INTRODUCTION

Starting in June 2006, the UB Group made headlines by being the first Indian company to acquire a premium French winery, Bouvet-Ladubay, and enter the wine business. With a rich heritage of more than a century and a half and unmatchable expertise in making sparkling wine using methode traditionelle, Bouvet-Ladubay has set standards that have won it more than three hundred awards in the last three decades alone; with 93 of them being Gold Medals. The company currently has a capacity of 8 million bottles per annum, with further scope for expansion when required. After setting celebrations alight across the world in over 38 countries these fine sparkling wines are now in India becoming both the reason and the means for an unprecedented celebration. Complemented by some of the finest still wines, Bouvet-Ladubays wine repertoire offers Indian wine lovers an exquisite range to choose from, to suit every occasion. USLs Wine Business in India operates through two companies United Vintners Limited and Four Seasons Wines Limited. Today, under the guidance of Mr. Abhay Kewadkar, Business Head and Chief Winemaker, the Group plans to take the Indian wine industry to new heights. UVL (United Vintners Limited) imports wines from all over the world to offer a portfolio of wines of different origin, varietals, styles and price points. This is to ensure a wide choice for the consumer and to initiate interest and awareness in the existing consumer base. The current portfolio comprises a selection of some exquisite New World and Old World wines from New Zealand, Australia, Portugal, South Africa and France. Four Seasons Wines Limited produces wines from grapes grown around Sahyadri valley in Maharashtra, India and at its state-of-the-art Four Seasons winery near Baramati, around 65 kms from Pune. It aims to drive interest in wines and wine consumption by offering good quality wines at reasonable price points with packaging options as well as education and engagement. Four Seasons Wines basically markets wines under the two brand names ZINZI and FOUR SEASONS. ZINZI is an easy drinking wine that is targeted at the youth. With an unconventional and vibrant packaging, Zinzi Red and White wines are already available nationally. Along with giving young wines a whole new image, Zinzi is all set to change the way wine drinking is perceived by novice wine drinkers. FOUR SEASONS, the flagship brand of the company, captures the colors and moods of the four seasons, with three reds (Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Merlot); three whites (Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc and Viognier); and, a Ros (Blush). and, a Ros (Blush). The Barrique Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon and Barrique Reserve Shiraz are the premium offerings of the Four Seasons portfolio. These wines have been aged in imported French oak barrels for 9 months before being bottled.

Four Seasons represents the best expression of Indian wines an impression confirmed by wine writers and experts of repute from around the world, like Steven Spurrier, Bruno Li Paumard and Jacques Puisais The Four Seasons wines also reflect the sophisticated personality and contemporary lifestyle of todays Indian consumer who is exposed to wine drinking, has travelled abroad and is keen on experimenting. With its fine selection of wines that are complex but extremely enjoyable, Four Seasons communicates the enjoyable complexities of wine drinking and encourages customers to get involved with a bottle of Four Seasons wines.

Four Seasons Wines Limited is in the process of planting 300 acres of its own vineyards around the winery. For its annual production requirement, the company has already entered into longterm contractual agreement with local farmers for 500 acres and will enter into contractual agreements for a further 2000 acres of vineyards. Besides the company will also share its technical expertise with the local farmers of Baramati and help in their viticulture. This project will act as a catalyst in the socio-economic development of the local community by generating approximately 2000 direct and indirect job opportunities to the people of Baramati. Simultaneously it will also promote wine tourism at its winery and vineyards.

How is Wine Made

The production of wine is completely dependent on two factors: 1. 2. Growing of the grapes or Viticulture Turning these grapes into wine or Vinification

Grape growing and wine making may be two very different disciples, but the making of truly great wine demands excellence in both areas; the vineyard and the winery.

Vitieulture
The grape vine is the source of all wine. Reaching the highest level of quality in wine is only possible by starting with the highest quality fruit. The grape vine prefers the temperate climate in which it evolved, with warm, dry summers and mild winters. Winters of sustained cold kill grape vines. High humidity promotes vine disease. Tropical temperatures disrupt the normal vine cycle of winter dormancy. Grape vines are fairly adaptable plants, growing in a wide variety of soil types, from light sand to packed clay, and flourishing around the globe in the temperate bands between 20 and 50 Latitude, north or south of the Equator. They are successfully grown in Europe, the Balkans, Asia, Mediterranean and South Africa, South Australia and New Zealand, most of North and South America.

PRODUCTION OF WINE/VINIFICATION
The production process of wine has remained the same throughout the ages, but new sophisticated machinery and technology have helped streamline and increase the output of wine.

The Grapes
The character of a wine its aroma, taste and structure is shaped by the grapes from which it is made.

Harvesting
Harvest is the picking of the grapes and in many ways the first step in wine production. Grapes are either harvested mechanically or by hand.

Destemming
Destemming is the process of separating stems from the grapes.

Crushing and Primary Fermentation

(Yeast converts the sugar to ethanol). Crushing is the process of removing the grapes from the rachis and breaking the skins of the grapes.

Seondary Fermentation
Remaining sugars are converted to alcohol and the wine becomes clear. The secondary fermentation usually takes place in either large stainless steel vessels with a volume of several cubic meters of wine, or oak barrels.

Racking
Fermentation usually ends when the yeast has consumed all the sugar. The yeast then gradually dies and forms sediment on the bottom of the vessel. This sediment is known as lees. The new wine is drawn from the lees into a clean vessel. This process is known as racking. Racking will take place at regular intervals until the wine is clear of sediments

Fining
Sometimes before a racking, the wine is fined to ensure it is free of any haze-forming substances which might cause problems after bottling. Substances such as bentonite, gelatine or white of egg are mixed with the wine and slowly settle through it. They attract these substances and take them to the bottom of the vat where they are removed

Cold Stabilization
Cold stabilization is the process of chilling wine prior to bottling in order to hasten the crystallization and precipitation of potassium bitartrate (cream of tartar) and thereby prevent wine diamonds from forming in the bottle.

Filtering
The key role of filtration in wine-making is to provide stabilization and prevents the formation of hazes and deposits after packaging.

Ageing(Barrels/Tanks)
Wine is kept to age in oak barrels or stainless steel tanks. Old wines from 5 to 7 years. New wines from 2 to 3 years.

Blending and Bottling

Different batches of wine can be mixed before bottling in order to achieve the desired taste. The wine bottles are traditionally sealed with a cork, although alternative wine closures such as synthetic corks and screw caps are also used.

OBERVATIONS
ASSOCIATES WINE PVT. LTD. is a set up in a Baramati which is run by an individual.

In this small industry, various wines are manufactured & are supplied to the customers in the fixed quantity standards. The raw material i.e. the grapes are got from the industries own farms. There are limited number of workers, who do certain activities like packaging, labeling & movement of boxes internally. There is certain area for expansion for the company, Cleanliness & safety measures are some of the lacking areas in this firm.

CONCLUSION
ASSOCIATES WINE PVT. LTD. is a very small set up in the outskirts of Baramati, which is run by one person. Here a limited range of wines are offered which are manufactured solely by this firm. There is limited number of labours, where maximum work is done manually. This creates employment opportunities as well as better supervision & efficiency for the unit. In course of time, the company can turn its threats into strength & opportunities & grow & expand.