Readers' Comments

Gerry Dawes Says:

Dear Subhash, In answer to George Truby's comment "I have just read your site text on Cava, said to be written and copywritten by Gerry Dawes." First off, it is not "said to be written and copywritten by Gerry Dawes!" Does Mr. Truby doubt that I wrote the article? Secondly, I am a great admirer of Champagne. In fact, all three of my daughters tasted Pol Roger before they tasted mother's milk. I put drops on their lips the moment they were born. However, does Mister Truby deny that Cava is made by the "Champagne method," i.e., methode champenoise? Sorry, George, but as of today, the use of "methode champenoise" on Cava labels has been judged as a no-no in international courts, but as far as I know the use of the term in an article to describe the process is not illegal, unless the French have managed to pass a censorship law that includes publication of the term in both the United States and in India. I am sorry to tell you that I will not submit to your self-interested attempts at said censorship.

Posted @ March 2, 2010 11:54

Fernando Maturana . Says:

Dear Mr. Arora, First of all, let me take this opportunity to congratulate you for the fantastic work you have done with your webpage. This is a fantastic resource to bring the wine to people, educate them and give them useful tips to familiarize with the different varieties. Receive my kindest regards,

Posted @ February 26, 2010 15:14

Reba Ghose Says:

Roopak you may purchase a Ruffino CC at the Spencers Supermarket Gurgaon.

Posted @ February 26, 2010 15:00

Subhash Arora Says:

Thanks for pumping up the volume of adrelin. It is a pity and lack of knowledge about the Portuguese wines that have precluded them from the Indian imports. They offer great value-for-money wines. I see them making a break in future, for sure-let the market expand a little (I hope sonner and faster). Subhash Arora

Posted @ February 23, 2010 16:58

Carrie Jorgensen Says:

Congratulations on the high calibre of your opinions and blogs! I find your information very stimulating, and although unfortunately India is not included in the list of countries where we export our Portuguese wine, of great interest to our wine business. Keep up the good work!

Posted @ February 23, 2010 16:56

Rajiv Seth Says:

Mr. Arora since you have mentioned such a well written report - wine in the world as we approach 2050, I will like to draw the attention of readers from an extract of this report. Which is very interesting. The report claims "Since 1950, geographical zone that is favorable to vine culture (mean temperature between 10C and 20C) has moved by 80 to 240 km towards the poles (according to G. Jones). According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), an increase of one degree in temperature equals a displacement of nearly 160 km to the north. With the higher temperatures that are forcasted (1.4C to 5.8C over 100 years), one can imagine that, considering the current state of things, the most threatened vineyards worldwide will be those in regions that have a Mediterranean climate: France, Spain, Australia, South Africa and California. The consequences will be excessive heat, drought and soil erosion".Perhaps this will place India and China in a dominating position. Who knows.

Posted @ February 23, 2010 16:48

kskarnic Says:

The farmers of maharastra are having difficult times. The unseeming hurry of few enterprenuers venturing into crushing grapes appears amatuerish. They have been fooled by so called market experts. Indian citizen has his own choices and the change or switchover would come with difficulty. The present situation of wineries appears similar to the one faced by floriculture industry during 90s'.Only very few copanies have survived out of more than hundred which came into existance banking on wrong information and policies. let good sense prevail in the farmers.

Posted @ February 23, 2010 16:45

Venki Says:

Subhash, I agree. They should allow free to import the wine. Venki

Posted @ February 23, 2010 16:30

Tony Devitt Says:

Hi Subhash, The oversupply problem sounds familiar. In Australia we currently have 100 million cases of excess wine and we may produce 300-500,000 tonnes of grapes more than we need this vintage. There are a number of reasons why this situation has occurred. To be able to get out of this bad situation it is most important to keep Government away. Government schemes aiming to help resolve a market situation cause more problems. Let the market sort it out. As I have said several times on your blog increasing tariffs on imports (again Government) will cause greater problems down the track as your industry becomes isolated and like ours losses focus on what it can do best. In our case it is to produce high quality distinctive regional wines. At the moment our offer to the World is being dominated by cheap, undistinguished, "critter" labeled bottles of wine. Through no fault of our own Australia has been blessed with some of the best grape growing climates in the World so we should focus our attention on making wines that display this fact. There are very few countries (or regions) that can say that. Any serious wine drinker should be seeking out the top Australian wines (along with the top French, Spanish etc.) wines. Like us your industry needs to take a reality check and for many that means looking at top international wines and comparing them what ius being produced at "home". Your producers need to understand very quickly that the beverage market is the most competitive in the World. Best wishes, Tony.

