India keen to join global wine trade fraternity

PUNE: After becoming the first country from Asia to become the member of the Paris-based International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), India now aspires to become member of the World Wine Trade Group (WWTG), an informal grouping of industry representatives from wine-producing countries.

India has for the first time participated as an observer in the ongoing meeting of WWTG in Washington DC.

"We want to become a member of WWTP as it will help in the international trading of our wines," said Jagdish Holkar, chairman of Indian Grape Processing Board (IGPB).

OIV membership helps India get access to the state-of-the-art scientific knowledge about vines, wines and grapes. WWTG members include Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, New Zealand, South Africa and USA. The group has the representatives of both the industry as well as the government.

India is one of the major wine producers from the New World. It has also emerged as an important wine consumer. As a result, becoming a member of WWTG will help India trade wines.

WWTG developed Mutual Acceptance Agreement (MAA) on oenological practices recognises different wine-making practices prevalent in different countries without using them as trade hurdles by the signatories.