Vijay Mallya is looking to acquire or partner with international wine firms in France, South Africa and parts of South America. Wine production is an attractive segment, growing at 30 per cent in India for his company McDowell. The company is also looking to acquire a local wine producer.

India has been pressing for greater access to the European Union markets, while the EU has called on New Delhi not to block agricultural products such as wine and cheese. Needless to say, the Indian wine industry is conflicted with regards to regulation.

Champagne Indage said on Wednesday it had entered into a memorandum of understanding with UK-based Harvey Miller Wine Agencies Ltd. to acquire a wine distribution company called McKinley Vintners. Harvey Miller will import, sell and promote brands of the Indian company in the UK. This is good news for consumers in the UK who will have greater access to Indian wines now.

Sopexa, (the Food and Beverage Marketing and Promotion Board of France) has launched wine appreciation courses for third year hotel management students across India. Their goal is to raise the general awareness and appreciation of French wines in India. Sopexa is giving students access to French wines and knowledge via a visiting faculty of oenologists and sommeliers.

The Russian Economic Development and Trade Minister German Gref proposed providing state support to begin exporting Russian wine to India. He had given Indian officials two cases of Russian wine on a recent trip to India. Soon after India expressed an interest in buying quality Russian wine for the domestic market.

Wine in India is no more going to be a southern phenomena if Chateau Indage and Sula Vineyards have their way. According to The Economic Times both wine producers are keen to extend wine production to the north and specifically to Punjab. They are both also looking to open wine bars.

The Indian mainstream press continues to capture the Indian wine revolution. Here the Times of India discusses the Indian wine market and how much it is expected to grow. However, even in ten years time the Indian market is projected to grow to 5 million cases as against China's 50 million cases today.

India's wine major Champagne Indage is diversifying into production of a range of products like jams, cosmetics and medicines using the energy and nutrient packed Himalayan berry, seabuckthorn.

Ushering in a major change in the Capital's hospitality industry, the Delhi High Court on Thursday lifted the restriction on women serving liquor at public places. The Delhi High Court declared that the 1914 act prohibiting women from serving behind a bar was unconstitutional. This helps the beverage industry and wine specifically.

The government of the Indian state of Maharashtra has decided to raise the special excise duty on imported wines from the existing INR100 (US$2.26) a litre to INR200. The measure is aimed at supporting the domestic wine industry. Currently 30,000 cases of wine are imported versus domestic sales of 200,000 cases.

Models took part in the traditional crushing of grapes during Chateau Indage's annual wine festival in Mumbai on Christmas day. Chateau Indage is one of India's largest wine producers and was setup in 1982 in technical collaboration with Champagne Technologie of France.

According to The Tribune, Chandigarh wine enthusiasts in the Punjab are getting more and more shopping options everyday. Most recently, Jalandhar has gotten a Wine Studio in its posh Lajpat Nagar market. It includes a huge variety of Indian and imported wines.

Himachel Indage, a subsidary of Champagne India Limited is setting up twin wineries at Nagwain (Mandi) and Pragati Nagar (Shimla) with an investment of Rs. 60 crores. The company has signed an MOU with the Himachel Pradesh government for a joint venture and is set to launch the project shortly said S.G Chougle, Chairman of Himachel Indage.