Is India the World's new wine hot spot?

The industry has never particularly regarded India as a wine centre of the world. However new findings on the rate of wine consumption in the sub-continental nation suggests that maybe they should start. Is India the world’s newest wine hot spot?

Up until now the Ideal Wine Company has been in agreement with the rest of the industry in the opinion that India is not a big market for wine. We don’t feature any Indian wines on our product list and quite frankly that’s because there are no wines of repute that have caught the attention of the industry that have been produced in Indian vineyards.

However India is one of the world’s oldest societies and it in fact has a robust viticultural heritage. Vineyards have been cultivated in the integral Indus Valley for centuries and the first vineyards were thought to have been introduced by traders from neighbouring Persia.

Wine has seen more troubling times in recent history. Despite the fact that cultivation of the crop was encouraged by Portuguese and English colonisers – the hot and humid climate is perfect for the practise – a phylloxera louse damaged the country’s crop in the late 19^th Century. Then the prohibition wave that swept the country in the wake of independence hampered it further for decades.

However it looks like India is once again embracing one of its cultural traditions and in this case the numbers really don’t lie. Whilst the practise of wine making still isn’t particularly strong in the region, consumption has grown by leaps and bounds.

The Indian Express reported that a Vinexpo survey showed that the rate of wine consumption will have risen to 2.1 million cases in the sub-continental nation by the end of 2017. This is an increase of 73% from the 1.10 million cases the nation collectively consumed in 2013.

Broken down, the Vinexpo survey showed that red wine was the clear winner, as Indians are expected to drink around 1.15 million cases over the coming year. Furthermore the survey showed that growing red wine consumption is expected to increase from 61% to 71.6% of the total figure by 2017. This means that India really is a hot market for red wine right now.

These numbers are hardly conclusive; they are predictions based on expectations. However even a survey such as this highlights a growing trend of wine consumption in India. It’s certainly clear that whilst India may not, by definition, be a wine hotspot, it is certainly the new frontier for the world’s wine industry. 

Miracle Machine: An Update

Last week we spoke about the Miracle Machine; the new device that turns water into wine, and what it could mean for wine drinkers across the world. Well we promised you an update and here it is. What more do we know now about the Miracle Machine?

First let’s start with what we already knew, which wasn’t that much. It’s the creation of wine industry veteran Kevin Boyer and it uses modern technology developed by experts in Silicon Valley to turn water into wine. That’s all we knew. However we did know that the device was to be unveiled in its entirety this week.

Now it has been unveiled we know a lot more about how the Miracle Machine actually works. We know that it uses water, grape concentrate, yeast and a finishing powder (designed to inject a barrel-aged-flavour) to the mix, to make wine.

However Boyer kept quiet about how the wine-bottle sized appliance actually turns these ingredients into wine. So the ‘miracle element’ of the Miracle Machine has been well and truly left intact. However it really is only a matter of time until we all find out and we do know that the process is supposed to take three days.

However Boyer and his entrepreneur partner Phillip Vine did give us some hints. At the unveiling of the revolutionary product, they were quoted as saying that the process the machine uses to make it happen employs "an array of electrical sensors, transducers, heaters and pumps."

Whilst many in the industry still doubt the quality of the wine it can produce- don’t expect any with the quality of those we feature on the Ideal Wine Company product list to appear anytime soon – it is attracting investors by bucket load. With the soon to be launched kickstarter campaign expected to bring in the crucial funding, the Miracle Machine should hit the markets at around $499.

However developers are clearly ready to push the machine on the wider public and as such have designed an app to accompany purchase of the Miracle Machine. It links to the device via Bluetooth and according to Boyer and Vine allows you to track the wine making process of the machine with your smartphone.

At the Ideal Wine Company we welcome any innovation that helps the wine industry to evolve. Saying that we doubt it’ll be a source of true quality luxury wine. Where this whole project goes from here has yet to be determined. 

Is It Possible to Turn Water into Wine?

You may think that turning water into wine in the real world is impossible, but is it really? It turns out that it might not be, thanks to one new gadget set to hit the shelves soon. 

At the Ideal Wine Company we’ve always been fascinated by the long and varied history of wine. One of its most well-known parts, according to certain sources, occurred 2,000 years ago, when a man called Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding in Canaan. 

