PANAJI: Most wine liquids with a percentage of alcohol called wine in India are actually not wine, when compared with the high quality standard wines produced in Europe. This is the view of Italian Mr Signor Lucio Matricardi the chief winemaker of Big Banyan Wines bottled and labeled in Cuncolim Industrial Estate by
John Distilleries Ltd.

Wines based by European standards are clean without defects of oxidation; high volatile acidity; and are stored in wooden barrels made of quality standard woods. For a small market like Goa is becoming more and more globalized with a wide multinational presence and new competitors are getting into the niche market in Goa to get more international leverage. Winemakers from Maharashtra and Karnataka now offer so called premium wines with brand names similar to the wines made in Europe and America, even the stylish bottling can match European class. But most of these wines with copied names are not the real stuff, Mr Matricardi said.

In a casual chat with the Navhind Times, Mr Matricardi said the new winemakers are putting pressure on the fringes of the old wine players either in terms of price or quality creating rivals. For that reason, Paul John chairman of John Distillers Ltd desired a wine of premium European quality, but affordable to
all consumers.

Mr Matricardi took it has a challenge, and produced wines with pleasing notes. He said Goa, particularly India, does not have a wine commission to test all wines before it could enter the market. For want of a Government Commission, most Indian wines lack quality and standards. The wine commission in Europe comprises three wine makers and a journalist. Tasting Chandon wine it needs to have a high quality standard, balanced and enjoyable.

Only when the wine commission agrees the wine is technically well done meaning the fermentation process is correct. It gives its seal of approval to bottle it. Wines without the authorization of the wine commission can be sold as bulk wine and not bottled or labeled.

In collaboration with the University of Milan horticulturist Dr Toninato Luca found a suitable place in Ramnagar, near Bangalore and Big Banyan acquired 25 acres. It is 900 m above sea level, very cold at night and warm during the day. Special cultivated grapes are grown for making Chenin blanc; Sauvignon blanc; (both white wine) Zinfandel (red wine); Shiraz (red wine) and cabernet Sauvignon. Each name is a specific grape variety. About 40 per cent of the grape is sourced from Sholapur. The harvest time is in the month of March when the grapes are plucked. The grapes are imported to the Cuncolim plant to go through the process of manufacturing, bottling and labeling. The Goa bottling capacity is two lakh liters.

All the seven premium wines of Big Banyan cost Rs450 per 750 ml bottle are healthy drinks, and follow the principles of the J-Factor. The wines meet the strict European quality standards and they are the best in India, Mr Matricardi said.