Although wine accounted for only 0.45% of total sales of 9 liter cases of alcohol in India in 2012, the wine market is growing at 13% annually – faster than any other alcoholic beverage. Sula Vineyards, established in 1999 and one of the 65 wineries in India produced 550,000 cases of wine in 2012 and expects this number to climb by 25% in 2013. Greater exposure to western cultural ideals and disposable income allowing Indian citizens to travel to wine-drinking countries has played a large part in driving the popularity and acceptance of wine drinking by both men and women in India. India now exports wine to 22 countries and as the industry expands, top quality vineyard land is becoming significantly more expensive. In Nashik, Maharashtra, one of the top wine growing regions in the country, vineyard land can sell for $250,000 per acre.
To receive relevant news stories with summaries provided by GAI Research & Insight, subscribe to Global AgDevelopments, our free bi-weekly enhanced eNews service