Domestic wine brands are seen as inferior to imported wines in India. Imported wines are preferred for gifting too, as it is considered a status symbol. Consequently, good quality home-grown brands do not get mass appeal, according to a study -- "India Wine Insider 2017”, a survey of the urban Indian wine consumer released on Tuesday by Sonal Holland, Master of Wine and Founder of the Sonal Holland Wine Academy.Domestic wines don’t score high for personal consumption as well. They are considered ‘value for money’ or in other words cheap. Hence, they are not preferred for gifting or for a party. This is contrary to some good wines produced by a few wine producers in the country, says Holland.According to the report, it is largely a domestic wine-driven market with low frequency of wine purchases and relatively lower spending on wine that drives the Indian market because consumers are price sensitive. Price remains the most important choice cue for consumers. Other important choice cues when choosing wine are familiarity of brand name, country of origin and the colour of wine.

Consumers’ understanding of wine is limited; however, awareness and consumption are positively related. Other than colour, there is very little involvement with other wine styles; names of regions and grape varieties remain under-developed cues. This points to the nascence of the wine market in India, and the scope for educating and involving the consumer, the survey said.Another interesting trend highlighted in the survey was that a large number of consumers, around 50 percent, prefer ordering wine by the glass in restaurants. Consumers are price conscious. Wines are largely sold in the range of Rs 600 and Rs 2,000 for a bottle. However, restaurants sell wines not less than Rs 300 and Rs 350 a glass. At fine dining and five star restaurants, the prices are very steep. Consumers prefer to guzzle it by the glass than buy a bottle though the latter works out economical.Women are now willing to buy wine in a big way and also as frequently as men, reveals the report. Women form an important segment increasingly and hence should not be ignored by wine producers in the country.  

They are willing to buy wines 10 to 15 percent  in the Rs 600 to Rs 1,500 price bracket unlike men, finds the survey.A reason for women preferring to drink wine is the perception that it is a healthy option. “Women feel less inhibited to drink wine in cultures that look down upon consumption of hard liquor,” says Holland. There is this perception among women, said Holland, that wine is a healthy drink with some claiming it improves skin, hair, et al.Wine production in India, though still at a nascent stage, is likely to reach 37 million litres by 2018 from 17 million litres estimated in 2015, according to a study.The year-on-year growth rate has clocked five percent, according to the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham). "Clocking a CAGR of about 20 percent, wine consumption in India is likely to reach about 37 million litres by 2018 from the level of 18 million litres as of 2014," the study said.Mumbai leads in wine consumptionWhile Mumbai remains India’s largest wine consumption market, Delhi shows an evolved culture with higher share consumption of international wines over domestic wines, coupled with a higher propensity for wine spends than Mumbai.

Bangalore and Pune are vibrant wine markets. Consumers in these two cities show equal preference for both domestic and international wines across a range of styles, regions and varieties; willingness to pay higher price points, pointing to a rapidly emerging wine culture.Goa, on the other hand, displays a preference for consuming wines largely at home with high prevalence of inexpensive Indian wines in their drinking portfolio, the survey reveals.best wine cooler companyYounger consumers represent a promising market segment for the wine industry. best wine 2014 canadaContrary to popular trade belief that the younger segment does not know how to appreciate wine, the study reveals that 25-34 year olds are purchasing wine as often as the older consumers. wine under 5 a bottle

They show a strong preference for international wines over domestic wines and drink wines to appear classy, sophisticated and intelligent. Their positive attitude towards wine and aspiration to drink better quality wines positions them as tomorrow’s frequent, loyal wine drinkers."There is more awareness needed of wine producers in the country. Also, wine lists in restaurants have to go beyond a few wines to more varieties and better selections, said Holland, adding that the Indian wine industry is relatively new and will take some years to mature.best selling australian wineThe survey was conducted across 879 consumers (half of it in women) in five centres -- Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore and Goa, aged over 25 years and permanent residents of India in the 'A' category social economic status who consumed wine at least once in six months.corner wine bar

