India-focused wine agency launches in the UK

Wines in India, a new UK-based agent which specialises in Indian wines has launched.

As the only UK importer to focus solely on Indian wines, Wines in India has an initial portfolio spanning six top end producers, most of which are from the Nashik region, north east of Mumbai. The wines are selected by India’s only Master of Wine, Sonal Holland, in partnership with the three Directors: Mayank Gupta; Chris Holland; and Nilesh Kamble.

Whilst India is still a relatively young wine-producing country, in the last 10-15 years the industry has grown faster than any other competitive beverage market, and the potential to grow the category here is significant; there are currently some 17,000 Indian restaurants in the UK, very few of which list Indian wines, due to lack of both availability and quality.

Wines in India will target both the on- and off-trade sectors. The focus within the on-trade will be on fine dining Indian restaurants, restaurants with a specific wine focus and wine bars specialising in emerging regions. Listings are already in place with Darbar, Thyme & Chillies and Diogenes The Dog.

With regard to off-trade, independent wine merchants, multiple specialists and e-commerce wine specialists will be a focus, alongside grocers with a fine wine portfolio; Waitrose has listed the Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve from Wine In India’s Vallonné Vineyards. Artisan wine specialists, Wine Monkey, Winebound and The Grape Slayer have also listed wines, with more in the pipeline when lockdown restrictions lift.

The company aims to dispel any misconceptions the trade and consumer may have about Indian wines, by ensuring the focus is on elegant, world class offerings.

The portfolio currently comprises:

Charosa, which specialises in international varieties, including Viognier, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. Its winemaker Ashok Patil has 15 years’ experience making wine in India, and has completed vintages in New Zealand, South Australia and France.

Good Drop Wine Cellars, founded by Barossa Valley winemaker, Ashwin Rodrigues,  specialises in sparkling wine.

Reveilo, a boutique estate with an Italian winemaker specialising in Italian varieties including Sangiovese, Nero D’Avola and Grillo.

Fratelli, a joint venture between two sets of brothers – the Italian Secci’s and the Sekhri and Mohite-Patil brothers from India.

York, a nine-acre estate specialising in international varietals including Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chenin Blanc, with a combination of New World winemaking practices with French influence.

Vallonné Vineyards, a minimal intervention winery and producer of India’s first Provencal-style rosé, and first Indian Malbec.

“We are extremely excited to launch Wines in India, the culmination of several months researching the U.K. market and exploring India’s wine regions,” says Chris Holland, Wines in India Director. “We believe there is significant potential for an Indian wine specialist here, given that the UK trade is particularly open-minded to emerging territories coupled with the British love affair with Indian cuisine.”

Holland adds: “Knowledge of India’s wines is relatively low amongst the trade, so our key strategy will be one of education, with a series of Instagram Live tastings and interviews planned as well as partnering with 67 Pall Mall on their webinar series.”

Wines In India will exhibit at this year’s London Wine Fair with a digital pavilion showcasing 19 wines from its six estates, samples of which will be available to visitors in advance. It will also host a Masterclass session for retailers and sommeliers, details of which will be announced nearer the time.

www.winesinindia.com