Posted @ February 23, 2010 16:23

Ashok Shah Says:

Good Profile Covered.

Posted @ February 23, 2010 16:10

Sanjoy Gomes at Kolkata Says:

To The Chef Dieter,How are you.Now I am staying at Calcutta(Kolkata). Were are you.I thing you are member me.I am working with you at Grand Hyatt Muscat.We are all miss you.I wish you and Thanks ,From Sanjoy Gomes. Mob.No.0091 9804789284 .

Posted @ February 23, 2010 16:00

Subhash Arora Says:

We never implied that Merlot was inferior variety. It is the gullible  and fickle minded Americans who need to be shown a 2-hour movie
and change opinion for life, about a grapel, still predominant as a varietal and of course in the Bordaux blends on both the banks. But that is how media can brain wash you! I wonder whatever happened to the pro-Merlot movie that was being produced , though. But the fact remains that Merlot does sell at lower prices in South of France- we quoted the prices given in the press only.
Subhash Arora 

Posted @ February 23, 2010 15:52

Avtar Sandhu Says:

In my previous comment I had mentioned that Merlot is a superior garpe. The movie Sideways had created an incorrect perception about Pinot Noir. Less expensive does not mean inferior. Please change your attitude on this.

Posted @ February 23, 2010 15:50

Roopak Kapoor Says:

where can one buy chianti classico wines in delhi?

Posted @ February 23, 2010 15:40

M.BABU Says:

Dear Mr Abhay, I wish Mr Abhay & Team All the best in starting the 4S wine Tavern in Bangalore, & hope they do start even in chennai. M.BABU

Posted @ February 08, 2010 16:44

Faye Cardwell - IEM Says:

Nice read. Liked the bit about the names – you’re right, for a non Italian speaker can be a nightmare with them all being so similar! Keep up the good work! Faye

Posted @ February 08, 2010 16:29

AKHAND PRATAP SINGH Says:

I want to know 10 brand name of spain wine and 10 brand name of indian wine.and 10 brand name of american wine and 10 brands name of australian wine.thanks

Posted @ February 03, 2010 17:50

Ashok Shah Says:

good profile coverage.

Posted @ February 03, 2010 13:26

Robert Joseph Says:

Just after posting my comment, I read the news that an English wine - Nyetimber - had just beaten 51 sparkling wines including Bollinger and Roederer in a blind tasting in Italy. The wimemaker was quoted as saying "This isn't the end. We want to do more and go further by pushing the industry as a whole. English sparkling wine can compete with Champagne on the world stage. There's an exciting momentum in the improvement of quality at the moment."

Posted @ February 03, 2010 13:10

Robert Joseph Says:

As a long-standing friend and admirer of Steven Spurrier, and as a veteran chairman-organiser of over 50 international competitions across the globe, I'll refrain from commenting on the proportion of medals given by the SIWC.

Each event is different, with its own collection of wines and tasters. I will, however, happily stand by the results of the three IWC events, and the fact that Indian wines did not receive more top awards. The Indian wine industry is one of the youngest in the world, both in terms of the age of its vineyards and the experience of the winemakers. By comparison, New Zealand, which has just celebrated its third decade of growing Sauvignon Blanc is almost a veteran.

I hope that someone else will run a local competition that sets Indian wines against each other and before a set of Indian judges and hands out Gold Medals for the most successful. That's simply not the role I believe to be appropriate for an outsider like myself. Our role is to see how Indian wines perform on an international playing field. Just as it is in London to see how English wines fare against examples from other countries. At the IWC in the UK, we never strove to tilt the pitch in favour of the local wines, which is why the occasional success of English sparkling wines against Champagne has been taken so seriously across the world.

