F&B News

Anada the wine club to go global

Rajesh Rodrigues - Mumbai

From left to right: Dinesh Khanna, Jimi Kapur, Tina, Nishi Khanna, Ranjan Kapur, and Tushar Khanna

Mumbai-based Anada, the wine club launched in 2004 out of 'The Club', now plans to enter Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and other European countries to introduce and promote Indian wines.

Anada, Spanish for the first harvest of grapes, after tasting success in Mumbai, has bigger plans. A 30 per cent growth in sales and awareness of Indian wines, even in countries renowned for its wines, has encouraged the promoter of Anada to explore new opportunities. Ranjan Kapoor, its promoter, said, "Unlike other wine clubs, we not only promote wines but create an environment for wine-tasting. Enjoying the wine is more than tasting and drinking wine. What is more important is the environment like the décor, temperature of the venue, eats with it and knowledge of the product."

The travelling wine club hosts get-to-gathers once in three months. Dinesh Khanna, executive director of Eastern International Hotel, explains, "Initially Anada travelled within the premises of 'The Club' from one restaurant to another and then to the poolside. The difference in venue and environment gave us the idea to carry it beyond its boundaries. We then conducted a session at Sakshi Art Gallery and now we have members offering us venues to conduct these either at their restaurants or other venues." The wines offered are not of any particular region, company, distributor or country. These sessions are open to only members of 'The Club' and its guests.

Rajeev Samant, CEO of Sula Wines, who presented six different wines at a recent event, said, "A travelling wine club is a great concept as it offers people a chance to enjoy and appreciate wine. It also gives us an opportunity to explain people about responsible wine consumption." He added, "Wine companies from India should partner with the club in taking their brands abroad. Indian wines are getting recognised, and these functions give wine connoisseurs an opportunity to taste our product." The wine club will be organising events and seminars on wine, gourmet food and wine, wine and desserts, wine and coffee, cooking with wine, wine tours vineyards across the world, sessions on designing wine cellars for private collectors and art events.