California-based E&J
Gallo, the world’s second-largest winery by the number of cases sold, has
drawn elaborate plans to introduce
brands from its global portfolio in India,
from September 2009, in a bid to cash in on the sharp growth witnessed in the
Indian wine market.
Gallo, which is also the world’s largest
family-owned wine company, has an existing JV with India’s second-largest
spirit company Radico Khaitan since 2001. It plans to bring in varietal wine
brands made from Chardonnay, Red Muscat, Cabernet and Sangria to the Indian
market.
The company also wants to bring in flavoured and coloured
wines to add to its portfolio. Raju Vaziraney, chief operating officer of Radico
Khaitan said: “We are targeting a 10% market share in India.”
Gallo’s Carlo Rossi, Turning Leaf, Andre Brut and Sonoma brands are among
the major brands that would be brought
here, he added.
The Rs
400-crore Indian wine industry crossed the million cases mark last year, out of
which imported wines alone account for 20%. E&J Gallo brands are sold in
India through Radico Khaitan’s distribution network, the manufacturers of
8PM whisky. The Indian wine market has grown between 20-35% in the past eight
years, which is very robust when viewed against the typical 3% growth seen in a
saturated market like Europe.
More: Economic Times