Indian wines are definitely improving with every vintage, but quality control - essential to maintain consistency - remains a big problem. Today, within one state, Indian wines - or at least the ones produced in that state - have a price advantage over others. The situation is a little different elsewhere, In Delhi and Goa for example, Indian wines are less helped by dice loaded in their favour. For an Indian Sauvignon or Chenin to be chosen instead of one from New Zealand or France in those places, it will have to be of a comparable quality. And that's where the validity of our medals will be so important.

With regard to the cost of the competition, in this respect I do sympathise with the points that have been made within India. I was not personally involved in deciding the entry price and would certainly like to see this reviewed in the future - at least in the case of wines produced in India, and possibly wines that have already been imported. Having - with Charles Metcalfe - run my first International Wine Challenge way back in 1984, I've become increasingly aware that each year brings its own set of lessons that need to be learned. I look forward to hearing constructive comments from within and outside the Indian wine industry.

Posted @ February 03, 2010 13:04

Subhash Arora Says:

Thanks for your comments, Charles. They will be published tomorrow. I for one have always felt that the Gold should be a SOLID Gold. Unfortunately, in another competition held recently with Steven as the Chairman, the philosophy was to be quite liberal, with even mediocre wines getting the Gold. I am glad you are helping in setting the direction right. Hope things are as well as they can be in the biting cold of England this time of the year.Cheers Subhash in Verona 

Posted @ February 02, 2010 10:34

Charles Metcalfe Says:

Robert Joseph and I founded the International Wine Challenge (IWC) in 1983. Although Robert is no longer involved, the IWC is still one of the most widely-respected international competitions in the world. We have never given even 4% of our entry Gold medals. Highest was at the 2009 IWC, when nearly 3.5% won Golds. Welcome to the real world of properly-judged wine competitions, India!

Posted @ February 02, 2010 10:20

Rajiv Seth Says:

Jeremy,you are absolutely right,and in this regard I have already suggested the chairman of Indian grape processing Board to initiate the membership of World Wine Trade Group and enter in MAA( Mutual Acceptence Agreement). Since the IGPB will be formulating its Draft on regulating Indian Wine Standards and Labelling guidlines this year FTA with Australia and othre world wine trade group members can only be initiated after all this but certainly India will negotiate a number of FTA's in wine industry in years to come.

Posted @ February 01, 2010 12:27

Jeremy Oliver Says:

Rajiv, while your insightful comments on the EU and its subsidies certainly carry some weight, surely therefore the Indian government structure should waive its 150% base import duty on wines from countries like Australia, where instead of receiving Government subsidies, the wine industry is taxed with a 10% GST before a 29% Wine Equalisation Tax at wholesale? Based on your views and reasons for viewing what others call 'protectionism' as 'Vino Exceptionalism', you might therefore be sufficiently sympathetic to the exceptional circumstances in which Australian wine producers operate, in an entirely fiscal different environment to their counterparts in the EU? Perhaps there is a logical basis for a FTA on wine between Australia and India?

Posted @ January 29, 2010 17:47

Charles Reinhardt Says:

How do I become a member of the club and what are the procedures?? regards Charles

Posted @ January 29, 2010 16:45

Ankit Chamoli Says:

Dear sir/maam, I have been working with the research plan of the "Future of Indian Wines".Duaing my research i cam to know that there is not a single wine school in India which can imparte enough knowledge either you have to go abroad like France,U.S.A etc or forget it. total wine market in india is 1.5million lit, India produce 1.3million and imports .2million. huge market bt no wine school....

Posted @ January 28, 2010 16:00

Rajiv Seth Says:

Thank you, Ben Furst for reminding me about the grants EU and UK have been extending on India and other Third world countries. At this stage I would like to enhance your understanding that Her Majesties grants are used exectly the way they intend to be in India ie. upliftment of poor and downtroden.On the other hand I would like to demand your attention on the grants showered on our neigbours where it is used to purchase the nuclear technology from China and then sold to other nations for nuclear proliferation.You see the pilferage of wine politics will always be expensive, or so I feel.

