India Food Company launches U&V wines in Mumbai

Aims to expand Vin & Vouloir portfolio 

Mumbai-based India Food Company Private Limited (IFCPL) has expanded its Indian wine portfolio, with the addition of U&V wines. The label consists of two wines — Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc. The wines, which were launched in mid February 2009 in Mumbai, will be made available in other parts of Maharashtra and Goa in the next two months. The wines are priced at Rs 495 in Mumbai. The company aims for an equal volume division in institutional and retail sales and will target the premium segment.

The company also has seven varietals under its Vin & Vouloir (V&V) label. These include Cabernet Sauvignon - Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Zinfandel under the red wine portfolio, Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc under the white wine category and a rosé  varietal. The company operates under contract farming. Presently, its winery in Nashik produces about 300000 litres of wine per annum and has the capacity to be increased to 500000 litres. “Besides this, we also have about two acres of land adjoining our winery, which we aim to develop eventually, in order to expand the winery,” informs Govind Holani, Director, India Food Company Private Limited.

While, the company aims to expand its distribution base for V&V wines to Goa and Bengaluru by April 2009, it will also introduce a Late Harvest Chenin Blanc by end 2009. The company plans to add a sparkling wine to its V&V label in 2010. Existing wines under the V&V label cost between Rs 540 to Rs 900. “We are targeting premium segment wine drinkers across India. Our wines are also produced with 100 per cent of the varietals mentioned on our bottles,” Holani adds.