AY: The booming Indian wine industry is facing a crisis with two deadly viruses affecting farms across Maharashtra, which accounts for 94 per cent of country's wine production. The viruses, detected as leafroll and rugose wood complex, have infected varieties like Chardonnay, Ugni Blanc, Pinot Noir and Vermentino as also Merlot, Zinfandel and Roussance imported from France and Italy. With the Pune-based National Research Centre for Grapes (NRC) confirming the presence of the disease, the state government has decided to stop import of plant material and sought expert opinion. Last year, Maharashtra produced 9.4 million litres of wine and this year the production is expected to cross 13 million litres from 51 wineries. The total investment in wineries in the state stands at Rs 247.71 crore and the state exported 0.45 million litres of wine last year. The domestic wine consumption in 2006-07 went up up to 11.30 million litres, from 7.50 million litres a year ago. Wine production especially got a boost after 2003 when the state announced sops for farmers.
Labels: Top-Stories
