Wine lovers in India can soon raise a toast to some fine wines from Down Under. Vijay Mallya-owned UB Group?s wines division is set to uncork global wine brands from New Zealand and Australia in India this month. UB will launch these brands at an event in Mumbai on November 20, and later in the month, they will be unveiled in Bangalore.
On Saturday, Diageo India launched its first-ever domestic wines, Nilaya, in Mumbai.
UB, which has set up its wines division headed by Abhay Kewadkar, the former vice-president of Grover Vineyards, is also launching its own domestic brand of wines by the end of this year under the brand name, Fourseasons Wines.
The brands from New Zealand and Australia will be priced around Rs 1,000-3,000 a bottle. The Kiwi brands belong to companies like Hunters and Sacred Hill, while the six Australian wines will use the Warburn brand name. About 10-15 Kiwi brands will be launched.
Kewadkar said, ?Wines from New Zealand and Australia are considered the best among global brands. They have won awards.? He also said, Indians who could afford premium imported wines were a minority. ?Even though the prices are high, Indians who care for value as well as quality prefer buying imported brands,? he added.
UB, which has tied up with Reliance Fresh, is also eyeing more tie-ups with upcoming retail chains to extend the reach of its wine brands. ?We are keen to have more tie-ups with upcoming retail chains in the country,? Kewadkar added.
Earlier, UB had purchased the Bauvet Ladubay winery from Saunur Loire of France for 15 million euros.
