Gallo to uncork five wine brands

Kumarkaushalam in New Delhi

Gallo International Services, a subsidiary of the US-based ENJ Gallo Winery, is readying up to enter the 3.5-lakh-a-year Indian wine market with five wine brands. The company had earlier entered into a sales and distribution tie-up for wine imports with the New Delhi-based Radico Khaitan.

Gallo is expected to introduce wine brands Sonoma Selection (priced at around $35-$40 per 750-ml bottle), Turning Leaves ($25), Wine Cellars ($20), Beginning January 2002, the company’s distribution work is being developed by Radico Khaitan.

Says Ms Debohra Yo, in-charge Asia-Pacific region, ENJ Gallo Winery: ‘‘The interest in wine is growing due to reasons as varied as health concerns (its alcohol content is 12-14 per cent) and changing life-style habits (it is served with less spicy and light food). Our interaction with leading five- star hotels suggest that there is a huge potential as consumers look for more and more non-Indian liquor options.’’

ENJ Gallo is the world’s largest wine marketing company with sales of over 68 million cases a year. Its portfolio includes over 50 wine beverage brands, largely dominated by Californian wines. Since its entry in Japan in 1993, ENJ has taken its marketshare to over 80 per cent (of imported wines) in Japan and it leads in most of the Asian markets.

Says Mr Rukn Luthra, country manager India, Gallo International Services: ‘‘Besides distribution, out priority is to undertake education on wine. We plan to train hotel personnel on how to serve wine and what kind of food to eat with wine.’’

Says Mr Luthra: ‘‘ENJ Gallo had earlier put on hold its Indian plans but being the world’s largest wine maker it needs to have strategic presence in India.’’