Whilst the water into wine story is the one myths are made of, and one that has come to hold a particular significance in the Christian religion, it’s not something that we ever thought could be replicated in the modern day. After all, scientifically we would conclude that it’s impossible.

However we might have to change our minds on that as this week technology blogs have blown up with the news of the release of one simple gadget that could, in theory, replicate this amazing feat.

According to sources, it is called the ‘Miracle Machine’ (perhaps a nod to the miracle of the gospels) and it could be set to hit the mainstream very soon. It’s due to launch on kickstarter next week, so we’ll have to wait until then to get the full details.

However we can start with what we do know. When you look a little deeper it turns out that it’s less about recreating a miracle and more about making the wine making process more scientific to bring it into the 21^st Century.

The idea was first conceptualised by wine industry veterans, Kevin Boyer and Phillip James. After doing some research in tech haven Silicone Valley, they determined that they could bring something more scientific to the process of wine making. However it took a lot of experimenting and a year before their efforts bore any fruit.

We don’t really know how it works yet; we’ve have to wait until next week to find out. However at the Ideal Wine Company we even find the idea of the Miracle Machine fascinating. However, it’s in its infancy and we somewhat doubt the quality of the wine it would produce. It’s hardly going to be luxury.

So it may not be perfect but the Miracle Machine does highlight something about the wine industry; it thrives on innovation. It has to, in order to keep up with 21^st Century technology. The Miracle Machine very well could be the next step. 

Learning About Wine: Where Can You Start?

Wine is one of the most amazingly complex things you can learn about; there’s so much variety that you’ve never really learned it all. Saying that, where can you start?

At the Ideal Wine Company we recognise that if you’re in the market for a luxury bottle and you feel somewhat lacking in your knowledge of the drink, it can be intimidating. There are so many questions to ask and so many answers. This is because wine is such a versatile drink that there’s no definitive answer.

However there are sources you can go to in order to transform yourself form wine buffoon to wine buff. Remember that knowledge is power; the more you have, in this case, the more likely you are to make an informed decision when it comes to choosing your luxury bottle.

The first place to start is the internet. Considering the wealth of information on the World Wide Web, it shouldn’t surprise you that there are thousands of guides on there, ready and waiting to teach about wine. However you have to remember that information from the internet isn’t always reliable, so take it with a pinch of salt.

However if you’re looking to move on from internet guides, why not get adventurous and take a trip to a vineyard? There are some particularly beautiful vineyards on the continent and most have tours on offer that teach you about the entire process of viticulture. It makes the perfect getaway and reminds you that when you wish to learn about something, you always need to know where it comes from.

If a getaway to a continental vineyard isn’t in the cards for you right now, why not try a wine tasting course? These days, colleges around the country feature entire classes dedicated to learning about the wine and the great thing about this option is that you get to engage with an expert. Not only can you hear from them, but put your questions to them for a deeper understanding of the drink you’ve come to love.

Finally, if you want to strike out on your own, why not form a collective? Start your own wine tasting group. You’d be surprised how many people in your neighbourhood would be invested in such a group, and you can use it as an opportunity to learn and grow together. There’s nothing like a shared experience to foster a deeper understanding.

At the Ideal Wine Company we’ve always seen the mystery as one of the reasons that wine is so fascinating. You can never know it all, but you can clock up some life changing experiences trying. 

Tips for Making the Most Out of Your Winery Visit

Taking a trip out to a winery is becoming a popular tourist activity for wine enthusiasts and lay people alike. Considering the breadth and scope of a visit to a winery, what can you do to make the most of your trip?

A winery is so much more than a vineyard these days. In countries such as France, Spain, Italy and the US it is a tourist attraction that draws in millions of people every year.

It’s obvious why. Vineyards are by nature stunningly picturesque and for wine enthusiasts they offer the perfect chance to sample what the winery has coming up in the next season. For non-enthusiasts it presents a unique opportunity to learn more about the wine making process.

However considering just how vast the opportunities are that come with such a visit, how can you make the most of your time? There are a few simple tips that you can follow to do just that.

Start by having knowledge of what the winery actually produces. In this case it’s not enough to be a wine buff; you need to at least have a basic knowledge off their particular product. That way you have a base of knowledge on which the visit can build and you can come to some unique insights. A trip to winery really is a learning experience.

It’s also important to have an open wine. These wineries are so varied in what they produce and when it comes tie for the taste testing, there’ going to be something there that you are unfamiliar with. Don’t let this hold you back, embrace the unknown. You never know what this new experience could bring to you.

