subhash Arora

Posted @ December 23, 2009 10:38

Ashok Says:

Why only selected people may be from Delhi Wine Club [if it is in Delhi] and now from Mumbai chapter [of Delhi Wine Club] are only invited to the Launch event?

Posted @ December 21, 2009 11:26

kskarnic Says:

The impact of climate change on wineries in temparate zone would be disastrous. It may affect the qulity of the fruits/wines. This may augur well for the countries in the mediterranian and sub tropical zone where several varieties have not been put to wine making. As suggested India can use Bangalore purple and Gulabi which would provide a definite leverage for wineries.

Posted @ December 21, 2009 11:16

Salony Kane Says:

Dear Mr Arora, Read your well thought out and informative article on top importers of wine in India. One question springs to mind - what about making these wines accessible to consumers off-premise? Retail experience is quite frankly dis-enchanting! I have been pondering establishing a fine wine boutique in Pune,Maharashtra but cant seem to get information on whether the state government's Wine & Beer sales license has been promulgated or not. Whilst license for retail alcohol in shops are restricted and need to be traded - can a wine and beer shop only license be applied for or has this law still to be passed? I would appreciate any input you may have in the matter. Best Regards, Salony Kane

Posted @ December 21, 2009 10:18

Ankit Chamoli Says:

The effect on the wine due to climate change will effect the current senerioa,as when temperature will be increasing the sun shine will be increasing thus there will be more dry berries or nobel rotted grapes..Thus it will provide good quality of wine.But the future of cool & Sprakling wine is under danger for that those country will enjoy the production where there is no direct rays of sun or a slight effect of global warming..

Posted @ December 19, 2009 13:22

Rajiv Seth Says:

Dear Kskarnic,I will like to enhance your understanding a little more about Indian wine industry.Firstly I am talking about distilling wine to Brandy,which will support the portfolio of wineries from same raw materials.Secondly are you aware that in our country Brandy which you drink is spirit with added Oak chips for flavours, and not always distilled of wine.Thirdly the prposed vision document of IGPB has also mentioned of solving the immediate problem of over stocks by liquidiating it some how.Also are you informed that many wineries have given in writing that they are not going to purchase any grapes this year.Are you aware that if grapes are not purchased this year many of our vineyards will be uprooted. Please be informed that France has been distilling wine to legendry Cognac and Armanac in pot stills from as long as 16nth century. products like Marc and Grappa have also been enjoyed from a long time now. On the other hand the role of growing wine grape and its impact on economic upliftment of grape grower of Black comunity has been lauded in south Africa by president Mandela himself. Need more information , please write me.

Posted @ December 18, 2009 14:23

Somaie Says:

Small Business owners are largely forgotten. Thats why I only focus on them. I have experience several members of my family file bankruptcy due to small business failures. I also I suffered through 2 destroyed businesses due to failure however, in my failings I have learned some of the secrets to success. (Who can say they know it all?) What I like about small business owners is that they are not afraid to take huge risks and lay it all on the line. But, I agree they do need a lot of help with their marketing. I think having them go the social media and email route is not only the least expensive but its also the most effective. Thanks for the stats! www.onlineuniversalwork.com

Posted @ December 17, 2009 10:00

Mauss Says:

This kind of situation is also discussed in lenght in some others countries in Europe since, obviously, the laws of AOC and DOC, DOCG need a strong refreshing to fit inside the new ways of making wines. In other words, it is only a beginning. Warmest best,

Posted @ December 16, 2009 12:20

Subhash Arora Says:

Since the article was posted I have received a couple of calls from people interested in buying bulk wine. If any of our producers has extra wine and is interested to sell, please contact me. Needless to say it will be in strict and complete confidence. Subhash Arora

Posted @ December 16, 2009 10:30

kskarnic Says:

All the problems are self created. This is not the case only with grapes.Similar marketing/disposal problem have occured in several other crops like vanilla, areca sugarcane and list is quite long. The greed on the one side and the escalation of cost of all agricultural inputs, misguided marketing strategies, over dependance on Govt. subsidies, and ill conceived projects have all lead to the problem of wineries. Now the propsal to distill wine for extraction of brandy is yet again a way of cheating ourselves. Such activity may give rise to unhealthy competition/ illigal activities/tax evasion all this whch are not known to farmers would imparted to them under the guise of training. Instead farmers may be advised to grow table grapes using low cost techniques and supply the fresh produce to the common people at reasonal prices so that both the cultivator and consumer are benefitted.

