|
|  Email this Page |  Write to us
Of making, selling and tasting wine
April 23, 2008
How are wine grapes different from ordinary grapes? Wine grapes are smaller than regular grapes (table grapes) and have a higher ratio of skin to pulp (this makes them more tannic). Their pulp is softer and their skins are chewier then eating grapes. Wine grapes are often more fragrant, sweeter and spicier, while table grapes are often crunchier and refreshingly tart. What made you foray into the wine business? We had made our mark in the construction industry with Siddhivinayak Construction Private Limited (1996). We wanted to move on and test new waters. After much R&D we realised that in India, in spite of having a rural agri-based economy, horticulture was not a well organised sector and the processed food industry, though extremely promising needed a huge startup investment. We were looking for something we could experiment, explore, something that denoted high quality and standard. We wanted an idea that could be developed into brand India. Then, we came across this article 'The dawn of Indian wine industry' and rest as they say is history. Today, Indus Vineyards have a variety of wines under its wings -- Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Shiraz and Ros�. Image: A young woman stomps on grapes in a barrel during the harvest feast in Santa Cruz, Chile | Photograph: Martin Bernetti/AFP/Getty Images Email this Page | Write to us
Of making, selling and tasting wine
April 23, 2008
Where are Indus' vineyards located? What is their production capacity? The winery and the vineyards are located 160 km from Mumbai and 23 km from Nasik City at Murambi village on the main Mumbai-Agra National Highway (NH-3). It is 5 km away from Wadhiware village. With a commanding view of the Mukni dam, the vineyard is located on a picturesque hill of gentle slopes of red laterite and occasional fragments of basalt rock rich in iron. It would be the first vineyards in India to be planted on slopes, which has a great appreciation world over for the berries they produce are full of rich colour, taste and aromas. The winery is an architectural wonder as it sits atop the vineyards. Its location is advantageous for the productive use of the multilevel gravity flow system. The winery's unique design meets three requirements. Since it is dug into the mountain, it complies with the gravity flow design, its subterranean chambers ensure balanced humidity and temperature and it creates low environmental impact. In addition, the special design of the winery gives us tremendous flexibility in making our wines. We are capable to treat every wine grape in its individual capacity as per its inherent qualities and develop a style of wines that is uniquely Indus. The current production capacity is 150,000 litres, which will be doubled as per the sales projections of Prashant Kotwal, Manager, marketing and sales.
|
| Email this Page | Write to us
Of making, selling and tasting wine
April 23, 2008
Tell us something about the production of wine grapes in India Grape is cultivated over an area of 60,000 hectares with an annual production of 1.6 million tons. The returns per unit area of land are very high with grape cultivation. Vines are raised on their own roots in India and rootstocks are not employed. But in recent times Dogridge and other rootstocks are being used to combat soil and water salinity problems. Production of wine grapes began sometime around 1980. In Maharashtra about 1000 hectares and about 200 hectares of land in Karnataka is cultivated for wine grapes. Nasik, which lies between 15� and 20� N latitude, is a major viticulturist district. Nasik vines do not undergo dormancy and double pruning and single harvest is the general practice in this region. Soil types and weather here is conducive to grape growth. Additionally, the soils have good percolation qualities and therefore produce excellent grapes for wine making. Anab-e-Shahi, Bhokri, Flame Seedless, Bangalore Blue, Sharad Seedless, Thomson Seedless are the indigenous varieties grown in India. Approximately 80 per cent of the total production, irrespective of the variety, is consumed fresh. Wine varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Shiraz, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Ugni Blanc. Harvest begins in late January, when temperatures at night are as low as 8 degrees Celsius and daytime temperatures range from 22 to 25 degrees Celsius. Harvest ends in mid-March. Image: View of the fields of the Caliterra vineyard in Santa Cruz, Chile | Photograph: Martin Bernetti/AFP/Getty Images |
|
| Email this Page | Write to us
Of making, selling and tasting wine
April 23, 2008
There has been an increase in the number of wineries and decline in production of wine grapes Maharashtra, the wine capital of the country, has as many as 36 wineries. With the number of wine makers on the rise, there is no proportionate increase in wine grape cultivation. Major reason for this is that the farmers get a very high yield for the table variety (about 12-15 tonnes per acre) as opposed to the restricted yield of wine grape variety (4-5 tonnes per acre). This deters farmers from switching to wine grapes. Moreover, weather changes, soil and water salinity, drought and deceiving middlemen are other deterrents. Also a narrow variety base and lack of diversity in utilisation of the germplasm daunts wine grape growth. What measures should be taken to increase the supply? The Government should take measures to sustain productivity and minimise risks in grape cultivation. It should encourage restricted wine grape cultivation by giving subsidies and introducing updated technology. Efforts should be put in to extend cultivation in newer areas. Image: A field worker uses a knife to pick grapes during a harvest in a vineyard at Rochus mountain, Rhine, Germany | Photograph: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images |
Email this Page | Write to us
Of making, selling and tasting wine
April 23, 2008
