Emerging spirits markets in the Asia-Pacific region

A summarised report on the Asia-Pacific spirits market by Trilok Desai

The Asia-Pacific region consisting of 22 countries ranging from Pakistan on the west to Australia and New Zealand in the South and Far East region up to Japan has emerged as the most promising market in the international arena. From internationally renowned cosmetics and fashion brands to the premium and super premium liquor brands, all have found a way into these markets and every country with "anything sells here" tag opens its doors for hoards of multi national companies to set up business in today's most challenging market called Asia-Pacific region.

With varied demographics and diverse character, the markets also have different drinking habits as well as spending power. In a nutshell one could say that the region is bubbling with activities and in most countries it is experiencing upward mobility.

China with a population of 1.3 billion and that of India with a population of 1.1 billion makes the largest market in the world for any products including that of alcobev products. India, Japan, China and South Korea are one of the most important markets in the region...

Overview: Spirits Industry driven by world class brands

It's gala time for the alcoholic beverages industry as India emerges as the Asian giant with an unquenchable thirst.

India is now regarded as the largest spirits market in Asia-Pacific accounting for a huge chunk of regional revenues.

The picture is getting prettier, what with the cost of imported spirits & wines in India dropping following the government's decision last year to withdraw additional duties on foreign alcohol products.

Foreign beverage groups are now feeling more than welcome, better able to compete with domestic brands in the country in terms of pricing... read more

Overview of Indian Beer Markets and its rulers

The country's beer market is estimated to be around 155 million cases a year and growing at 15 per cent annually. This has created a beeline of top brewers from all over the world keen to get their labels on the shelves and into the hearts of consumers. Here is a summarised report on the Indian beer market and what the market leaders have to say about it.

Experimentation is the new watchword of a young and upwardly mobile India and manufacturers are flooding the market with new sub-categories like low alcohol content and fruit-flavoured beers. Add to this the concept of beer gardens which are coming to India in a big way, and you have more fizz than can be handled!

With Multinational beer majors introducing newer categories in the segment, not only has competition hotted up, but a new era of brand loyalty in the beer segment has begun-especially with premium beer catching on among the trendy. And it’s not just the upper echelons that are enjoying the fare. After all, it’s been a trickle down all the way to the common man... read more

Import market thrive despite growing domestic liquor sale

The earliest Indian wine imports were by the Moghul emperors in the 16th century who imported Shiraz from Iran and imbibed it from chalices. But religious sentiments and Gandhian principals ensured it stayed moribund till recent times.

The Indian imported wine market is slated to be around 220,000 cases up by around 50,000 cases as compared to last years figures of 1,70,000 cases. This constitutes around 20 per cent of the total Indian wine market estimated to be over 15 million litres. These figures do not include bulk wine imports, wines hand-carried by passengers, and smuggled wine. Overall growth is in the region of 30 per cent... read more

Overview: The Great Indian Wine Dream

The Indian alcoholic beverage industry is a little over US$ 10 billion (Rs.45,000 crore) but the wine industry is valued at 100 million US$, a clear indicator of the scope of the Indian wine industry currently growing at 30 per cent, fuelled by strong growth in the domestic wine consumption.

Traditionally a whisky market, Indian wine makers are making a determined effort to convert the nasha loving Indians to enjoy the finer aspects of wine. Wine has been made in India for many thousands of years, some say for 5,000 and even more. Today India has 123,000 acres of vineyards, but only 8,000 acres are used for wine grapes... read more

Overview: Ethanol to fuel distillation plants growth

Ethanol, just recently termed as the green gold is back in fashion. As oil prices touch a record high of US$140 a barrel, there is likely to be a paradigm shift towards ethanol. As markets estimate the cost of producing ethanol to be around US$45 a barrel, the economics could not be better.

Besides high oil prices, the growing interest in ethanol is that many countries would like to meet their greenhouse gas abatement targets under the Kyoto Protocol and it could also facilitate an export opportunity for the self-sufficient countries.

The Indian bioethanol market is also grappling with availability issues, as ethanol is primarily manufactured from molasses - a by-product of sugar. Since sugarcane production is cyclical, the availability and cost of production of bioethanol will vary depending on sugarcane crop yields... read more

Indian wine industry calls for a wine board

Abhay Kewadkar, the Senior Vice President & Chief Wine Maker from UB group presented a paper on the promising wine culture in India on behalf of the entire wine industry at the recently held Alcobev conference. A report.

Though we have enough references about wine being consumed during Moghul empire in 13th century and also in famous "Rubiyats" of Omar Khayyam, this art of crafting wines was forgotten for quite sometime, to the extent that there was no wine culture in India, till about 25 years back.

