Grape Expectations as Harvey-Miller Wine and Spirit Agencies (HMWSA) launches ‘New’ Old World Wine from India into the UK

Harvey-Miller Wine and Spirit Agencies (HMWSA), distributors of a portfolio of international wine and spirit brands, is to launch a range of premium Indian wines from Indage Vineyards into the UK on and off trade market.

The reserve wines are available in the following styles: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah and are packaged in 75cl bottles.

HMWSA are sole UK agents for “Indage Vineyards” Reserve wines, which offer a unique point of difference: single-varietals which over-deliver at their price point and are very well-balanced, expressive, and fruit-driven with superb varietal character and unobtrusive alcohol levels.

The wines will be launched into the UK at The BBC Good Food Show in Birmingham from 28 November – 2 December 2007. Visitors to stand Hall 18, Stand 195 will be able to sample the different products.

Nick Harvey-Miller, Chairman at HMWSA said:

“The variety and quality of Indage Vineyards’ wines will appeal to many different customers. We will not be just aiming at the Indian restaurants’ market. With over a 1,000 year history of growing grapes and making wine, Indage is the oldest wine producer in India and has been the pioneer of the revitalisation of India’s vineyards.

“The challenge obviously will be in educating customers and consumers that India is a credible and viable wine producing country but it is a challenge that we are very excited about. The wines will sell for between £6.99 and £7.49 and will happily compete on any wine list or in retail with the best that California and France has to offer.”

Indage Vineyards are situated in Himatchal region of India, where high altitudes allow more delicate white grapes to be grown. Paul Nelson, a young Australian, is the winemaker at Indage Vineyards.

Apart from the oddities of climate, with the monsoon rains being a challenge, India actually has all the right qualities for quality wine production. Indage vineyards are at different altitudes to provide a range of temperatures, and a ready and willing workforce to tend the vineyards. Everything is done by hand in the vineyards, from pruning to picking.

With 18 varieties under vine across 1,200 acres plus extensive contract growers, Indage is completely self-sufficient for its grapes and even has over 120 varieties of grapes under trial in their own nursery, which also provide new plants to growers.

Its whites, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Chenin and its reds, namely its Shiraz and Cabernets are the grapes that are showing real promise. Their Sauvignons are very close in flavour to a New Zealand wine with bright grassy fruit and stunning complexity. Their Chenin comes from a cool area where there is slate in the subsoil, giving the wine great herbaceous zestiness. The Shiraz has a very distinct style, which is more Cotes du Rhone than Australian in style, while the Cabernets are getting bigger as the vines age, needing several months in French oak to mellow.

For further information on distribution, contact Alistair Mutch at Harvey-Miller Wine & Spirit Agencies on tel: 08445 611 252 or visit www.hmwsa.com