Cheers! Wine intake to double by 2010

NEW DELHI: More Indians will consume wine in the next two years. Industry body Assocham has estimated that the country’s wine consumption will nearly double to 9 million litres, from the current 5 million litres, by 2010.

“India’s wine market is likely to grow at 25% in the next two years due to rising consumption, not only among youngsters but also among the aged,” said chamber President Sajjan Jindal.

Assocham has estimated that the Indian wine market is approximately 5 million litres in terms of volume and Rs 500 crore in terms of value. Wine sales in India were 8,20,000 cases in 2007-08. Major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Pune, Bangalore and Hyderabad account for 80% of the demand for wine, the chamber said.

Rising disposable incomes, teeming under 30-years population, influence of the Western World and measures adopted by the government aimed at weaning the population off stronger drinks such as spirits have aided the growth of the wine industry.

Many state governments have reduced duties on wine, eased restrictions on distribution allowing wine to be sold in supermarkets and have provided incentives for wineries to establish new facilities, the chamber said.