Mumbai wine conference plagued by Indian customs issues

Up to 90 Spanish wines were removed by Indian customs on the second day of the three-day Taste food and wine conference held in Mumbai.

It is believed the freight company the wineries used had not paid duty, despite the wineries paying upfront.
The move was a huge blow for the wineries - Grupo Garvey, Grapeland and Grupo Pesvera - which had paid to exhibit at the conference held in the Bombay Exhibition Centre from January 28-30.

"Customs were demanding taxes which we refused to pay. We may have renegotiated them down but feel it is too late now," Grupo Garvey's export manager Kettle Gronni told Harpers.co.uk. "We are very disappointed we have come all this way and cannot showcase our wines."

The customs issue was the second in just 24 hours to plague the conference. Judges for the third edition of the Indian Wine Challenge were severely delayed after wines entering the competition were held back by the logistics company, Siddharth, connected to the conference organisers.

It is believed the wineries, whose wines arrived by couriers including DHL, had not paid Siddharth all the duty owed in time for the competition. "The wineries were billed only last Saturday and that was the reason a lot of them had not paid," an industry source said.

Robert Joseph, chairman of the Indian Wine Challenge, said: "It was still an efficiently run competition once the wines arrived but lets just say it was quite a bumpy ride behind the scenes."

South Africa, dubbed the new "great potential" for the Indian market won three gold medals.
Indian distributor Vishal Kadakia, proprietor of Winepark told Harpers.co.uk: "South Africa shows great potential for India.
It has the essential key points; quality wines at cheap prices, that are in demand because a lot of Indians have or are visiting South Africa due to the Indian Premier League. South Africa is also on the radar because it is holding the 2010 FiFA World Cup.

"I have deleted two or three wines, one from Barossa and the others from Spain and Napa to make room for South Africa.

"Indian distributors have to be very dynamic as to what they take on as it's very tough out there and the hotels and retailers want something that will be in demand."

His views were backed by Craig Wedge, vice president of distributor FineWinesnMore,  who said "South Africa had the greatest potential."

Gold Medal Winners in Indian Wine Challenge
Champagne Lanson, Black Label NV, France.
Gulfi Nerojbleo Nero D'Avola 2006, Italy.
Saint Clair Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2009, New Zealand.
Vallegre Vinhos do Portugal SA, Vista aAllegre vintage Port
2007, Portugal.
Kutjevo DD Traminer 2003, Croatia.
Vallegre Vinhos do Portugal SA's Vista Allegre 30 year old
NV, Portugal.
Rietvallei Estate, Esteanna 2007, South Africa.
Saronsberg, Seismic 2006, South Africa.
Veenwouden Merlot 2006, South Africa.

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