BACARDI WILL WATCH, BUT NOT WAIT
Acquisition is Not the No.1 Agenda

In the last year, Bacardi Martini India has clocked one of its best growth periods so far, in high double digits. This has come largely on the back of all their spirits brands, including the Breezers. The company's President & CEO, Mahesh Madhavan, speaks to Amitabh Joshi, on what's making Bacardi tick, as well as plans for the future, including the acquisition agenda.

Excerpts:  With the launch of Bacardi O, an orange flavoured rum, and the iconic Eristoff vodka last year, Bacardi further stamped its mark on a growing Indian market which had for long been getting high on its white rum and breezers. Added to that is a concerted effort to push the Dewar's label into the country's bustling Scotch whisky segment.

MERLIN THE MAGICIAN

He's a renowned mixologist and has the enviable role of being Global Ambassador for Bombay Sapphire. Meet Merlin Griffiths, who was in India recently on tour to unravel the secrets of the world famous gin from the house of Bacardi.

Excerpts: They say that the Bombay Sapphire gin is based on a secret recipe that dates back to 1761. It's a mix of these ingredients that create a fascinating whole. Inside the Bombay Sapphire are ten exotic botanical ingredients that provide a refined and delicately balanced taste.

- Amitabh Joshi

RADICO KHAITAN IN HIGH SPIRITS
$75 million raised through share sale

Excerpts: With a branded portfolio which includes four millionaire brands, Radico Khaitan gave itself a further shot-in-the-arm last month by raising $ 75 million through a share sale to institutions. With plans to spread its hold on the premium market, the company, which last year introduced India's highest priced premium brandy, is also set to launch a premium whisky this year and will in the next three months bring in special varietals of the world famous Carlo Rossi wines.

- Amitabh Joshi

FOCUS FEATURE - DRINK, BUT DON'T BE MERRY

Excerpts:  India's vacillation over liquor consumption was once again brought to the fore when an ugly situation erupted over serving of liquor at the IPL match venue at Delhi's Ferozshah Kotla Maidan.

- Amitabh Joshi

SPECIAL FEATURE - HOW WILL YOU HAVE YOUR ICE?

Excerpts: With the advent of summer most people want to overdose on the coolness in their drinks. Preferences increase for sherbets and cold coffees over their 'hot' counterparts; it is even true for alcoholic beverages more than any other drink. Nothing can be more unpalatable than a warm beer or a cocktail that is not chilled just right.

- Ameeta Sharma

KNOW YOUR DRINKIQ WITH DIAGEO'S ALCOHOL AWARENESS PROGRAMME

Excerpts: Diageo, has embarked on an innovative, interactive responsible drinking programme - DRINKiQ to counter the growing abuse of alcohol.

BEAM GLOBAL BRINGS IT ON

Events last month highlighted the resource and prowess of Beam Global India's showmanship in India. A high profile vintage car rally in Delhi set the capital abuzz, and Beam in India is showing that the increasing investment in brand imagery is a key initiative for multinationals which play the premium market.

Excerpts: Teacher's Origin, the premium Scotch whisky launched in India by Beam Global Spirits & Wine, decided that the way to bring home the message of a vintage blend was to literally go vintage. So, during a windy March weekend in Delhi, out came the beauties. No, not female models (we've seen enough of them haven't we?), but rare and precious vintage and classic cars the likes not seen for a long time in the capital.

- Amitabh Joshi

INDIA WINE CONSUMPTION LEAPS 10th Largest Growth Nation, says Vinexpo/IWSR study

India has become the 10th largest growth nation for wine consumption, in value and volume terms, for the period 2009-13, according to the Vinexpo/IWSR 2010 study. In 2008, wine consumption in India reached 1.449 million 9-litre cases, equivalent to 17.38 million bottles, an increase of 372% compared to 2004. A report.

Excerpts: The Vinexpo/IWSR study forecasts an increase of 1.475 million 9-litre cases in Indian wine drinking up to 2013.

