IFE India is almost ready to open its doors for the 5th time from 6th-8th December 2007 at the Pragati Maidan Exhibition Grounds in New Delhi, India, reports Subhash Arora, President of Indian Wine Academy from London. Montgomery International organises this Food and Wine Show in conjunction with Interads of Delhi.

A record 250 Exhibitors are expected to present their food and wine products and hospitality equipment from more than 20 different countries, including 13 leading international associations. The area of display will see an increase of 60% at 2500sqm compared to 1500sqm taken up by 160 exhibitors from 16 countries last year.

The highlight of the show is the growth in wine company exhibitors this year. Compared to only 20 companies last year, 60 have already confirmed. The interest shown by many exhibitors at the Salone del Vino in Torino which concluded on Monday, was enormous and a few of them are keen to join in this year. As usual, there will be Guided Wine Tastings conducted by the Indian Wine Academy where several exciting wines can be tasted from around the world.

There will be an impressive display of wines this year with over 60 stands presenting wines from Austria, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, England, India, Greece and Australia, says Frances Grove who co-ordinates wine area for the show.' We are extremely happy that ICE has reserved 329 sqm of space this year in their own dedicated hall - a first ever in IFE! Sopexa represents 17 wine companies from France. FIAB is there with bigger wine participation from Spain. We are still hoping for a good participation from the Indian producers who are still in the process of booking space,' she added.

'Also debuts the Indian Wine Challenge conceptualised and spearheaded by Robert Joseph' says a beaming Metthew Benyon, the Managing Director of Montgomery International, who is organising the Challenge with Robert Joseph'. Many of the wines winning medals will be available for tasting at the Show. A variety of conferences and features will offer real excitement to the show and uncover new ways of doing business, improve current processes and provide tips on expanding the horizons of wine business, he adds.

The Indian food and drink market is currently worth US$230 billion, with the economy as a whole expected to be the third largest in the world by 2010. India's population stands at more than 1.1 billion people and enjoys a rapidly expanding middle class of 350 million. Not only do people have more disposable income, but consumers are demanding greater variety, quality and choice, especially in the food, drink and hospitality sectors.