Posted @ January 29, 2010 15:20

Ben Furst Says:

A few points I'd like to make without offending anyone. Firstly as a wine lover I would love to see more, better made Indian wines on our supermarket shelves yet if there is no free or agreed cross border wine arrangement met this alas will take along time. Additionally it means that whilst India's potential to make really good wine is there, the realisation of this may take years, which would be an economic opportunity missed by India. Also India receives Billions of EU Third World/Developing Aid Monies from the UK/EU every year, which seems strange considering that India is now wealthy enough to develop Nuclear Weapons etc, perhaps by way of maintaining these EU funds for development, a lowering of Duty for wine imports is on the face of it a small price but a big thanks as well as an opportunity!?

Posted @ January 28, 2010 16:10

Rajiv Seth Says:

Dear Alok My question is, in the absence of proper marketing channels and high label registration fee etc.small wineries are not in a position to access the markets, so they can not pose any local competion thus there is a need to create a central marketing agency for Indian wine industry and a common label on the lines of WINE AUSTRALIA LOGO under which small wineries can market their products.

Posted @ January 28, 2010 11:56

Anand Singh Says:

Advertisement in Alcohol is prohibited in India. What is the extent of such prohibition?

Posted @ January 28, 2010 11:53

S.JSHETTY Says:

It is nice read this article.Few years back wine was not very popular and consumed much in India.Only Golconda wine was available.Now market is also flooded with Indian and Imported wines. Regards Shetty Bangalore.

Posted @ January 28, 2010 11:45

Robert Joseph Says:

Rajiv raises some interesting points - though it has to be said that he's firing at a European target thats already on the retreat. Albeit slowly. The European agricultural reforms are intended to put a stop to many of the subsidies that Rajiv is talking about. Funding the uprooting of vineyards (Spain will pull up an area the size of Bordeaux this year) is intended to do away with the need for distillation dispensations. To complicate matters further, as I have discovered as editor at large of Meiningers Wine International magazine, the term "subsidy" covers a multitude of different sins, ranging from preferential bank loans in France, to grants towards exhibiting products overseas (US). My understanding is that within India, the local authorities in Maharashtra offer incentives to encourage the creation of a local wine industry. In a world where too much wine is being produced by too many individuals and under too many labels (too much to be absorbed by the current global market), some hard-line economists might reasonable prescribe a diet of cold turkey. Remove all subsidies of all kinds and see who survives. The tax issue is a separate one. The UK complies with WTO rules. British consumers pay a - by most standards, though not those of India or Ireland - high rate of duty on wine. But that duty level is applied equally to wines produced in England and wines imported from Europe.

Posted @ January 28, 2010 11:40

Joshua. S. Sweeney Says:

This is a perfect example of the problems that developed nations, both wittingly and unwittingly, inflict upon developing nations. Developed nations can afford to subsidize their exports, creating a larger and more unbalanced playing field. Developing nations have no choice but to accept the terms hoisted upon them, slowing their own economic growth and keeping them from moving into secondary and tertiary status as exporters. It's a serious detriment to doing business in a global economy if you're not on the right side to begin with.

Posted @ January 27, 2010 11:40

Alok Chandra Says:

Rajiv Seth has put numbers to European subsidies one suspected but never had the time to invetigate, and I wonder whether this system (of subsidies) is repeated in other wine-exporting countries. Wine consumers in India are hence placed in a peculiar position: imported wines are expensive because of (justifiable) high import duties, while domestic wine prices are high due to this same protectioniasm. One way to escape this 'price trap' is to have more local competition and lower taxes, so that domestic wines become better and cheaper and we are both able to afford and to want to drink them more often!

Posted @ January 27, 2010 11:35

Michael Says:

Thank you for the informative article. Regretfully there are few incentives for the EU and their members to change their ways, to the detriment of world trade.