Back in 1984, the only wines available in the market were Golconda and Bosca, apart from some locally produced Goan wines. There were hardly any wine varieties of grapes. During the beginning of his career as a wine maker, Abhay was always questioned, "When there is no wine culture in India, how you intend to sell the wines?" Abhay says, "For me, this was like a chicken & egg story. My retort always was that, when there is no good wine available, how can a wine culture come?" But, today wine industry is one of the fastest growing industries and all the multinationals in spirits/beverages industry like UB, Diageo and Seagram have extended the wine business in India, by setting up wine production facilities locally. This obviously, is in addition to the already established players like Chateau Indage, Sula and Grovers...

Champagne sales spark, but bubbles burst in U.S.

Those few venerable vineyards that boast the right to produce real French champagne from the "treasured terroir" may be facing competition! France is looking into expanding the strictly defined area where champagne is made. Method by which champagne is made dates back to 1638 and a monk named Dom Perignon has been attributed with its creation, writes Dr. Mohan Krishna.

Champagne has become a popular drink among young, high- spending professionals living in cities from Mumbai to Shanghai and Tokyo to New York. Champagne screams celebration! What would New Years' Eve party be like without Champagne? You can't shake up your bottle of Cabernet and spray it on everyone-- it stains. Champagne does not stain; it is festive, traditional, and fun to drink.

There is a loud "pop" when opening, signifying the party has begun. There are millions of tiny bubbles you swallow when drinking, like a big explosion in your mouth that leaves you wanting for more. Champagne tastes good with everything and with nothing at all!

Champagne producers have long pushed for more space. Global warming, which has already shaken up the wine industry worldwide, is also complicating the researchers. As they investigate new territory, they have to project what the climate could be in another generation or more.

Experts say the maximum number of bottles that can be wrung out of that land is 350million and claim the champagne industry is a victim of commercial success, strict red tape and an ingrained conservative mentality of those who grow its grapes.

The vibrant v/s the mystic

The New World of exciting young and vibrant Wines Vs the Mystic Old World of aged and traditionally crafted wines is quite interesting, says Sumedh Singh Mandla.

Wine making tradition goes time immemorial and we see mention of wines centuries ago in Greek and Roman history. European countries like France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, and Greece are the traditional wine making countries with their heritage going back to centuries ago. Over this period, the vineyards and the wine making traditions have been passed on from generation to generation. However, over a period of time, many new techniques have evolved which have resulted in the fine quality of these wines. Needless to say, wine makers from these countries take deep pride in their rich heritage and tradition.

The one person who has taken this pride to the extreme end – much to the delight of wine lovers - is George Duboeuf. The undisputable (and unofficial) "King" of Beaujolais, France produces and distributes nearly 25 million of the 175 million bottles of wine produced by this region annually. George Duboeuf has not only perfected the art of winemaking, but has perfected the art of exhibiting his love for wine by creating "Le Hameau du Vin" ("The Village of Wine") – a museum of wine! This mammoth learning and tasting centre includes a dizzying array of choices - fancy a wine tasting? Go to the free tasting bar! Feel like learning more about wine bottling? Go to the section devoted to corks and bottles! Fancy seeing an art exhibit? Go to the Art Section! And the ride just doesn't end.

Hues of cocktails this summer

Not just staid colours of alcohol but a vibrant pink, red, blue, green; or indeed the built up shades of a sunrise, aquamarine blue, even a deadly black if needed – a rainbow would pale at the options available in a glass of cocktail. If winter is all about nursing good malt, or sipping a spiced punch to warm the throat, summer is all about crushed ice, fancy garnishes and funky glasses.

Technically just a style of mixed drink it might have come as a call of the hour, but it definitely contains one or more types of liquor, would have flavour and then addition of juices, soda, honey, water, cream, herbs, even bitters before being garnished and then served. Popularity of Vodka as a cocktail base is recent phenomenon not even half a century old maybe. Many traditional cocktails including celebrated martini is now served with vodka.

Etymology at the internet sites tells as to why it is called a cocktail; each story fancier than the other and some would bring a chuckle to the most serious reader. Take a trip down that lane if desired; makes for great party conversation in a dull moment. Largely good cocktails allow no lull in the conversations! Maybe in times gone by a feather from a cock was put in the drink as a decoration and to signal that the drink contained alcohol, or it was named after a mixed breed horse; today they are folklores. It is nicer to check out various cocktails on offer than to argue as to where the term originated.

Cocktails for Delhi belly
Each five star hotel in Delhi has its own bar with its ambience. Majority of clientele is the in house guest, yet there are regular local tipplers too. In Ricks at the Taj Mahal hotel it is the vast cocktail offering that might attract people; as would in Aura at the Claridges or the Polo Lounge in the Hyatt. The Three sixty Bar and Lounge of the Oberoi might be celebrated due to its wine list but the equally impressive wine list and a large selection of cocktails and other drinks at 24/7 – the outlet of Intercontinental would attract others.