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Countries index – Winemaking – Grapes
| India: For the last couple of decades, the demand for wine has increased enormously, and in order to meet the demand, India imports annually a significant quantity of wine and has doubled the size of the production within its boundaries. India has had viticulture since the 500 BCE when the Persians imported the techniques. Grape-based drink was mentioned in the 4th c by the chief minister to Emperor Chandragupta Maurya. From the 16th c -19th c alcohol was banned by the Islamic dietary laws. This changed first in Goa by the Portuguese in the 16th c and later during the British rule, In the 1980s modern viticulture commenced in India. We concentrate here on the six major winegrowing areas – but there is also viticulture in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Mizoram, Punjab Sangli, Solapur, Tamil Nadu… Karnataka is the second largest producer of wine grapes in India yet it is home to four of our six areas. It is closer to the equator than conventionally considered suitable for viticulture. It has five sub zones – Bangalore, The South, Hampi Hills, Bijapur and Northern Karnataka. Maharashtra is the other major wine-producing area of India. Over 120,000 acres of vineyards, but less than 2% is used to produce wines.  Image source: marianiechindia.wordpress.com |
QUICK LINKS TO INDIA REGIONS
| Bangalore (Karnataka) Bijapur (Karnataka) Hampi Hills (Karnataka) | Karnatka, Northern (Karnataka) Nashik (Maharashtra) Pune (Maharashtra) |
[Bang]
[Karn]
INDIA REGION-BY-REGION
| Bangalore: This area contains two major areas – Nandi Hills: A small wine-producing area 40 miles north of Bangalore with several vineyards growing French grape varieties. Kavery Valley: that produces fruit-forward wines, barrel-matured wines and sparkling wines.  Image source: bangalorewinetrails.com Areas: Kavery Valley, Nandi Hills Grapes: Red: Anab-e-Shahi, Arkashyam, Arkavati, Bangalore Blue, Bangalore purple, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Flame Seedless, Grenache, Malbec, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Sharad Seedless, Shiraz/Syrah, Tannat, Tempranillo White: Bhokri, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Gulabi Syn (Muscat Hamburg), Marsanne, Perlette, Riesling, Sauvignon blanc, Sultana, Thompson seedless, Vermentino, Viognier  Image source: researchgate.net | Karnatka (Northern): Most of this area’s vineyards and wineries are located in the southern part of the state, near Bangalore. Traditionally, only around 10% of local grapes are used for wine; most sold as table grapes or raisins.  Image source: karnataka.com Areas: Not detected Grapes: Red: Anab-e-Shahi, Bangalore Blue, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, White: Bhokri, Gulabi Syn (Muscat Hamburg), Sauvignon blanc.  Image source: tandfonline.com |
[Bija]
[Nash]
| Bijapur: Close to the important consumer markets of Andhra Pradesh, Goa and Telangana. It is located in the Krishna valley  Image source: londonwinecompetition.com Areas: Grapes: Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Pinot Noir, Shiraz/Syrah, White: Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon blanc,  Talukas of Bijapur District Image source: Wikimedia commons  Image source: Wikimedia Commons | Nashik: The wine capital of India found in the centre of the eponymous wine region on the banks of the river Godavari. The district has 52 wineries in operation. Located 190 km north-east of Mumbai, it is well located for the city’s wine lovers and for international travelers. Grapes have existed as a horticultural crop in Nashik from the 1950s,  Image source: edition.cnn.com Areas: Not detected Grapes: Red: Arkavati, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sharad Seedless, Syrah/Shiraz, Tempranillo, Zinfandel White: Chenin Blanc, Muscat, Perlette, Riesling, Roussanne, Sauvignon Blanc, Thompson Seedless, Viognier,  Image source: researchgate.net |
[Hamp]
[Pune]
| Hampi Hills: A landscape of Rolling Stones, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, at the confluence of the rivers Bhadra and Tunga.  Image source: thehindu.com Areas: Not detected Grapes: Red: Cabernet Sauvignon White: Sauvignon blanc  Image source: washingtonpost.com | Pune: Southern Maharashtra – three hours’ drive south-east of Mumbai in southern Maharashtra this is the second-most important wine growing area.  Image source: lbb.in Areas: Akluj, Baramati, Roti, Sangli Grapes: Red: Caberrnet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Syrah, Tempranillo, White: Chardonnay, Muller Thurgau, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon blanc  Image source: Wikimedia Commons |
Wines of India
Image source: jancisrobinson.com
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