Wine expo evokes good response

Mahawine: 2008, a megawine expo-cum-seminar organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Nashik, saw around 400 delegates from across the country and abroad.

Around 30 stalls by various wineries and wine-related companies, including grape-growers, were put up and close to 70 grapewine products were on display.

Nashik-based Sula Vineyards, the second largest grapewine producer in the country, chose the occasion to introduce its new product, Dia.

Besides, experts from Australia, France, South Africa and Italy deliberated on topics related to the wine industry. While MR Pera of PERA Materials (France) spoke on 'Wine Equipment', Enrico Bocca of Vason (Italy) spoke on 'Management of Alcoholic Formation of Wine'.

Other topics included 'Decision Making and Economic Impact on Vineyards' by Steve Brunato of LD Wines (Australia) and 'Viruses in Grapevines: Causes, Concerns and Management' by Johannes Jacobus Wiese, a viticulturist from South Africa.

PM Sumesh of Kochi-based iSmart Business Solutions explained how ERP (enterprise, resource, planning) was useful for the industry.

Shamrao Chaugule, chairman, Champagne Indage, said Maharashtra wine had a special taste as the state was blessed with quality soil, good climate besides availability of adequate water.