France Bon Appétit

France dominates the fine wine market because of its terroir and its refined vinification techniques. The diversity of grape varieties, each one linked to a different soil, climatic conditions and the know-how of its wine producers, means that collectively the French vineyards are varied and rich. French wines benefit from a well-established industry and also from rigorous controls, advantages that can respond to the different needs of the Indian consumers.

A very attractive market

India is a very important consumer of alcohol. The Wine and spirit global market is estimated at 18,46 billion €. Although the Indian market mainly leans towards whisky, beer and others strong alcohols, the wine market is significant and growing rapidly. Indian people likes wine, the first recorded evidence of wine consumption in India goes back to 3000 years ago.

The consumption is estimated at 10 million litres in 2008 and should double by 2011 concerning that the projected growth rate of 30% a year announced. 75% of the consumers are located in only three states: Karnataka, Maharastra and Delhi.

A notable presence

France is the largest exporter of wine in India. With 81 500 crates exported in 2007, French wine represents 40, 5 % of the Indian imports. A long way ahead of countries such as Australia (45 000 crates), the USA (30 000 crates), Italy (16 500 crates) France remains the leading country for imported wines.

The main distribution channel where French wines can be found today are the Hotels/Restaurants, certain wine merchants and supermarket.

Various needs

Behaviours especially at the moment of the meals are different, and the consumption of wine displays these habits which valued long apéritifs and a fast departure of the dinner guests after the meal. These habits encouraged consumption by the glass rather than during the meal, except for certain business lunches. The preferences of the Indian consumer go to still wines and to table wines. Sweet wines adapt pretty well to the Indian cuisine, and we find a real interest for this type of wine. Only to date the superior and middle classes have the means to consume some wine but it represents nevertheless more than 300 million consumers.

The benchmark for quality

From a rich and diverse terroir, created by dedicated and knowledgeable producers, French wines are recognised across the world for their outstanding quality.

The most influential wine critic, the American Robert Parker, confided to Le Figaro in April 2008 that ‘French wines remain the reference point for all countries which produce great wine. It’s greatness and intrinsic quality has become the reference point influencing winemakers across every country where they are consciously evaluating their products. Today French wines have progressed considerably in quality even in difficult vintages.’

The Regions and the Terroirs

A good vineyard terroir is a combination of the variety of vine, soil, climate and man’s know-how. In France vines are cultivated in very different regions, but always where there is a moderate climate which is favourable to vegetal development. 872,000 hectares are given over to vines, with around 144,000 grape growing businesses.

The climate, the diversity of grapes as well as the variety of French soils favours vine cultivation across a range of terroirs:
- Alsace, Champagne and Burgundy have a continental climate.
- Bordeaux, the South-West and the Loire Valley have an Atlantic climate
- The Rhône Valley, the South, Provence and Corsica have a Mediterranean climate.

Variety and Richness

With its large regions as well as its abundance of isolated vineyards in 2006 France offered over 400 Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée wines and 152 Vins de Pays. This means that it can keep its place as one of the first producers and exporters of wine in the world (in 2006).

A lively and aromatic Crément d’Alsace, a rich and unctuous Sauternes, a supple and meaty Saint-Emilion, a soft and aromatic Côtes du Rhône or a full bodied and intense Saint-Estèphe… the range is so large it is always possible to find a French wine which suits the dish, the mood or the whim of the moment.

Sources : French Customs, vitisphere.com

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