The average per capita consumption of wine is 4.6 ml, a little less than contents of a medicinal syringe per person. Ten years ago, the market for wines did not exist. But by the next two years, it could rise to as much as 7 ml. Domestic cheap wines constitute 150,000 cases per annum, domestic wines of international standard (produced by Sula, Grover) comprise 160,000 cases, wines imported in bulk and bottled here constitute 15,000 cases and imported wines comprise 50,000 cases. Wines have grown at 22% annually. The potential for wine sales in India is considered to be very large. The super premium segment with wines retailing for Rs 550 to 650 accounts for 12,500 cases with premium wines (price Rs 300/450) being a 50,000 case market. With an annual growth of about 30% since 1997, the wine market is showing a healthy upswing. Indage commands 75% of the market, while the balance is shared by Sula Vineyards and Grover Vineyards. Chateau Indage is introducing a white wine, Rhine Pride. About 50,000 bottles of Rhine Pride are expected to be sold in one year. This is the result of a joint venture between Chateau Indage and the German partners, Peter Meters, Bernakastel. It is a two-way joint venture: bulk bottling of the Indian wine produced by Indage will be sold under the brand name Angoori in Germany and Rine Pride will be bottled and sold by Chateau in India.
The UB group is now trying to strongly position McDowell in the wine market. It has a presence in the wine market through its alliance with the Italian wine maker, Bosca. The $100 million Sogrape group, owner of Mateus Rose - the largest branded wine in the world with sales of over one mn cases a year, is holding talks with the United Breweries group for a possible tie-up.
Rampur Distilleries planned to launch imported wines into India. Announcing an exclusive distribution tie-up with Ernest & Gallo the company envisaged importing ten of the foreign company's popular wine brands including Carlo Rossi, Turning Leaf, Wine Cellars and Gallo of Sonoma Country. Moet-Hennessy, the makers of Champagnes and Cognacs, set-up a subsidiary in India in anticipation of the lifting of quantitative restrictions from April 2001. The arm called Moet-Hennessy India is a subsidiary. Its champagnes include the famous Dom Perignon, and others like Moet and Chandon, Mercier and Ruinart. Major Cognac brands include Hennessy. Moet Hennessey's market share is in the region of 30% of the champagnes market. Wine specialist, Astoria of Italy, was planning to enter into India and to introduce seven wine variants, such as Fragound Rosso, Cold Lemon Wine and Blanco, which include table and sparkling wines.