Also try going off the beaten track if you can. It’s always wise to start off by taking the official tour, but after that it’ll just hold you back. If you have the opportunity hire a car and find the hidden gems that can only be found off the beaten track. This’ll make it a unique experience you’ll always remember.

Finally take the taster approach. Taste, let the wine slide to sides of your tongue then spit. This isn’t a time to drink to get drunk. By taking the taster approach you can cleanse your palette and gain the opportunity to experience all the different types of drink the winery has to offer.

At the Ideal Wine Company we applaud those wineries that make themselves open to the greater public; after all how can people learn about this amazing tradition if they don’t have access to it? When you get the opportunity to visit a winery make the most of it!

Monasteries: The Cradle of Modern Viticulture

Reading about the Vatican’s prominence in the world of wine this week reminds us here at the Ideal Wine Company of the role religion has played in the wine trade for centuries. That’s why we wanted to explore the role of monasteries in modern viticulture.

It’s no secret that wine was a staple of the ancient world. Civilisations from the Egyptians to the Babylonians to the Assyrians to the Persians, Greeks and Romans all counted wine as a part of their daily lives. This led to the infamous inclusion of wine as part of the Last Supper of Jesus Christ before his crucifixion.

This is where the monastic wine tradition originates from; through the inclusion of wine in a ceremony (communion) designed to mimic the Last Supper. In order to have a constant supply on hand for ceremonies it was practical for monasteries to get involved in the wine trade.

It was all very practical but viticulture faced dangerous times after the fall of the Roman Empire, as did many other vestiges of the former super power. Indeed in the western world of the time, these practises only survived the dark ages due to their involvement from the monastic community.

This meant that not only did monks become the most prolific winemakers in Christendom; they also were the ones who wrote great literature, who produced great art, who became philosophers and appreciators of the classics. Ancient culture survived to influence the intellectuals of the enlightenment period largely in part because of the efforts of the monastic community.

This dedication has meant that the monastic community became responsible for spreading viticulture throughout the new world. When the Spanish began colonising the America’s, for example, the monks planted vineyards so that they would have a supply of communion wine. This was the birth of the California wine trade.

This period also saw the community contribute heavily to one of the worlds most beloved wine traditions; that enjoyed by France, the most famous maker of wine internationally. Monks had key roles in the creation of famous French products including most notably Champagne and Cognac.

The monastic tradition was in large part responsible for many of the luxury wines that we feature on the Ideal Wine Company product list today. This is why we always have to remember that innovation and creation in this most diverse industry comes from the most unusual places. It really is a match made in heaven.

Vatican City: Wine Capital of the World

Believe it or not readers this week reports have confirmed one fact; Vatican City is the wine capital of the world. Why exactly is this and what does it say about larger global wine trends?

Despite the fact that Vatican City, an enclave inside the Italian capital of Rome, is the smallest country of the world, and despite the fact that only boasts a population of roughly 800, it is the wine capital of the world. This is because data shows that more wine is drunk, per person, than in any other country.

Specifically data shows that people who live in Vatican City on average drink 74 litres in one year. This is actually roughly the equivalent of 105 bottles which means that they would be drinking one bottle every three days.

This actually stands at double the amount per person drunk by the populations of wine havens France and Italy. It’s actually triple the amount drunk by people at home here in the UK. So why is this? What really makes the Vatican the wine capital of the world?

One thing we have to think about here is demographics. Whichever way you look at it even the most ignorant person cannot deny that the Vatican has a somewhat unrepresentative of the rest of the world demographic. After all the Vatican is the traditional seat of power of the Papacy, the leadership of Catholicism.

So obviously communion services, which regularly involve the use of wine, come into play here. However aside from this, the population of the Vatican is old white males that are highly educated and eat in large groups.  These demographics all contribute to the fact that people in the Vatican drink more wine than anyone else in the world.

Here we see how wine has played a key role in the culture of the western world for centuries. The Catholic Church has performed communion with the use of wine, to mimic Christ, for as long as anybody can remember and it makes sense that in light of this the Vatican, a community of Catholic priests and officials, would be the wine capital of the world.

At the Ideal Wine Company this reminds us of the history and cultural value of wine. It’s been around longer than almost anything else and that history is still factoring into its popularity today.