Mumbai (Harshit Yadav): The rapid growth of the Indian wine market is due to the increasing income and the changing preferences of the wealthy young population in the cities. Austrade’s Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner, John Southwell, emphasized this growth at ProWine Mumbai 2024.
They worked in collaboration with Global Victoria, Investment NSW, and Wine Australia and showcased 11 Australian wineries at the event. This is the working of the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), which the wine industry is conforming to strengthen ties.
“Our consistent concern with the Indian Wine Industry that is still happening and going forward is about our programs, wine tasting, and building a close connection with distributors,” Southwell stated. These mentioned strategies aim to localize brand’s growth in India through HoReCa, trade, and last mile in India.
Australian wines stand out for their innovation, offering more than 100 grape varieties from 65 distinct regions. They cater perfectly to India’s diverse cuisine, making them a preferred choice for adventurous and discerning palates.
Varietals such as Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay are gaining recognition among Indian consumers. These wines align well with growing trends in pairing international beverages with traditional Indian dishes.
Austrade has formed a partnership with the Sonal Holland Wine Academy in an attempt to retail staff education on Australian wines. This program offers staff full knowledge to encourage the sale of top-quality wines at the store to customers.
India’s wine consumption has steadily increased over the past decade, driven by affluent, younger urban populations. Rising disposable incomes and exposure to international trends have transformed consumer behavior, favoring premium beverages.
Australian wines are benefiting from ECTA’s reduced trade barriers, allowing greater access to India’s premium wine market. This provides an opportunity for Australian winemakers to meet the evolving tastes of Indian consumers.
Despite its growth, India’s wine market faces challenges, including limited infrastructure and consumer awareness. However, these obstacles also create opportunities for innovation and long-term industry expansion.
Australia’s wine industry actively collaborates with Indian stakeholders to build technical and educational capabilities. The Australia-India Wine Regulatory Forum fosters exchanges of best practices, addressing challenges and exploring solutions together.
Austrade’s consistent presence at events like ProWine Mumbai reflects its commitment to India’s market potential. These engagements allow Australian winemakers to interact directly with Indian trade professionals and consumers.
The wide range of Australian wines, including innovative methods and expressions that are focused on fruit, characterize their diverse and creative styles. This culinary connection will promote the distribution of the wine to the trade and the consumers.
In the Indian market, relationships are the key factor that sustains people and is necessary for the markets to grow. It is through education and innovation that Australian wines have the opportunity to become the king of wine culture in India.
“Most Indians are now drinking wine with their meals, learning about new grapes and getting info on a lot of different flavors,” stated Southwell. The changeover in discerning the liking of wines by the customers in the country details the maturing nature of the wine market.
Austrade’s initiatives seek to make Australian wines one of the preferred choices in India’s imported wine segment. The implementation of knowledge and networking in the wine industry by involving ECTA has allowed Aussieland to get set up in several ways.
Australian wine, with the help of Austrade, will be ready to take its place on the market and be the first choice for Indian customers. Australian wine exports brought in by these programs witness the benefits of a prosperous U.S.-India bilateral relationship.
