A staggering 2.12 crore litres of wine is lying unsold for the past few months across vineyards in Maharashtra. Wine producers have been forced to cut production dramatically as the global recession has taken its toll on the wine industry. It is not only affecting the vineyard owners but also the farmers and importers. Everyone is suffering and the terrorist attacks in Mumbai last winter only made matters worse.

List of champagnes Sommelier India Editor tasted at
The Champagne Experience at Amanbagh. See post above about Amanbagh. All these champagnes are available in India.

At least that's what the American wine industry has charged New Delhi. Despite its commitment before the World Trade Organisation (WTO), India has "enacted highly protectionist trade policies" that negate concessions to the multi-lateral trade body, said James Gore of the JBClawson International before the US International Trade Commission's hearing on 'India: Effects of Tariffs and Non-Tariff Measures on US Agricultural Experts'. Press Trust of India has the story.

Mumbai-based Bacchus Bartending Academy (BBA) is planning to introduce new training centers across Mumbai. They will be in Navi Mumbai, Malad and a second in South Mumbai. Targeting both consumers and professionals, the academy educates its students on all facets of bartending with one day courses for amatuers to twelve week courses for professionals. The academy is also tying up with vineyards like Reveilo Vineyards in Nashik for tours as part of the curriculum.

Spencer's Retail Limited, one of India's largest multi-format food retailers, has launched a wide range of wines at its 75,000 sq. ft. flagship store in South City Mall in Kolkata. The wine and beer shop-in-shop is spread on 450 sq. ft (approx) and boasts of 180 brands of imported wine.

The restaurant was called Colonial, but the accent of the evening was definitely modern European. The evening of 1st April saw an unusual wine tasting initiated by old Bangalore boy Ash Rajan, back home on a trip from his high-powered job with Merril Lynch in the US, writes Ruma Singh. This was also an opportunity for him to indulge in his latest passion -- talking about wine.

According to statistics released by the state excise department in Pune, revenue collection in terms of percentage growth over the last financial year (2007-08) for alcohol has gone down to 9% from 14%. Similarly, the sale of wine has recorded 19.52% growth -- from 3.55 lakh litres in 2007-08 to 4.24 lakh litres in 2008-09. Yet, the growth pales in comparison to the 52% registered last year over the 2.34 lakh litres wine sale in 2006-07.

International Wine Consulting (IWC) is organising a business tour, "Wine for & from India" in Bordeaux between June 20 and 25, 2009 during Vinexpo, the most important international Wine and Spirits exhibition in France. Wine for & from India has been specially conceived for players in the Indian wine sector to discover the latest trends, meet prominent decision makers and share business strategies.

Every day more and more people subscribe to Sommelier India, The Wine Magazine across India and around the world. Many also buy the magazine in retail at hotel and independent book stores in the major Indian cities. And most wine clubs in India have taken bulk subscriptions for its members. As a result, we're happy to announce that The Wine Society of India led by David Banford also offers Sommelier India to all its members across the country as a part of their member benefits.This means more Indians are reading Sommelier India with more visibility for our advertisers. Renowned wine personality, Steven Spurrier is chairman of the Board of Wine Advisors of The Wine Society of India of which SI editor, Reva Singh is also a member. The Wine Society of India offers a variety of specialised programmes and is one of the best ways to receive exceptional quality wines at modest prices in India.

With IFE and InterAds dissolving their joint venture, IFE India 2009 has been cancelled. Neither party is willing to comment on whether there will be an IFE-India 2010. While IFE-India has had mixed results, the bigger loss in this is the India Wine Challenge which has gone from strength to strength each year. We hope that the India Wine Challenge will find a new home. Maybe with IFOWS or possibly with the India International Wine Fair?

Don't let the economy push you into drinking bad wine, says Reva Singh. Instead, drink better for less money! You may already have a favourite wine that is easy on the wallet, but UB's newly released Four Seasons 100% varietals score well in the quality-to-price-ratio scale. The wines were introduced to members of The Wine Society, Delhi, at a dinner last week.

The news of wine from other fruits comes at a time when the 58 grape wineries in north and western Maharashtra are in crisis due to a drop in demand, with many brands apparently dishonouring contracts with grape growers.

Aspri Spirits has added domestic wine producer Indus Vineyards to its portfolio and will be doing marketing and distribution for it. The contract is on a mutual exclusivity basis and Aspri holds the rights to distribute and market the wines of the producer in the country and internationally.

The EU and Italian government focus on F&B promotion in India.
EAT (European Art of Taste) is a programme supported by the European Union and Italian Government that promotes the best of European food and wine. By lending its support, the European Union guarantees the quality, authenticity and safety of the products.

Following on the heels of its successful second mission to India, which included a series of promotional food events in November and culminated in two familiarisation tours in December 2008 and February 2009 to Italy, Opera announces a further series of programmes in May as a part of its third mission to India.