When foreign sommeliers come to India, they come with very low expectations. After all, India is better known for its cotton industry than wine production. However that is now changing.
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Nice article with good chronological background. Sula became no.1 producer last year.The most important aspect of their quality is that they are now consistent. However,if Sula produced 3million liters, it was certainly not 75% of Indian wine but much less proportion. And they sold about 1.8 million liters.Regarding Karnataka imposing high state duties, it is Maharashtra which has been doing it for the last 8 (EIGHT) years. Karnataka only retaliated last year- rather reciprocated-8 years too late. Moreover, profitablity on record for 2008-09 had dropped to less than $400,000 due perhaps to introduction of several low-priced brands introduced helping only the top line. They are expected to remain the biggest and most profitable company this year with sales perhaps touching 2.4 m liters. Subhash Arora, President-Indian Wine Academy
on Feb 7, 2010