French winemakers hopeful of Indian market despite tariff barriers - ET HospitalityWorld.

Although India is still a small market for French wines and spirits by volume, France's wine producers and exporters are quite optimistic about the evolving lifestyle trends in the Indian market and want to continue working with Indian importers and distributors.

The 7th edition of the Tastin France event was held at the French Embassy in Delhi.

After a decline in imports in 2020 due to Covid-19, French wines and spirits regained their market position in 2021, with volumes growing by nearly 30 percent and sales value increasing by 100 percent in 2022 according to Business France, the national agency for the promotion of French businesses and''brands on international markets and improve investment in France.

French wine producers and exporters are confident of this, which was fully reflected in their participation in the 7th edition of the 'Tastin'\''France' event in Delhi.

The event was attended by 21 wine producers and exporters who presented their products to Indian importers and hoteliers.

The event was attended by 21 manufacturers and exporters who presented their products to Indian importers and hospitality industry representatives. These included both regular exhibitors who have already participated in previous shows as well as new companies looking for partnerships with Indian importers.

The increasing number of French wine producers willing to participate in these events and present their products to Indian importers reflects the gradual growth in popularity of the Tastin'\''France platform, Vianney said'Meunier, head of farm machinery seeding and market entry strategy for South Asia at Business France India.

"Tastin'\''\''France'' is a brand specializing in the promotion of wines and spirits. "In 2023, there have already been 50 Tastin'\''\'' France events in 30 countries," he said.

The South Asia tour began with Colombo, where 8 wine producers and exporters took part, followed by exhibitions in Delhi and then participation at ProWine in Mumbai on November 24 and 25.

Menier said that of the 13 producers who participated in the last Tastin'\''France exhibition in India, 5 of them were able to find importers and make arrangements. They are now regular exhibitors.

"We are pleased as over the past few years'''There have been many successful partnership stories,' he reported.

He said wine is a big part of French exports, so French wine producers have a lot of experience with different markets. The size may not be big at the moment, but they understand the potential of the Indian market.

Talking about the high import duties on French wines, Meunier said that these duties make it difficult to sell quality wines in the market. However, he said that there has been a change in the consumer preferences of Indian consumers for wines, which is an incentive to invest in India.

"While a few years ago wine was drunk mainly in hotels and restaurants, after Covid the introduction of premium retail''outlets in major cities have led to a geometric increase in wine consumption at retail,' said Meunier.

"French companies want to be part of this change," he added.

Participating in Tastin'\''France for the first time, Nicolas Dufour, export manager of Cellier des Princes winery, one of the leading producers of Chateauneuf-de-Pape since 1925, said they are present in over 40 countries and see India as the next promising market.

While admiring the Indian cuisine and culture, Dufour said they offer products to suit all tastes, from affordable to premium wines that will pair well with Indian cuisine and taste preferences.

Samuel Ferjou, export director of Champagne Jeeper, the maker''Boutique Champagne, which is participating in the Indian edition of Tastin'\' France for the second consecutive year, said it has been able to find an importer for one of its brands and plans to find a good partner for its second brand in India this time.

"India has good sommeliers and people with good knowledge of wines who got it while traveling in the West. The market here is definitely getting bigger and better," he said.

The key obstacle, however, is high import duties and taxes on wine, he added.

Alexander Westphal, from the family's Saint Aubin estate in Gers, is exhibiting at Tastin'\''France for the first time. He has presented his iconic bass armagnac, which he believes could find an audience in the Indian market, where the''a popular drink is whisky.

'It's my main product. It's made from grapes. Of our 60 hectares, 36 hectares are dedicated to armagnac," he said.