Posted @ January 27, 2010 11:20

Subhash Arora Says:

I agree with you, Tony. But this was a legal issue-the guy should not have gone to the court. The executive decision lies with the government. WTO has been putting pressure and getting some results. The excise has been reduced by the government in Maharashtra since the case was filed by the government. The customs duties are still high but within the agreement with WTO. We need to cajole the government to understand that wine is good for health-that it is not the same as spirits, and that drinking improted wine is not necessarily luxury and that even if it is, they should charge the similar duties as on luxury products. But this may take time, a long time. It is for us to continue with our efforts.

Posted @ January 18, 2010 15:20

Subhash Arora Says:

KS, I agree with you in principle. But from the very beginning of the concept, the Board was meant to be for wine making and one was talking about the Wine Board. I could understand and appreciate it if it was called National Vine and Wine Board or Indian Vine and Wine Board. it is the strange aversion due to ignorance that is not understandable. Assuming the conversation took place as I reported and exactly as told to me, it shows the fear against talking about wine in public. Tha's what needs to be changed in our psyche through proper education, I feel.

Posted @ January 18, 2010 15:15

Subhash Arora Says:

Alok, this needs to change and you, I and thousands others have to keep at it. Don't forget that there was no wine to speak of when the practice of naming the shops started. People have to understand through education, the difference between brewing, fermentation and distillation. People have to understand the alcohol level and what it does for health. Non drinkers (I have been one, so I know) have to understand that beer and wine are not taboo. The politicians and the decision makers should now realise the difference between low alcohol products like beer and wine and the hard liquors like whisky, vodka etc.I am sure glad Karnataka took the decision of naming it Karnataka Wine Board. Subhash 

Posted @ January 18, 2010 15:10

Tony Devitt Says:

Hi Subhash, This decision is not in the best interests of the Indian wine industry and doesn't create much goodwill between wine producers overseas and the Indian Government. As you would know from other situations where discriminatory tariffs have been imposed some very negative situations have arisen. Decisions like this will isolate the Indian wine industry. Regards Tony.

Posted @ January 18, 2010 12:55

Alok Chandra Says:

Subhash What is happening is entirely understandable once we realisee that the public equates "Wine" with liqour - after all, most retail shops have the title "XYZ WINE SHOP" (never spirit shop) - so in the popular imagination, there's no distinction between low alcohol prosucst like wine or baar and high-alcohol beverages likw whisky, brands, vodka or rum.

Posted @ January 18, 2010 12:52

kskarnic Says:

As the name suggests the Grape processing board, it can oversee all sorts of processing of grapes from drying,fermentation, fresh juice and other modes of proceesing where as the wine board can only look into wine making and its marketing aspects and not any other processing where grapes are dried/crushed etc

Posted @ January 18, 2010 12:50

Dr Ariff Jamal Says:

Hi Subhash, Great article – as usual – keep up this marvellous effort of constantly keeping your readers abreast of all the wine-info in India. As the Ex-CEO of GVL allow me to welcome Neeraj Verma to this wonderful winery, but more so to this passionate industry. It was a challenging but great and memorable experience to be the “war-time-Prime-Minister” and to help GVL out of their quality and general problems and at the same time to also repair the 2008 vintage and bring in the 2009. The global financial meltdown has taken a major toll and no sector of the industry – Indian or other – has been spared. GVL has unlike all others thanks to their past heritage, managed to survive this episode with just a couple of bruises. I am convinced under the leadership of the new CEO and with his strong marketing and administrative experience and background – we shall hear more about GVL and see their wines on the world map. Message from the Ex-CEO: Team - you have a great winery in your hands, keep up the great work and remember - the sky is the limit. Best Regards, Dr. Ariff Jamal

Posted @ January 18, 2010 12:44

Jane Paull Says:

Well done Nav! - I wonder if your love affair with wine was kindled at the International College of Hotel Management in Adelaide. All the very best. Jane (your wine lecturer)

Posted @ January 18, 2010 12:36

Ankit Chamoli Says:

Dear, Mr.Subhash arora It is really very good news that Indian wins are improving, but as the taste and quality concern it still need some more efforts regarding to vineyards,e-grrapage,harvasting etc. The best 2009 sauvignon blanc being a best wine from Grovers' just cost Rs450/ it is not digestable i mean it is to low cost.What say the best quality should have the best prize.

