Wine vendors Inc
THE WINE CLUB
| This phenomenon really started in 2001, when alcoholic beverages were taken off the "Restricted List" of imports "" today wines (and other alcoholic beverages) can be imported by anyone under OGL (Open General Licence) "" all one needs in an Import-Export Code, and you're off and running...which is why today there are probably more than 100 importers big and small. |
| So who are these wine importers, and what do they import? |
| The biggest wine importer today is undoubtedly Brindco International, headquartered in Delhi, which this year would probably finish with depletions of some 25,000 cases (one case being 12 bottles of 750 ml each). Boss Aman Dhall's father has distributed spirits for McDowells (now United Spirits) for many years, and Aman himself did a stint overseas with UDV before returning to start up the distribution of imported alcoholic beverages around 2001. |
| Brindco has tie-ups with at least 62 wineries from 11 countries "" a portfolio of over 500 wines, including such venerable marques as Baron Philippe de Rothschild, E Guigal, Albert Bichot and Louis Jadot (France); Allegrini, Marchesi di Barolo and Gaja (Italy); Joseph Phelps, Francis Coppola, Caymus and Opus One (California); and Leeuwin Estate, Wolf Blass and Peter Lehman (Australia). |
| Aman confesses that they didn't make any money for the first five years "" but that he had a lot of fun setting up the business, and that interacting with the owners of the top winemakers was a bonus no amount of money could buy. Today, Brindco is the key vendor of wines (and many spirits) to top hotel chains in India "" including the Taj and Welcomgroup hotels. |
| The second-largest wine importer has to be Sanjay Menon's Sonarys Co-Op Brands. Based in Mumbai, Sonarys focuses only on imported wines (and beer) and has been in this business since 1974 (in its earlier avatar as Sansula). |
| Sonarys has a fantastic portfolio of 350 labels from over 45 wineries in 11 countries, including Montes (Chile); Arrowwood, Clos du Val and Robert Mondavi (California); Faiveley, Hugel et Fils, Domaine Laroche, Paul Jaboulet Aine and Pascal Jolivet (France); and Antinori, Umberto Cesari, Michel Chiarlo and Prunetto (Italy). |
| Sonarys will probably do about 20,000 cases in 2006/07, and has formed enduring links with most upscale hotels in the major cities and with his own principals: a recent coup was bringing the Primum Familiae Vini "" the First Families of Wine (family members of 11 of the most prestigious family-owned winemakers in Europe) "" to Mumbai for wine tasting and dinner |
| Next in line would probably be Global Tax Free (Delhi). Mukul Mehra and his son Adil have built an enviable track record of providing a range of excellent wines to their customers. They operate from a lovely bungalow in Sainik Farms "" the compound also houses their air-conditioned bonded warehouse where their repertoire of wines are lovingly stored. |
| GTF would probably have sold about 15,000 cases by March 07 "" their portfolio includes wines from Laurent Perrier, Jean Claude Boisset, Joseph Drouhin, Rene Barbier and Calvet (France); Casa Givelli, Cassetta and Fontella (Italy); Taylor's of Australia, Concha y Toro of Chile, the giant KVW of South Africa, and Trivento from Argentina. |