SOUTH INDIA SALES SHOW GROWTH

AP, Karnataka and Kerala are considered to be the bastions for liquor sales in the country. Ambrosia presents some data on recent monthly sales.

Excerpts: Recent figures released by the Andhra Pradesh Liquor Corporation revealed the continued dominance of whisky as a category in Andhra Pradesh. Although, sales in September 2009 were lot higher than in March 2010 perhaps on account of seasonal cyclical sales. The Brandy category showed an increase indicating that the category could have potential given South India's penchant for brandy. The other categories are rather minor ones. Rum could see some potential; perhaps the likes of Bacardi and United Spirits rum brands could grow the category.

REMEMBERING THOMAS JEFFERSON…

If there is any thing that the third president of United States of America is remembered for, other than penning the Declaration of Independence, it is his immense love for wine. This year marks the 267th birth anniversary (born on 13 April, 1743) of Thomas Jefferson.

Excerpts: The legend has left behind a plush wine park, Monticello, Albemarle County, near Charlottesville, Virginia, USA. After inheriting a considerable estate from his father who was also a successful planter and surveyor, a young and enterprising Thomas began building Monticello in 1769, when he was twenty-six years of age. Monticello has a glorious history of viniculture. Owing to this place, America grew into a wine loving country. Monticello Claret, Monticello Octagon, Monticello Brut, Monticello Vin Blanc, Monticello Chardonnay Reserve and Monticello Malvasia are some of the new varieties of wines produced in this winery.

SCOTCH WHISKY DEFIES DOWNTURN: REPORT

Global exports of Scotch whisky reached record levels in 2009 despite the economic downturn in some major markets, according to annual figures released by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).

Excerpts: Scotch whisky exports rose by three per cent in value to £3.13bn, contributing £99 every second to the UK trade balance. Export volumes increased by four per cent worldwide, with the equivalent of 1.1bn 70cl bottles of Scotch whisky shipped.

A 10 per cent cut in taxes on beer and wine proposed in the fifth annual budget of Kerala for 2010-11 by Minister for finance of the state Dr T.M. Thomas Isaac on March 5, has left the beer traders and consumers in high spirits, literally.

Excerpts: As a result, the breweries all over the country plan to rush to Kerala to launch their brands of beer and dominate the market in a hope that the sale of beer are likely to shoot up. Undoubtedly, the firm that is likely to be greatly benefitted by this is Vijay Mallya's United Breweries. Brands such as Kingfisher Strong, Kingfisher Lager, Zingaro, Sand Piper, London Pilsner Strong, Kalyani Strong are already favourites among consumers of Kerala.

- M Pushpajan

CHINA EYES TO ENCASH ON SOPHISTICATED WINE DRINKERS

Excerpts: In a bid to appeal to the sophisticated wine drinkers who now prefer French wines, Chinese wine producers are invading the high-end after years of producing millions of bottles of cheap wine for supermarket shelves.

WINING AND DINING - FINE FLAVOURS OF IGNIS

Currently Connaught Place is undergoing a big re-vamping to bring it back to its former glory, before all the shopping malls came up and CP used to be the most fashionable and suave market to visit. Apart from its colonial majestic structure the circular area of CP has always been the focal point of foreigners who visited Delhi.

Excerpts: Eateries here include the glories of a lost era. Be it Kwality or Gaylords, Kake Da Dhaba or Embassy - the places here were always popular with the faithful clientele. One such property was Volga which has recently closed down. Right there on the first floor above this spot is Ignis. Perched on the old world property, here the owners have tried to give all that Connaught place eateries were known for - value for money food and drinks with an individualistic character.

- Ameeta Sharma

MELBOURNE- FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL

Does anything get Melbourne foodies as excited as the annual food and wine festival? Probably not…Read on to know more….

