Two South Australian wineries – McLaren Vale-based Wirra Wirra and Langhorne Creek’s Metala’s – have made a debut in the Indian market at the ProWine Mumbai 2023.
Metala’s 2021 White Label Shiraz has taken out the best international red wine – Shiraz award and Our 2018 William Formby Cabernet Sauvignon received a Gold Medal as well.
ProWine Mumbai brings together the finest domestic and international wine and spirit makers along with experts for a conference program and trade fair.
Metala commercial manager Justin McCarthy said in a statement:
“Given Australia is a proud, quality wine-producing country – and India is only just starting to learn about wine – we have a genuine opportunity as an industry to ensure sommeliers, retailers and consumers alike, learn about South Australia’s wine history, our regional differences and our high-quality varietal options in the way we want the story told.”
This event is considered a key milestone for South Australia as the wine sector which is looking to grow its trade footprint in India.
South Australia’s Trade and Investment Minister Nick Champion said:
“We have premium wine – and produce to accompany – and we will be pulling every lever at our disposal to ensure South Australia is front of mind when the Indian market is choosing which Australian state to import their wine from.”
Along with Wirra Wirra and Metala, the trade show is hosting a total of 10 South Australian brands: Lambert Estate, O’Leary Walker Wines, Kingston Estate Wines, 1837 Barossa, Mitolo Wines, Lindsay Estate Wines, Haselgrove Wines and Eight at the Gate Wines.
All of the wineries were supported by a state government program designed to help introduce new local wines to India.
To further support the government’s efforts to boost South Australian wine exports to India, Mr Champion also launched the Indian Chapter of the South Australian Wine Ambassadors Club.
Mr Champion has appointed Aspri Spirits strategy and operations advisor Pritish Matai along with Anggel’s Share sales and marketing director Rajesh Israni as ambassadors.
Experts believe that Wirra Wirra and Metala’s entry into India will help pave the way for more local brands that are hoping to expand exports benefitting from the reduced tariffs under AIECTA.
India is South Australia’s fifth largest merchandise export market, with the state exporting almost $1.1 billion of goods in the 12 months to September this year.
Wine consumption in India is expected to nearly double by 2025 and the South Australian wine exports totalled $9.5 million for the year ending September 2023.
Support Our Journalism
Global Indian Diaspora needs fair, non-hyphenated, and questioning journalism, packed with on-ground reporting. The Australia Today – with exceptional reporters, columnists, and editors – is doing just that. Sustaining this needs support from wonderful readers like you.
Whether you live in Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States of America, or India you can take a paid subscription by clicking Patreon. Buy an annual ‘The Australia Today Membership’ to support independent journalism and get special benefits.