Posted @ January 15, 2010 18:00

Vikas Gupta Says:

GREAT REPORTING, SUBTLE AND GRACIOUS..... CHEERS

Posted @ January 13, 2010 16:10

Yog Raj Says:

Dear Mr Arora How does one become a member of the Delhi Wine Club? Kind Regards Yog Raj

Posted @ January 13, 2010 15:00

Subhash Arora Says:

jaswinder- We don’t add after the article is published-only factual corrections. However, I can add above as comments. Pl confirm 

Posted @ January 13, 2010 14:42

Jaswinder Singh Says:

Thanks for the article. I wish to add that the copy of all the artworks have been written by Jagmohan Rathi. Besides, the guests will be able to taste Seagram’s Nine Hills wines till January 27.

Posted @ January 13, 2010 14:40

Kailash Verma Says:

sir, i would like to ask r u offering some courses for wine making , if it is like that so tell me the instute name and address. i m intrested to do wine making courses so plz help me .

Posted @ January 06, 2010 12:39

Subhash Arora Says:

But where you located?

Posted @ January 04, 2010 13:53

Graham Sharpe Says:

 I am wanting to do a tasting of Indian wines for our wine tasting club. Where can i buy such wines?

Posted @ January 04, 2010 13:50

Subhash Arora Says:

Thanks for pointing it out, of coure you are right. We normally do not edit the content of Guest Articles but Gerry needs to be corrected. I am personally very active in discouraging people from using the term ‘Methode Champenoise’ in India and I also stress on avoiding the usage of champagne for the sparkling wine not produced in Champagne. Moreover, I discourage through my writings the use of labels sounding similar to Champagne. Mostly I succeed-rest I leave for the Champagne authorities to tackle. Subhash Arora 

Posted @ January 02, 2010 13:39

George Truby Says:

I have just read your site text on  Cava, said to be written and copywritten by Gerry Dawes.
Both yourselves and Gerry Dawes need to acknowledge that the term, "methode champenoise," has been outlawed by the EEC since January 2001.
George Truby
Vin de Champagne Award 1978
Lanson 'Prfix du Champagne' 1998
Member: L'Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne
Judge: Union Internatiuonal des Oenologues

Posted @ January 02, 2010 13:35

Maureen Kerleau Says:

I was pleased to see the comments from Abhay and Alok putting this right. As the President of a different kind of wine club - The Bangalore Overseas Women's Wine Club, I am constantly striving to remain impartial and give every wine company equal exposure, despite pressure from all sides. Thanks to good interaction with the Bangalore Wine Club we manage to keep things on a clear course.

Posted @ December 29, 2009 13:10

Slovak-Republic.org Says:

Dear Sir/Madam,

first of all, thank you very much for providing some useful information about Slovak wines on your page:

http://www.indianwineacademy.com/item_2_210.aspx
I think that it will be very useful for your users to see a guide to Slovakia with all the necessary information about the country, more specifically about tourism, currency, weather, embassies, history, etc. The page is:

http://www.slovak-republic.org/

The most important thing is that we let people ask questions related to Slovakia and we answer them immediately (especially see the visa & embassies page for providing answers - http://www.slovak-republic.org/visa-embassies/). We also constantly improve the content according to these questions.

Have a look and if you think the website meets your quality guidelines, feel free to link to it. Thank you!

With the kindest regards,

Zdenka Kerďová

Slovak-Republic.org Team

Posted @ December 29, 2009 12:37

Rob Hope-Murray Says:

I read your article on the womens wine club with interst,i recall when i was working in Shanghai that it was the young women that were driving the wine sales,in China, this might be something i could start here in Melbourne,Australia. www.winebuyers.net.au Happy Xmas.

Posted @ December 29, 2009 12:58