Posted @ December 16, 2009 10:29

Devarajan Says:

Hello Subhash & Raju ji, I don't drink, but I like promoting wine as professional drink in place of whiskey and beer :) Mallya is going to trace me now. It is very nice to hear about Chennai wine club.

Posted @ December 16, 2009 10:12

YEGAS NAIDOO Says:

Not being familiar with Hungarian wine and wine making techniques this report has proved to be an encouraging introduction, well written and with a personal stamp of being on site.

Posted @ December 11, 2009 17:40

Subhash Arora Says:

Dear Jardine, I am glad it was a productive event for you-as it would have been expected. My focus was generally on the shrunken size of exhibition and the possible reasons thereof-to which South Africa did add in a major way for whatever reasons, and the footfalls which were unfortunately very disappointing for the people we came across in 3 days-including some participants who did not wish to be named. As for the South Africa stand being manned, I took a casual picture of it as I was passing by. I was sitting at the neaby café and IOOC stand for around half an hour and did not see anyone. That was around 3:30-4:00 pm on the first day. You are perhaps talking of the later days or perhaps the person who was manning the stall had gone on a coffee break during my visit. For whatever its worth, I am making the picture of the stand  taken casually, enlargeable. Once again, I am glad you were able to generate positive enquiries though I do wish South African wines should have been present in some form. I feel, it is important for your wine industry to be constantly in picture for chiselling in a better share of the Indian wine market.  Subhash Arora

Posted @ December 11, 2009 10:10

Jardine Omar Says:

We have a different experience to share about IFDE 2009. Despite the small size of the exhibition, it was quite a productive event as some good new contacts were created with importers, large retailers & distributors. As IFDE is a Food & Beverages exhibition, it is unfair to judge it on the basis of the presence of wine exporters/vineyards. There was good participation by food companies, some of them offering excellent products for the Indian market. Your comment on South Africa, is unfair, especially in the context of IFDE being a brand new exhibition. The same discretion was used by us in opting for an information booth initially and then increasing the size of our participation based on experience. The same process was followed for IFE too. As regard your comment on the South African stand not being manned, we would like to mention that between 10am and 5pm, the stand was not left unmanned for a single minute. Finally, we believe that there must be some kind of consolidation in the Food & Beverages exhibition space, as there is just a proliferation of exhibitions, some good and some poorly executed.

Posted @ December 10, 2009 15:36

Rohit Bajpai Says:

Hey Yashoda, apart from the applause for all the other feathers in your cap, i must say you write very well. Cheers! Rohit

Posted @ December 10, 2009 12:58

randhir.balgopal Says:

Hi yeshoda, your internship reads like a fairy tale. Thanks for sharing. Randhir

Posted @ December 09, 2009 12:02

Ranjan Pal Says:

Totally agree with you but it will take an enlightened bureaucrat to agree and be willing to implement something like this. Much easier to say "two bottles of whatever" -makes it simpler for the dumb customs guys to follow as a rule.

Posted @ December 07, 2009 11:52

Matt Says:

This was a very informative article -- thank you so much for sharing! It feels so hard to find reliable advice on the internet this day and age... it is another thing I'm not convinced is getting better with age!

Posted @ December 02, 2009 13:36

Bharat Says:

its very good to hear that airport retailing is boomning but if we see the business man after slowdown has reduced the number od hours of their flying.this matter creating big abstacle for the wine shops and airport retailing need a different perspective because its a very different concept from mall. we need such type outlets which avoid heavy goods difficult to carry while travelling.

