India is a complex country with often competing interests that clash with one another. A recent example of this is the case of the Kharghar wine shop in Mumbai. Residents of the neighborhood are protesting its opening as they are against the availability of liquor in the educational hub.

Banners denouncing the sale of alcohol have been put up and local authorities have been urged to maintain the "no alcohol" status of the area. Residents had believed that Kharghar was a dry zone because there are several educational institutes in the area. However, the opening of the Shyam Wine Shop has proved this wrong.

City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Limited (Cidco) authorities said that as long as the wine shop was in a commercial zone there was nothing wrong. The police added that they cannot do anything as long as the wine shop is not within 500 meters of an educational institution or a place of worship.

Note, wine shops in India sell all kinds of liquor and often the number of wine bottles actually sold is very small. What do you think? Are the residents correct in protesting the opening?

The Indian Government has cut duties on liquor. The Finance Ministry has finally withdrawn all additional customs duties on imported spirit, wine and beer, following ongoing complaints from the EU and US on the high duties levied by India.

A European Commission study had reported that the combination of duties and taxes in some states in India was as high as 550% on imported spirits and 264% on wines. Abhay Kewadkar, Sanjay Menon and Alok Chandra share their opinions.

Chataue Indage organized the Indage Mega Wine Fest at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi to celebrate its 25th anniversary on June 30th, 2007. “We are holding a pan India wine festival and this is an attempt to make wine consumer friendly and to reach out to more people,” said AS Bhatia, manager of Indage’s northern region.

As the Indian Express and others reported, amidst grape stomping sessions and raunchy Punjabi pop numbers, people sipped the recently launched Ivy, Sauvignon Semillon, White Zinfandel and Vin Ballets and nibbled spicy paneer tikkas and fish fingers dipped in coriander chutney. "The whole idea of having these different stalls was to give people a new perspective on wine and to break that barrier of formality, rules and just be a free spirit and enjoy what you like," said Ajay Kumar Gothwal of Champagne Indage Ltd.

Tehelka, The People's Paper mentions Sommelier India in an article talking about the proliferation of high end magazines in India. To quote, "Examine the impact of just one category of these heralds of hyper consumerism. In the last five years, no lifestyle magazine has produced an issue without at least one column imploring you not to get those wines wrong when serving mutton curry (What, no ortolan?) Now we even have Sommelier India, a magazine devoted to wine. Is it surprising that wine sales have grown at 25 percent per year since 1998?"

It is a good sign for Indian wine when it is being featured in the media in places as far away as Canada. Straight, which is Canada's largest urban weekly, recently featured Sula Vineyards Chenin Blanc (2004) as a wine to try and said -

"This one proudly announces itself as “India’s first Chenin Blanc [grown] 100 miles from Bombay, 2,000 feet above sea level…cold-fermented in stainless steel”. It’s much sweeter at the front of the palate than most of the others in this lineup, but there is something appealing about it, even though it shows an odd aftertaste in the finish."

The Associated Press reported that India blocked a World Trade Organisation investigation of its import duties on American wine and spirits last Monday, temporarily delaying a US government complaint over allegations that Indian rules discriminate against products such as Napa Valley wine and Jack Daniel's whiskey. The article was picked up by news outlets around the world and sheds light on the issue.

The Economic Times is reporting that the Indian government has decided to scrap additional customs duty on wines and spirits. This is as per India's committment at the WTO. The bound duties still hold at 100%-150% depending upon the type of liquor. States can still levy their own taxes. Combined duties and taxes for wines are currently at 264%. They will be capped at 150% in the future.

According to The Times of India, liquor vendors across Goa are striking in protest against alleged harassment by the excise department. The excise department wants to limit the flow of alcohol during election time as they fear that it will be used to buy votes. As a result the department has filed 100 cases with around 50 permits being cancelled for violating excise laws.

This is the first time that the wholesalers are striking and it has begun to affect bars and restaurants as stocks dwindle. The liquor industry brings the treasury Rs.100 crore each year.

India's UB Group, the world's third-largest maker of spirits, is close to signing a US$1.3 billion deal to acquire Scottish whisky maker Whyte & Mackay Ltd., a news report said Monday. The UB Group had earlier setup an Indian wine company called United Vinters.

The Indo Asian News Service (IANS)& The Economic Times recently reported on the view of senior doctors at the National Health Summit. Included here is the IANS coverage.

Dismissing the widely held theory that red wine is good for health, leading Indian doctors said that no one in the world has proved the positive side of either the red wine or any category of alcohol.

Scores of leading doctors assembled in the national capital to participate in a national health summit were unanimous in their view that wine, beer or any other form of alcohol couldn't be promoted as a health enhancer.

Sommelier India does not take a stand on this issue however we recommend that you always drink in moderation. If you are a subscriber, please click on the "health" tag below to read many more articles on this subject.

Good Earth Stores with its comprehensive wine accessory section is now selling Sommelier India magazines too. With retail presences in Mumbai and Delhi, Good Earth is today recognized as a trend setting design house, with a unique aesthetic reflecting contemporary Indian Style. So the next time you're in Khan Market in Delhi or Lower Parel in Mumbai, stop by the Good Earth store to purchase a copy of Sommelier India.

Also check out their wine section, you'll find glasses, decanters and other accessories for wine lovers.