1. What are your objectives in supporting the event Wine for Asia 2006?

The Show brings the latest offerings from wine producers, especially from the New World.

2. This is the fourth edition of Wine for Asia, what are your expectations?

There will be more participation. The seminars should be better. The whole administration of the Show is expected to be  better.

3. Do you view Asia as a growing untapped market? What are the factors that
will drive the wine-drinking trend in Asia ?

Asia is certainly untapped as you can see a faster growth in consumption in India, Singapore, Hong Kong. Changing lifestyle, more disposable income, ease in wine availability are some of the factors.

4. Brief on the strategic role that Singapore plays in linking the wine
producing countries to the Asian markets.

Being an economically a ‘free' market and the central hub and the financial centre, it allows consolidation and transit point for many countries.

5. How does Wine for Asia offer an opportunity to the exhibitors to seek new
opportunities in the region?

Naturally, the buyers from these countries will find it much more feasible to visit, in more comfortable environ.

6. What is the role of Delhi Wine Club in developing the wine industry of India?

We educate the consumers, the hospitality industry, organise various seminars and conferences, disseminate wine information through our associate, Indian Wine Academy's daily delWine eNewsletter, conduct several corporate wine events. We encourage the right profiled people to visit such shows as Wine for Asia. In short, we are cultivating and promoting food & wine culture through education and our expertise.

7. What is your take on the current scenario of Indian wine industry?

It is a boom time for wines. More and more people are drinking wine since I had formed the Delhi Wine Club four years ago and started ‘preaching' through our website, various programmes, creating media hype.There is annual growth of over 35 %. Indian producers are having a field day. Importers do not have it so easy due to high duties but due to a much higher demand from the hotels importing duty free, the ir sales are surging too.

8. What are the key issues affecting the industry? How do you seek to address it through your club or Indian Wine Academy ?

Taxation, ease in availability, education and religious and social mores are the three core issues. We are tackling all but the last as we do not believe in encouraging non drinkers to start drinking wine just to promote the cause which is otherwise passionate to my heart. 

9. With the changing lifestyle of people and rising aspirations among youth in country, do you think wine industry will boom?

Most definitely. If you study the lifestyle of the US , Australia etc. we are only 20-30 years behind them in their lifestyle habits. With the advent of IT and easier travel this period will be cut down to 5-10 years. We are waiting for the awaking sleeping giant-the middle classes. Out of 30 million in this category, 20-30 million are the potential wine drinkers. Next 10 years will bring them into the wine drinking set.

For more details and last minute registration visit www.wineforasia.com.

Subhash Arora