About Wine Companies in Bangalore?

Apart from being the IT hub of the country, the city of Bangalore has a lot more to offer. The state of Karnataka is one of the oldest grape producing states in the country. With changes in the policies and increased enthusiasm for entrepreneurship, wine companies in Bangalore have flourished over the 150 years of existence. One of the many reasons that have contributed to this is the inclusion of Bangalore Blue Grapes in wines by various wine companies in Bangalore. These grapes are generally recognized by their ‘foxy flavour’ and are grown in Bangalore Urban, Chikkaballapur and Kolar districts.

These grapes were also given the GI or Geographical Indication status for their indigenous variety. The major Blue grape producing areas in Bangalore include the Nandi Valley where over 15,000 farmers rely on this crop for their livelihood. Bangalore wines are not considered as wine in the international market and ethanol is generally added to increase the alcohol content. Although, the grape has gained importance on the wine map of India, the wine companies in Bangalore have shifted focus to French Grapes due to government subsidies on the same.

Various wines in India have gained international acclaim and the growth in organized retail of wines has helped wine companies to prosper over the years. In the city of Bangalore itself, many retail shops like the More Store and Madhuloka have stocked premium wines to cater to the growing demand of wines in Bangalore. Various mergers with wine importers have helped the Indian wine producers to produce high quality premium wines for the growing middle class of India. However, it is tough to estimate the growth of wine consumers in the country. Presently standing between 15-20% on a rise, the number of wine consumers may increase in the future which is a good sign for wine companies in Bangalore as well as across the country.

It would be interesting to see how companies in India would begin export and contribute to the GDP in terms of wine. Wine exports would change the perception of the world towards Indian wines and would act as a factor of success for other industries too. In order to remain competitive in the market, wine companies in Bangalore would have to maintain high quality and standards of production to ensure high demand for wines.