Posted @ December 04, 2009 12:28

Chetan Shah Says:

pleae mail me mr.mhatre contacts and oblige

Posted @ December 02, 2009 13:36

Chris Pohl Says:

Dear Subhash, thanks for putting this in and for the free punn! Siyabonga! Chris

Posted @ November 26, 2009 11:36

Subhash Arora Says:

You will know through delWine. Unfortunately, most of the events like this are with Indian wines only. For tasting of imported wines, you need to take part in a wine show, like the one one happening next month Delhi or the one in Mumbai on January 28-30-called the Taste Expo. Subhash Arora

Posted @ November 25, 2009 14:23

Vishal Kadakia Says:

Thanks for the kind mention of wine park in your article about top 100.
We also did quite well in the SWIC. Out of the 9 wines submitted 7 won awards.
The list follows:

Gold
1. Tapestry, Cabernet Sauvignon, McLaren Vale, 2006 2. Vietti, Barberesco, Masseria, Pidemont, 2005 3. Kesselstatt, Josephshofer, Riesling, Spatlese, Mosel, 2003 4. Thelema, Cabernet Sauvignon, Stellenbosch, 2006

Silver
1. Champagne Philippe Gonet, Blanc de Blanc, Mensil sur Oger, NV 2. Rolf Binder, Halliwell, Shiraz-Grenache, Barossa Valley, 2006

Bronze
St. Urbans-Hof, Riesling QbA, Mosel, 2007

Kind Regards,
Vishal Kadakia
Wine Park, Mumbai

Posted @ November 25, 2009 13:16

Subhash Arora Says:

We checked up from the organisers. Apparently UB and Aspri did take part. The big disappointment was non-participation by Nashik wine association which was cancelled at the last minute.Both these companies also confirmed they were present. The IndSpirit are as disappointed as you are and are apologetic for any inconvenience caused.

Posted @ November 25, 2009 12:58

Ashok Says:

I visited Indspirits 2009 being held at Renaissance Hotel at Powai, Mumbai. To my surprise there were no exhibitors for Wines. In their website they had informed that 17 companies from Wine Trade would be present. When I enquired at the venue a lady told me that at last moment wineries from Nashik withdrew their participation and we forgot to update our website that there were no Wine Exhibitors. This was unexpected where in we have to travel almost 2 hours to the venue. I would appreciate if you publish this on your website so that Organisers of Indspirits come to know where they have gone wrong. Thanks! Regards,
Ashok

Posted @ November 24, 2009 15:15

Dr. R.K. Sharma Says:

I have tasted the Ambi Wines made in Madhya Pradesh. It is really very good. Govt. Should help those farmers.

Posted @ November 18, 2009 11:58

CTG TRAMBUSTI GIGLIOLA Says:

when will the next event happen ??? Please let me know . Thank you and best regards

Posted @ November 12, 2009 12:15

Ashish Vashi Says:

Dear Mr. Desai,
I am journalist from The Times of India, Ahmedabad. We want to do profile on you in our Newspaper. Sir please tell me how we can communicate. Regards and Thanks

Posted @ November 11, 2009 15:17

Bipin Desai Says:

Hello Subash, I read the article. It was well written with a nice sense of humor.It was delightful to meet you at WWS, Lake Como. I was very impressed with your knowledge of and your dedication in the subject of wine.India certainly needs someone like you. I have bookmarked your website and will be checking in from time to time.Let's get together when you come to the Los Angeles area. It is not very far by plane from Houston.Regards. Bipin

Posted @ November 11, 2009 14:01

Subhash Arora Says:

Dear Mr. Giorgio Soldati, I clearly remember the visit to your winery and I believe it to be the best Gavi producing company. I was impressed by the variety and the quality of your wines. I have often told importers, connoisseurs and restaurant owners about your wines. I think I wrote about you too but your wines certainly deserve a place in the top end Italian restaurants, not only in India but any part of the world. Most people do not appreciate the difference between a Gavi and Gavi di Gavi which is what you produce, of course and being better quality standards, is slightly more expensive. Subhash Arora

Posted @ November 11, 2009 13:26

Subhash Arora Says:

I have tasted AlbaRossa. Five producers in the world? Watch out for my article in the next issue that talks about the grape variety which has only ONE producer in the world. Italy has some fascinating wine stories. Subhash

