Rude Drink by Vir Sanghvi: Grape expectations from India’s new wine boom

India is learning to love wine again. And things are different now. A wine bar with free tastings, new labels, more fun, less fuss. And better prices too

If you are a wine-lover of a certain age, you may remember a time, around 15 years ago, when the world’s great winemakers beat a path to India. When the government decided that wine-drinking was to be encouraged to promote tourism and lowered duties. When nearly every fortnight, there was a wine-dinner in one of India’s metropolitan cities, where food was paired with the greatest wines from Italy, France, America and Australia.

Captain’s Cellar, at the Taj Mahal Hotel in Delhi, is shifting India’s focus back on wine. They serve more than 40 wines by the glass and offer tastings for free. (TAJ MAHAL HOTEL, DELHI)

Even as Indian wine-lovers got used to being courted by Chateau Latour, the boom was ending.

Chateau Margaux is at the top end of the global wine market.

International brands like Chateau Latour do not represent the majority of the global market.

After state taxes and the rupee’s downward slide, imported wine from brands like Sassicaia seemed much more expensive.