Wine makers and tasters came together in the city here on Friday as the three-day Bangalore International Wine Festival 2014 was kicked off amid much grandeur.
As many as 35 wineries including seven international wineries are participating in the festival organised by the Karnataka Wine Board and Department of Horticulture, Karnataka. To attract wine lovers, all companies participating in the festival will be offering a 10 per cent discount on the wines. The cost ranges from Rs. 50 a bottle to Rs. 3,250.
Inaugurating the festival, Horticulture and Agricultural Marketing Minister Shamanur Shivashankarappa said that a country which used to import wine is exporting it and recognised for its wines. “Districts such as Bagalkot, Bidar and Bijapur in Karnataka grow grapes in large quantities which have led to setting up of many wine companies. Though beer too is a popular drink, wine is a good drink due to its health benefits,” he said.
With 19, 700 hectares of grape crop, Karnataka’s estimated annual production is 3.21 lakh metric tonnes and is second in the country in production and acreage. According to the Wine Board, the State has seen growth in area of grape cultivation from 500 to over 2000 acres in the last six years.
Chairman of the Karnataka Wine Board, G. V. Krishna Rau, said that the aim of organising the festival was to help grape growers benefit economically. “We need to support the growers by promoting the wine industry. The government will interact with the various industries and discuss how we can help promote growth and exposure of the industry,” he said.
Over the three days, technical and business sessions, wine sale, tasting and food pairing sessions for the public and all stakeholders will be conducted. The entry fee is Rs. 49 per head.
