| First Indo-French Wine Summit
This is a first, a unique encounter between the wine industries of France and India. Over 400 companies are ready to meet each other not only to exchange their wine cultures but also to learn and open up to new partnerships.
From 1st to 3rd of October, the cities of Paris and Bordeaux will receive a unique Indian business delegation, which will travel to France for the creation of a platform for better awareness of the wine sector in both the countries.
Several institutions and companies have come together for mounting this event. The summit is being organised by FINSB or Franco Indian Network for Sustainable Business, in collaboration with the Nashik Valley Wine Producers Association, Media India, - the leading European media company which publishes INDIA & You, INDES and Destino La India magazines and promotes India as a business and tourism destination across 45 countries. Other key organizers include Mumbai-based Birla Viking Travels, (a Yash Birla Group company), Arpels Finance, a Paris-based mergers and acquisitions company that has already been active in the domain of wines. Other key partners for the event include the Embassy of India in France, key ministries in India and France and leading Indian players like Grover Wines, Sula Wines, Indage, Vinsura, Air India, Bank of Maharashtra, Air India, National Horticultural Mission, Bordeaux Wine Association, wine institutes in France.
France is historically one of the biggest quality producers of wine and India is experiencing a major boom in this sector as the Indian market for wine is growing at 25-30 per cent per year. Even though it may still be a small market, its potential is attracting an increasing number of overseas producers. India is in effect a giant market with over a billion inhabitants, even if it is a small player on the global wine map. The national consumption of wine is estimated at 5 million litres a year, with one million litre imported wine. The per capita consumption is less than 5 ml, but most expect this to double in a few years. The demand is increasing mainly because of the changed perception of wine in India and also due to changing lifestyles. While a few years ago, wine was rare to find in India, now it is widely available and has almost become part of lifestyle of some sections of the urban population.
Another reason behind the growth is the policy of the Indian government that is now actively promoting wine, instead of restricting as it used to be. Easier import-export, lower customs duty and also lower taxes and a positive opinion of the government have all contributed to the growth in this sector. Another factor that could boost wine is the promotion of wine tourism as an increasing number of vineyards start to open their gates to tourists seeking overnight stay amidst the vineyards. As the wine is becoming more popular in the Indian market, the Indian producers have started to increase their production and the imports are also growing at a healthy rate. It has become a necessity, almost an obligation, for the foreign producers to be present in India and to grow their network here. The majority of imports originate in Europe but other countries are also coming up, notably the United States, Australia, South Africa, Chili etc. The competition is becoming more and more severe and the leaders have to struggle to retain their position. But India is not an interesting market only for selling the French wines, but also for their technology, know-how and skills in developing the Indian wine industry. On the one hand, the Indian wine is getting better known around the world, with its major brands, Grover, Sula and Indage, which have really opened the doors and given an identity and a brand image for Indian wine across the globe.
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