By ROOPAK GOSWAMI
Guwahati, Sep 21: The distinctive flavours, shaped by Meghalaya’s unique terrain and climate bowled wine connoisuers at Vinexpo India.
The Meghalaya pavilion which was the biggest at the expo offered a delightful array of fruit wines made from native fruits like Sohiong, Te.gism, and Te.patang. Visitors were enamoured with their distinctive flavours, shaped by Meghalaya’s unique terrain and climate. The highlight of the pavilion was the Blue Pea Mead Wine, which captivated both buyers and enthusiasts with its rich flavour profile and vibrant presentation.
The prestigious Vinexpo India 2024 on Sep 18-19 in Mumbai left a remarkable impact on the country’s wine and spirits sector. This year, Meghalaya took centre stage, elevating its growing fruit wine industry to the national and international spotlight. Organized by Vinexposium in partnership with InterAds Exhibitions Pvt Ltd, the B2B trade show saw the participation of winemakers, buyers, producers, and enthusiasts from over 20 countries. However, the spotlight shone brightest on Meghalaya’s fruit wine, which dazzled both connoisseurs and industry professionals.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the Mumbai Exhibition Centre, was graced by Shri Kyrmen Shylla, the Minister for Excise, Government of Meghalaya, as the chief guest. He outlined the vision for Meghalaya’s fruit wine industry, emphasizing the state’s rich biodiversity and its potential in India’s expanding wine market. The Argentinean Ambassador to India, Rajan Sharma, and Sonal Holland, India’s first and only Master of Wine were present on the occasion. Sonal Holland highlighted the significance of Vinexpo India as a platform that bridges the gap between producers and markets in a dynamic Indian economy while the Argentinean Ambassador emphasized the growing Indo-Argentine wine relations.
The Meghalaya pavilion was the biggest in the expo and the most visited one. Lots of foreign importers were keen to know more about the products.
“I have been tasting the fruit wines made by the Meghalayan fruit winemakers for the last three years at various expos in Mumbai and Delhi. There are fabulous varieties of indigenous Fruits in Meghalaya which have been used. The quality of the wines has also improved tremendously. The support by Meghalaya government to these winemakers was commendable indeed” Chinmaya Arjun Raja – Wine Educator – Chennai told TME.
“The Meghalaya stand at the recently concluded Vinexpo in Mumbai was of international standards. They should work towards the availability of these drinks at many important cities/states in India” Raja said.
“They are certainly a force to reckon in ” fruit wines ” In India. If they are mentored and supported, they can go to international levels too,” he said.
“The fruit wines we tasted were surprisingly of commendable quality. It is good to see serious efforts being put in. It’ll take some time before people understand the fruits behind these wines, some not too familiar outside of Meghalaya. However, it’s visible that these fruit wines will be considered a respectable offering not only at a local level but at the national level” Gagan Sharma, Certified Sommelier and Wine Educator told TME.
The Meghalaya Pavilion was one of the most visited sections of the event showcasing five leading winemakers from the state—Kynjai Winery, Umpohliew Wines, Kevell Wines, Asame Wines, and Dura Wines. The highlight of the pavilion was the Blue Pea Mead Wine, which captivated both buyers and enthusiasts with its rich flavour profile and vibrant presentation.
One of the event’s standout moments was the masterclass titled “Red Wines from the Meghalayan Fruit Wine Treasure,” delivered by Priyanka Save, the Fruit Wine Ambassador for Meghalaya Farmers Empowerment Commission. This session provided attendees with a deep understanding of Meghalaya’s fruit wine heritage, with a focus on red wines made from Sohiong and Te.gism. The class not only highlighted the region’s winemaking processes but also underscored the versatility of its fruit wines. For many, this was an introduction to Meghalaya’s expanding wine industry, and the response was overwhelmingly positive.
” We have got inquiries from a lot of people at the expo who want to come and see wineries in Meghalaya. It has been an inspiring moment for all of us” Executive Advisor & Chairman MFEC B K Sohliya said. Sohliya is the person behind the planning and execution of the event and had chalked out the vision to make Meghalaya fruit wines a name to reckon with in the international wine community.
The two-day event allowed the state’s winemakers to network with international producers, explore new markets, and showcase their brands on a global platform. As Meghalaya continues to carve out its space in India’s wine industry, Vinexpo Mumbai 2024 marked a critical moment of exposure, solidifying the state’s fruit wine industry as a serious contender on the world stage.
The event has certainly helped Meghalaya in emerging as a promising leader in the fruit wine sector paving the way for future growth, collaboration, and success in this rapidly evolving industry.
