The Future of Wine in India with Rajeev Samant

Over the past two decades, the Indian wine industry has quietly evolved from an ambitious idea into a category with real structure, scale, and confidence. Few companies have shaped that journey more than Sula Vineyards. In this exclusive conversation with Rajeev Samant, Founder & CEO of Sula Vineyards, Sommelier India, Publisher, Shiv Singh explores the forces now shaping the next phase of the industry: shifting EU–India tariff dynamics, the slow realities of distribution, the rise of premium consumption among India’s wealthy, and the role domestic producers will continue to play as the market matures.

The discussion reveals a more nuanced picture than the headlines suggest. Tariffs may bring greater access to iconic global wines, but distribution, currency movements, and consumer behavior will ultimately determine how the market unfolds. At the same time, wine tourism, domestic brand building, and the gradual expansion of wine culture across India may prove just as important as trade policy. Together, these forces are setting the stage for what could be the most consequential decade yet for Indian wine. Read the full interview on Sommelier India.com

The Enduring Charm of Sherry

Few wines carry as much history as Sherry. Produced around Jerez de la Frontera in southern Spain, the fortified wine has been part of global trade and culture for centuries, traveling on the ships of explorers like Columbus and Magellan and once ranking among the world’s most celebrated wines. Yet despite this extraordinary legacy, Sherry’s fortunes have shifted dramatically over time. From the boom years of the nineteenth century to the overproduction crisis of the 1970s, the region has seen vineyards shrink and consumer interest fade, even as the deep traditions of Jerez continue to endure inside its cathedral-like bodegas.

Today, however, a quiet reinvention is underway. While the historic solera system and classic styles like fino, amontillado, and oloroso remain at the heart of the region, producers are experimenting with new approaches, from still wines made with traditional Sherry grapes to renewed attention on vineyard terroir and forgotten grape varieties. Between centuries-old cellars, innovative winemakers, and a renewed focus on the chalky albariza soils that define the region, Sherry is once again evolving, proving that one of the wine world’s oldest traditions may still have an intriguing future ahead. Read the full story on Sommelier India.