The new winery owners in Maharashtra State are making representations to State Govt. for further liberalizations in wine sector especially distribution and availability.

Mr. Sharad Pawar, Union Minister of Food Processing also shares the same view and opined that wine availability should be further liberalized.

The liquor shops in Maharashtra were mostly called “ Wine Shops” though wine constituted and continues to be a very small business in total sale of alcoholic beverages through these shops.

The State Excise Department has now advised these shops to rename themselves as “Liquor Shops”. Is it being speculated that fresh licences may be issued for setting up shops selling only wine and called “ Wine Shops” to differentiate between liquor and wine and also to create more awareness and easy availability.

If this happens, it will certainly be a good impetus to wine consumption in Maharashtra.

Due to zero excise duty of wines produced and sold in Maharashtra, the prices have already come down and easy availability will definitely boost the sales.

Keep watching the emerging trends.