Excerpts: Melbourne the world-class food city turned into a terrific culinary festival, drawing local and international cooking talent. The event included cooking classes, a street food fair, the world's longest lunch, (which refers to the length of the table, luckily, rather than length of time) and of course, wine galore. From intimate gatherings on the banks of the Murray River to wine celebrations held in the Yarra Valley, Victoria sure can plan your dream itinerary.

- Chef Bakshish Dean, The author is Corporat, Chef with Litebite Foods

ROERO - A LAND OF PLENTY

I never cease to be amazed by the incredible diversity that Italy unfolds travelling through its twenty regions of wine production, each one portraying a unique wealth of history, culture and traditions.

Excerpts: If the northwest of Italy offers one of the most exciting wine zones it is thanks to Piemonte. Recently I visited the area of Roero in Piemonte, renown for its excellent wines and outstanding local food. Far too often when one thinks of Piemonte one focuses on the better-known areas such as the Langhe, home to Barolo. Roero borders with the Langhe and a small part of the Langhe actually overlaps part of the Roero, which also produces a fine range of Nebbiolo wines, (the grape used in Barolo, Barbaresco and of course, the newer Roero docg), as well as Barbera, and the white Arneis variety, in addition to a number of other lesser known white and red varieties.

- Michèle Shah

RED WINE APPELLATIONS OF BOURGOGNE

With its 12 000 brands, covering 54 appellations and producing an average of six million hectolitres a year, Bordeaux's sales system is quite unique in the world. Even if it only concerns between 200 and 300 labels, the Primeurs campaign (or Futures campaign) creates a buzz year in year out in one of the most prestigious wine regions of the world. Brinda Bourhis, Ambrosia's Bordeaux correspondent gives an insight to the Primeurs, with the tastings that got off to a flying start on 30 March.

Excerpts: Definition- To understand the concept of Primeurs in Bordeaux, the simplest description is as follows:
It is a way of purchasing wine before it is bottled. Take as an example the current vintage: 2009.

- Ameeta Sharma

WORLD WINE TOUR INDIA CHAPTER - A RESOUNDING SUCCESS

We have been featuring the journey of Anja Cheriakova and Georges Janssens, the Project Directors of World Wine Tour 2010 since few months in the magazine. Ambrosia as the International Media Partner had organized a wine tasting and dinner for the couple to interact with the Indian wine industry during their recent stay in India. A report.

Excerpts: Covering 300 wineries around the globe and selecting the best out of it to be auctioned is not as easy as it seems. Ask Anja and Georges and you will get an insight into their ordeals in Thailand where they had to walk amidst the protests to get to the Village Farm winery or how they faced the hostile weather in Russia. But at the end its all worth it says, Anja. During the wine tasting and dinner organized by Ambrosia at the J W Marriott Hotel, Mumbai.The couple interacted with the professionals from the Indian wine industry and for the first time they tasted some of the best Indian wines.

- Rojita Tiwari

GLOBAL BEER PLAYERS UNDER THE MICROSCOPE

The wave of major consolidation activity in the beer market over 2008 was followed by weakening volume growth in 2009 as the economic downturn put a dampener on bullish tactics. With the global beer landscape and future growth opportunities realigned, Euromonitor International's latest global briefing 'Strategies for Growth in an Increasingly Consolidated Global Beer Market' deciphers the measures that companies have taken in light of this new operating environment and how they fit in with long-term strategies. Spiros Malandrakis, Alcoholic Drinks Analyst at Euromonitor International, investigates.

Excerpts: Survival of the fittest
All the current major brewers took part in the round of consolidation which marked the beer industry over the past decade, while, of the top ten brewers in 2000, only Modelo and Heineken still held a place in the top 10 rankings in 2009 without undergoing a name change due to merger or acquisition activity. In the emerging markets of the Middle East and Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America, brewers have rushed to capture volume growth, while in the mature markets of North America and Western Europe the consolidation took place with brewers looking to balance portfolios between value and volume gains.