Why did you choose Maharashtra for your vineyard? The Government of Maharashtra had declared the 'Maharashtra Grape Processing Industrial Policy 2001' and named Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) as the nodal agency. MIDC helps firms establish vineyards and wineries by providing land and infrastructure facilities at reasonable rates. It has developed Godavari Valley Wine Park at Vinchur, in Nasik district and Krishna Valley Wine Park at Palus, in Sangli district. In Maharashtra, the total area under grape production is 40,000 hectares with an annual production of 11 lakh mts of grape. Nasik is the main grape-producing district in the state. With the Government of Maharashtra encouraging farmers and small time entrepreneurs to venture into this industry, we decided to set up our vineyard here. How popular is wine in India? In India wine is considered a ticket to the upper strata of society. With economic liberalisation and lifting of import restrictions, India has become an upcoming wine hub. Sales of wine tripled to 1.2 million cases the last year, despite India being a whisky-preferring nation. Relaxed import duties, improved living standards and 'Bollywood' influence has led to increase in the popularity of wine. Moreover, international health experts also vouch for the salubrious effect of a glass of wine on youthful looks and a sound heart. Since wine is associated with romance and celebration, popping the wine cork for festive occasions is gaining popularity. Image: Wine buyers look at bottles of wine displayed during the first day at Vinitaly wine exhibition in Verona | Photograph: Damien Meyer/AFP/Getty Images
|
| Email this Page | Write to us
Of making, selling and tasting wine
April 23, 2008
What is the difference between still and sparkling wine? Wine (still) is an alcoholic beverage made from fermentation of grape juice, while sparkling wine is the result of the process of inducing secondary fermentation of a wine in the bottle to effect carbonation. What's the difference between marketing of wine and other spirits? There are several challenges to marketing wine. India is pre-dominantly a whisky drinking nation. The distribution channels for liquor, beer and wine are the same but distributors charge high commissions to distribute wines. Liquor giants have already established distribution networks so their foray into the wine industry would be a cakewalk. One of the main reasons why wine drinking has not caught on is that quality wines are priced relatively high. Since volumes are low production costs are high. In a tropical country like India storing wine is also a problem. Moreover, advertising of liquor, beer and wine has been banned by the Indian Government. Is wine exported from India? Pioneer wine companies in the industry have been exporting their wines to UK, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, Bhutan, Nepal, Srilanka, Mauritius, New Zealand, Japan and the US. A number of Indian wine companies are linking up with Western investors who help them with export sales, in return gaining entry into India's massive market. Image: Bottles of Montchenot is housed in deep underground cellars away from light and at constant temperatures in Bodegas Lopez winery | Photograph: Daniel Garcia/AFP/Getty Images |
Email this Page | Write to us
Of making, selling and tasting wine
April 23, 2008
Is government policy conducive to growth of wine market? The Maharashtra government is lending support to wineries in the state. Other states should take a cue from Maharashtra's wine policy. The Central Government should formulate a uniform law in all states to develop the wine industry as an agro based one. The government should also lay down guidelines to monitor quality compliance. It should think on the lines of decreasing the customs duty for winery equipment, having government distribution networks, encouraging farmers to grow restricted yield wine variety grapes, giving subsidies and ensuring that these subsidies reach the farmers. The government should also promote wine at trade fairs, exhibition and wine festivals. Wine should be made available at all stores and promoted as a health and social drink. What about the tax policy? How does that affect the wine business? The tax structure, both at the Centre and State levels, is dampening. India imposes a heavy customs duty on wine; state governments too levy taxes. Also, the complicated licensing system adds to the problem. At the Central level, the requirement is for all liquor and wine labels to be registered and renewed every 12 months at a certain cost. Considering that wine portfolio has to be introduced by a new player, the investment for the distributors to just get the licences seems to be higher. At the State levels, there are States which prohibit consumption of liquor, while others have separate licensing for wholesale and retail sales. These restrictions slow down the growth of wine import. Image: A waiter pours red wine into a glass during the Grape Harvest Festival in Santa Cruz, Chile | Photograph: Martin Bernetti/AFP/Getty Images Email this Page | Write to us
Of making, selling and tasting wine
April 23, 2008
Give us tips on tasting wine to estimate its excellence Wine drinking is associated with tradition and a very pleasurable one at that! To experience the true flavour of a wine you must pay attention to your senses -- sight, smell, touch and finally taste. The best way to look at wine is by tilting the wine in the glass and looking at it against a white background. Its colour will vary as per the type of wine. Red wines vary a lot in their shades; Cabernet Sauvignon will be a dark, deep red, while white wines turn golden with age. To sense its smell, swirl the wine vigorously in the glass. As the wine coats the sides of the glass, it releases its bouquet of aromas. Distance between your nose and the glass also matters. Touch is the feel of wine on your tongue. Depending on the kind of wine, the edge of your tongue may feel a refreshing zing or may become flat and flabby. Tannins, usually concentrated in red wines, will feel sort of prickly on your tongue. Or you may feel a velvety softness in your mouth. Best way to taste wine is to take small quantity in your mouth, swirl it around lightly so all your taste buds are exposed and then keep it there for a brief period. Chances are you will either spit it out or consume the whole bottle! Good wine will always leave a memorable after taste in your mouth. Image: A young woman tasting wine at Bordeaux, France | Photograph: Jean-Piere Muller /AFP/Getty Images
|
1 comment:
Your article was very tasty then wine i drink! Nice one..liked and shared with face book! Thanks
QA Tester Job Description
Post a Comment