A delegation from India is currently visiting France to study the secrets of French viticulture in situ. While the Asians are very interested in the wine culture of the country, the French see India as an important market, not only for wines but also for barrels and cellar equipment.

The delegation of 28 Indian cellarmasters and wine producers has come to gather information on the secrets of French winemaking, and has travelled to Bordeaux for this purpose. The visit is the result of a French-Indian commercial agreement concluded recently.

French wine is popular in India, and France is seen as an example of how to make wine. The barrel suppliers in France, on the other hand, see India's rapidly growing wine culture as an opportunity: more than half the cellar equipment used in India is produced in France. In addition, French wine producers are also betting on the booming market of the sub-continent, with consumption forecast to double in the next two years.(WF)