Oct 11, 1999

 INDIA TODAY    | HOME

In Wine Country
The first batch of home-grown spirit may be out in the next 10 years. For those who can't wait, Chateau Indage launched Wente Indage Chardonnay and Wente Indage Merlot in a tie-up with the 150-year-old Wente Vineyards of Livermore, California, at Narayangaon near Pune last week. For a start, said Eric Wente, CEO of Wente Vineyards, the wine will be imported in bulk from California and bottled here. "Ultimately, we plan to grow these varieties of grapes in Narayangaon." In most countries, over 90 per cent of grapes find their way into wineries; in India it's less than 1 per cent. But, Wente adds, "The joint venture aims to create a mini-California in the Sahyadri valley. A significant quantity of Californian vines will be planted in India."

For the moment, the focus is on the newly launched wines. Priced at Rs 1,200-1,400 a bottle, Chardonnay -- a crisp wine with a pear and apple flavour -- and Merlot with its hint of currants and soft plum, will be marketed and distributed all over India. In the first year, they will be available primarily at five-star hotels, and also at some select restaurants and bars. This is one of three joint ventures that Chateau Indage has worked into its strategy, the other two being with Peter Mertes of Germany and Taillan from the Bordeaux region of France. So there's plenty more to come.

-Kanchan Apte