奇速英语

葡萄酒业在印度快速发展

Indians who like alcohol usually choose whiskey as their drink. But, slowly, wine is growing more popular in the country. India's first vineyard, a farm where grapes used to make wine are grown, is named Sula. It began operations 15 years ago.

Sula vineyards is in Nashik in northwestern Maharashtra state. Software engineer Nagesh Kamble and his wife Snehal have come to the hilly vineyard from Pune, about two hundred kilometers south. The young couple wanted to learn how wine is made. They began drinking wine at a special event two years ago.

Sula Vineyards is India's largest Indian wine-maker. Ten years ago it opened a tasting room to create a wine culture among people like the Kambles. About 200,000 people visit every year. It is especially busy on weekends.

Indian tradition has not been approving of alcoholic drinks. And until now, whiskey is the kind of alcohol that the general public has accepted.

Young professionals are the main supports of the growth in India’s wine market. The market is expanding at about 13 percent a year. Over the last 10 years, 90 wineries have opened across Karnataka and Maharashtra states, where the climate is favorable for growing wine grapes.

However, the wine culture is still restricted to the country’s main cities such as Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore. Wine companies are now targeting the smaller towns.

Mr. Agarwal of Sula Vineyards says the alcohol industry is not permitted to advertise. But he says they reach out to the public through wine festivals, fashion shows and music festivals.

The wine industry hopes that the market will continue to grow as incomes increase and life styles change in India.