Posted @ November 11, 2009 13:21

Giorgio Soldati Says:

Mr Arora, I remebre your visit at my Cellar "La Scolca" last year. Later we had some messages. Now, please what I have to do to have a presentation of our Gavi (www.scolca.it) in your news? And so later more find an importer? I Thank you Giorgio Soldati

Posted @ November 11, 2009 12:08

Remie Says:

Tasted Ruche at WfA, recently, made by Casa Martelletti, within the Perlino Optima group. Very impressive and agree with your thoughts on the wine. The other interesting varietal is a cross called AlbaRossa from the same company. Here only 5 producers in the world. No idea about prices, though.

Posted @ November 11, 2009 12:05

Alok Chandra Says:

Lovely interview, Subhash - congratulations. I had once emailed Mr. Desai - but naturally did not receive any reply(he must be used to receiving such random mails). Alok

Posted @ November 11, 2009 11:38

Hervé Lalau Says:

Wine bloggers are easy scape goats. When I see how badly wine is treated by so-called journalists (holding press cards) in France - a recent example was given last Friday when every newspaper copied a wrong dispatch about cHmpagne from AFP, with the name Vranken spelled as Wranken, and no journo seemed to realise (nor cared to go deeper and dig up figures and facts)... I think bloggers are not the biggest problem.

Posted @ November 11, 2009 11:18

Subhash Arora Says:

Indian Wine Academy is in the business of promoting wine consumption in India through education at the grass-root levels and offers consultancy to various stakeholders to make this happen. Organising trips to such international wine shows is one such activity. A VIP buyer gets the airfare and hotel stay besides many other benefits. IWA negotiated hard to get the importers who are members of the Academy to get elevated to this status. It is impossible to know all the wine producers in one life time. At shows like this, one meets several new and interesting producers, which might not be possible otherwise. IWA is proud to have facilitated many such visits to France, Italy, Spain, Singapore and now Hong Kong-where incidentally it is the first time that a group of VIP buyers have visited. At such events, IWA is present and available to assist in any way, including tasting of wines. Subhash Arora

Posted @ November 09, 2009 14:15

grape wine co Says:

what benefit does Indian Wine Academy have by taking a delegation of Indian buyers to HK? What does VIP buyer mean? If buyers are VIP than they would be knowing all good manufacturers ... why do they need assistance of Indian Wine Academy?

Posted @ November 07, 2009 13:26

Mayukh Dewan Says:

my sentiments exactly. i do face the same situation every time i arrive in india. this matter need to be looked at and discussed in detail by the ministries concerned.

Posted @ November 07, 2009 12:58

Remie Says:

Singapore/Malaysia is much better. It is 1 litre BEER, wine or hard liquor.

Posted @ November 07, 2009 11:36

Bharat Deshmukh Says:

A detailed article and encouraging one for the wine industry and enthusiast. All the best Sula Vineyards

Posted @ November 03, 2009 13:36

Subhash Arora Says:

A funny thing happened. The news about UK employees beeing paid off did appear to be bogus as there was no name of sender. So I sent a mail to the address info@intheuk.com. to check the authenticity. Not surprisingly, the mail bounced back several times. when I tried to check www.intheuk.com the message that appeared was that the site is under construction.
I sent the mail to the PR manager of Indage and it bounced back too-so did about 25 of the 40 odd mails I sent to. It looks like a super-agency has taken over to do the PR work for the company. I would be curious to know what happened in UK and the latest on the employees salaries in india. Subhash Arora, Lake Como, Italy

Posted @ October 29, 2009 11:36

Info Says:

From a UK perspective, I wish to confirm that the Directors kept their word and have paid all employees wages in full.

Posted @ October 23, 2009 18:35

Miss Yegas Naidoo Says:

You are but modest Subhash. To your many credits the Global success of your Newsletter is because of the in-depth commentary that is well researched, objective and sometimes with "tongue-in-cheek" pithy observations. Not only that,  your breaking news is indeed so timeous that I sometimes wonder whether you sleep at all and have a telepathic connection to the wine world at large. May your readership continue to grow. Yegas

Posted @ October 23, 2009 18:02