The popularity of wine in India has started growing rapidly. Along with it, India is also experiencing a boom in wine tourism. Many Indian vineyards now have tasting rooms, so wine enthusiasts can enjoy exploring India's wine regions. It's often possible to complete the experience by staying at at the vineyards.India's main wine region is Nashik, around four hours northeast of Mumbai, in Maharashtra. However, there are also some reputable wineries scattered further south in India. good wine to have with chocolateVisit these vineyards to enjoy some of the best wine in India.top selling wines of 2015 Sula Vineyards is India's most popular winery. top 10 wine regions of the worldFrom humble beginnings in 1999, Sula Vineyards has admirably developed into a world class winery with a market share of more than 70% in India. best cheap wine bars nyc

The winery is open to visitors, who can enjoy a tour, tastings, courses, and fun events including the immensely popular SulaFest that's held in early February each year. Little Italy restaurant serves delicious Italian cuisine to complement the wine.Sula Vineyards established India's first vineyard resort, called Beyond. It has 32 rooms with private balconies situated a short distance from the winery. There's also a restaurant, swimming pool, spa and gym, and games room. Package rates start from 8,000 rupees per night for a couple. Read reviews of Beyond on Tripadvisor. Location: On the outskirts of Nashik, off Gangapur-Savargaon Road, 20 minutes from town. continue reading below our video 5 Tips to Make Coach Feel Like First Class Grover Vineyards, one of India's oldest wine makers situated near Bangalore in Karnataka, merged with Maharashtra-based Vallée de Vin (producer of premium wine brand Zampa) in 2012 to better compete with Sula. Established as a family business in 1988, Grover Vineyards has expanded to over 410 acres.

The winery focuses on producing premium wines, with the standout being its award winning La Reserve brand of oak matured Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz reds. There are extensive wine trails across the property, and it's also possible to visit the winery's barrel room. Three and a half hour tours followed by lunch start daily at 10.30 a.m. Read reviews of Grover Zampa Vineyards.Shorter tours and tastings are also offered at the ambient but much smaller Maharashtra vineyard, with its attractive courtyards. You can enjoy a variety of wines there, including Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and sparkling Rose and Brut. Location: Nandi Hills, around 50 kilometers north of Bangalore in Karnataka. Sanjegaon, around halfway between Igatpuri and Nashik, just off the Mumbai-Nasik Highway in Maharashtra. Located not far from Sula Vineyards, and with a view over Gangapur Dam and the hills beyond, boutique York Winery is where you should head for serene sunset tastings.

The tasting room is open daily from noon until 10 p.m.  Tours are also offered from 12.30 p.m. until 6 p.m.York Winery has won a range of awards for its wine varieties, both red and white.  However, most impressive is its Arros reserve blend of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, released in late 2014. York also released its own sparkling wine, York Sparkling Brut, near the end of 2014. It's made from 100% Chenin Blanc grapes. Charosa Vineyards was set up on a sprawling 230 acres of land in 2008 but didn't enter the wine market until late 2013. It targets the premium segment and has three different labels at various price points: Reserve, Pleasures, and Selection.Charosa introduced Tempranillo, a grape of Spanish origin, to the Indian market for the first time.  Its Reserve Tempranillo has drawn many accolades and is perhaps the pick of the wines. However, the Sauvignon Blanc is refreshingly good for a white wine in India and Charosa produces the best Voignier too.It's possible to visit the vineyard and sample the wine, although lack of decent roads from Nashik is a limiting factor. 

It's a narrow, winding journey to get there.Location: Charosa village, around 55 kilometers (one hour) from Nashik in the Dindori district. Fratelli (meaning "brothers" in Italian) was stated in 2007 by three pairs of brothers from Italy, Delhi, and Maharashtra. This remote vineyard produces some excellent reserve wines on its 240 acre estate. The outstanding Sette reserve red is among the best red wine in India. Its introduction has been followed up by the launch of two reserve white wines in 2014 -- Vitae (a Chardonnay) and Vitae Tre (a blend of Muller Thurgau, Gewürztraminer and Chenin Blanc).A full day package costs 1,500 rupees per person, including tours and tastings. However, it's recommended that you stay at least one night in the winery's modern accommodations, as it's not easy to reach. A weekend overnight package costs 11,000 rupees for a couple, and a two night rejuvenation package costs 19,000 rupees for a couple. This is fully inclusive.  It's much cheaper during the week.