There was a time that the conventional wisdom was that European wine
grapevine Vitis vinifera flourished in regions of moderate temperatures
between 30 to the 40 to 50 percent degrees of longitude in both the north and south hemispheres. It was also evident that there were numerous yet inaccessible wine regions within that area – as new developing regions of China illustrate.
However, vines thrive in the midst of these latitudes in both the south and
north. A most intriguing places, because of the tropical climate lies on the Indian
subcontinent, namely Nashik Valley. Nashik Valley in the state of Maharashtra.
It is located in the Nashik Valley in Maharashtra
India’s very first and sole Master of Wine, Sonal Holland, states that the current
Indian wine industry didn’t start until the middle into the new millennium. Although
wine is made across a number of Indian states however, the most prominent one
is Maharashtra that represents two-thirds of Indian the country’s wine manufacturing. Around 3.5 hours north of Mumbai Maharashtra’s wine
business has its roots in Nashik Valley, along the Godavari River. It has a long
tradition of table grapes being grown which is why it was destined to become
India’s most renowned wine-producing region. Holland declares: “We are scarily
close to the equator, which is 20 degrees latitude. It’s a tropical climate which is
tempered by the altitude. Big banyan vineyard is one of the prominent vineyards of
India. Do plan to visit it if you are really looking forward to experience one
A February Harvest at altitude
The altitude range of 550-600m over sea-level is offered with the Deccan Plateau
while the Trimbakeshwar Range located in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra
protects the region from winds that come from the north. “The vines are not
dormant and are subject to two phases of development,” Holland says. The grapes
that are ripe in October and September are cut off and then thrown away while the
one that comes after the dry, cooler winter months is utilized which is why, despite
being located situated in northern Europe the Nashik harvest begins in February.
Style-conscious Diversity and Investment
Holland says that all types of wines are produced including reds that are unoaked
or oaked, roses, whites, late-harvest styles , and sparkling wines. The varieties that
are grown are most well-known international varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz,
Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay However, Holland is keen to highlight the fact
that Tempranillo, Sangiovese and Grillo are as well. “We are working on
advancement in the field of the winemaking process. However, there has been
substantial investment which has resulted in greater and more solid quality that
wine can be,” the woman says. “Wine is extremely fashionable as the fastest-
growing drink category in India in the present, showing an increase of double-digits
over the last decade.”
Market Problem
Although India is a vast yet vastly inaccessible market however, it also presents huge difficulties. Holland exposes the paradox of the situation as follows “On one hand, we’re one of the nations with over 1 billion people, more than half of whom are legal drinkers. We are the most youthful population in the world that is keen to try any kind of alcohol along with wine coolers drinks. However, the industry of alco beverage in India is bound by extremely tax burdens as well as a complex regulation system that is based on outdated laws. Between these two is an enormous opportunity to India’s Indian alcohol industry.”
It could be a long time until a large amount of Indian wine is exported. certain
wines are accessible in UK as well as in other countries too However, Falstaff tried
a few samples that came from Nashik Valley.