The second
edition of India Wine Challenge will be launched in
the evening, on February 27 at the Agni Bar, Hotel
Park by Robert Joseph, Chairman of the IWC and founder
of the International Wine Challenge. The forum where
all wine importers and Indian producers are invited,
will be an occasion to interact with Robert who is
an international wine expert and has written 26 books
on the subject. He has also conducted over 50 such
challenges internationally and it is always a wonderful
experience meeting him and learning about the wonderful
world of wine. He also judges dozens of competitions
every year.
The first ever international wine
competition- the IWC was conducted in London and Delhi
in 2007 in conjunction with IFE- India (the annual
international food and drinks exhibition at Pragati
Maidan, Delhi). In all likelihood the similar pattern
would be followed for the India Wine Challenge-2008
unless the customs and excise procedures are simplified
at the time of holding the competition in November.
There were 350 wine samples presented
at the first IWC, including 35 from 10 wineries in
India. Indian samples were sent to Delhi whereas the
foreign wine samples were submitted in London, at
the headquarters of Montgomery International. By every
account, the event was very successful in his maiden
attempt.
The occasion will also present an
opportunity to clarify any doubts that might have
arisen during the first event last year. The biggest
confusion in people's mind had been their assumption
that the competition was only for Indian wines. Many
thought that only the wines being imported to India
could be entered. Clarifying this confusion logically,
Robert says,' the competition is open to any wine,
produced anywhere in the world. It is not necessary
that it must be already existent in India. Logically
only those producers will take part, who have an interest
in India. It is a great opportunity for the India
wineries to find out the taste of the experts and
if there are any flaws in their wines.'
A special concession had been made
in that a separate category was created for only Indian
wines, which is not an international practice.
The cost of entering the labels
is an issue that dogged many importers and smaller
producers. Although the competition lost money last
year-the customs duties, transportation, venue costs,
travel etc take away a major portion of expenses,
'I agree that we should encourage larger numbers of
entries from Indian companies so we can look at discounts/rebates
for these,' agrees Robert
Many suggestions have come from
producers and importers. Ranjit Gupta, Director of
the importing firm Amfora wines, suggests that 'if
three prizes have to be given in a category then there
must at least be 7-8 entries in that category. At
8 wines entered three prize would make total prizes
37%. If there are only 3-4 wines then only the best
should have an award. He would also like to se reducing
costs of submitting more number of samples.'
Robert Joseph understands the Indian
psyche and is willing to consider the suggestions
very democratically 'so long as they do not dilute
the quality of the competition and do not in any way
compromise the blindness and neutrality'. There will
be no compromise in the professionalism, however.
If you are an importer or a producer,
the launch offers a great opportunity to help improve
and indigenize the competition which is here to stay
and is slated to become stronger and more relevant
over the years.
For further details regarding the
launch click
here
Subhash Arora
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