​Beverage News from India & the World

India witnessed a historic milestone as the Sommeliers Association of India (SAI) successfully hosted the grand finale of the inaugural edition of the 2025 SAI Best Sommelier of India competition at the iconic The LaLiT, Mumbai. A Triumph of Talent: Jai Singh Emerged Victorious with a Prestigious Jury Panel of Global Wine Icons. This landmark event, the first of its kind in the country, marked a significant step forward in India's growing recognition on the global wine map.
 
Amrita Singh, Co-Founder and President of the Sommeliers Association of India shared her excitement, "The successful execution of this inaugural event marks a defining moment for the Indian sommelier community. All participants should be proud of their outstanding performances, and we are excited to see how they will continue to contribute to the growth of India’s hospitality culture. We are truly honoured to have had global wine celebrities such as Saiko Tamura-Soga, ASI Vice-President for Asia & Pacific and Nina Basset FIH, Co-Founding Trustee, Gérard Basset Foundation as part of the judging panel, their expertise ensured the competition was both fair and rigorous in line with the International standards. Our deepest gratitude to our Hospitality Partner, The LaLiT, Mumbai and all other partners and sponsors who made this benchmark event possible.”
 
The competition serving as the national qualifier for top international platforms, drew talented sommeliers from across India and Indian Sommeliers working in Dubai, Maldives, Singapore, Italy, New Zealand and International cruise ships eager to showcase their skills. After intense quarter-finals and semi-finals, the grand finale saw Jai Singh crowned as the “2025 SAI Best Sommelier of India”, with Pankaj Singh and Amber Deshmukh securing second and third places. The top three winners will now embark on an exciting journey—attending the prestigious ASI Education Boot Camp in Singapore this July. Jai Singh will further make history by representing India for the first time ever at the 2025 ASI Contest Best Sommelier of Asia & Pacific in Malaysia and the 2026 ASI Contest Best Sommelier of the World in Portugal.
 
Mattia Antonio Cianca, Co-Founder and Vice-President of the Sommeliers Association of India said, “This marks a great beginning for Indian sommellerie, showcasing immense potential and promising talent. The level of skill and passion displayed during the competition, gives us confidence that Indian sommeliers are ready to shine on the world stage.”

Saiko Tamura-Soga, ASI Vice President for Asia & Pacific said, “The inaugural of Best Sommelier of India competition, organized by SAI to uphold world-class standards, has concluded with resounding success. I am deeply impressed by the exceptional talent, dedication, and humility demonstrated by the Indian sommeliers who participated. It is clear that they are on the cusp of achieving outstanding success on the international stage, particularly in competitions organized by the International Sommelier Association (ASI). Although SAI is a young association, having been a member of ASI for less than a year, the sense of unity and dynamic energy it has fostered is a testament to the tireless commitment and visionary leadership of Amrita Singh. I am confident that, under her guidance, SAI and its sommeliers will continue to thrive, furthering the development and recognition of the sommelier profession in India and making a lasting impact on the global sommelier community.”
 (Excerpt from a release)

n the 12 months ended December 2024, Australian wine exports increased by 34 per cent in value to $2.55 billion and by 7 per cent in volume to 649 million litres, according to Wine Australia’s Export Report released today.
The increase in value was a result of high levels of shipments to mainland China between April and December 2024, after tariffs on Australian bottled wine were removed at the end of March 2024. In those nine months, 83 million litres of wine, worth $902 million, have been exported to mainland China. The average value of exports to mainland China for the 12 months ended December 2024 was $10.79 per litre, contributing to a 24 per cent increase in the average value of total packaged exports to $9.35 per litre – a record value.  
Peter Bailey, Manager, Market Insights, Wine Australia said, “while there has been month-to-month volatility in the value of shipments to mainland China in the period since tariffs were removed, the performance is nonetheless very positive. However, Chinese wine consumption is much lower than it was before the import tariffs were imposed, so it will take more time before it becomes clear what the ‘new normal’ level of exports to mainland China will be, after this initial re-stocking period."

Outside of the unique circumstances relating to exports to mainland China, global alcohol consumption is facing numerous headwinds, and this is impacting the results to other markets. In many established wine markets consumption is declining due to health and wellness concerns and the rising cost of living. This has contributed to a global oversupply of wine and increased competition in already strained supply chains.  Australian wine exports to the rest of the world declined by 13 per cent in value to $1.64 billion and 7 per cent in volume to 565 million litres during the 12 months to December 2024.
The decline in value was largely driven by Hong Kong, after a large increase in shipments to this destination at the end of 2023 likely driven by some Australian exporters anticipating the removal of import tariffs in mainland China in early 2024. A decline in unpackaged wine exports to the United States after a period of heightened exports further contributed to the volume decline.
Exports to North America declined by 5 per cent to $482 million, driven by the United States, with growth in exports to Canada offsetting some of the decline. There were mixed results by destination in Europe. The value of shipments to the region declined by 4 per cent to $521 million, with exports to the United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands declining. Meanwhile, exports to Sweden, Belgium, Finland, Ireland, and Poland increased in value.  
Outside of mainland China, most other Asian destinations declined in exports during the 12 months to December 2024, although the long-term growth rate in value for the region (excluding mainland China) was still positive at 4 per cent per year in the last 5 years.
The top five destinations by value were:

• Mainland China (up $898 million to $907 million)
• UK (down $9 million to $352 million)
• US (down $38 million to $325 million)
• Hong Kong (down $125 million to $171 million), and
• Canada (up $13 million to $156 million).

The top five destinations by volume were:

• UK (down 8 million litres to 212 million litres)
• US (down 28 million litres to 106 million litres)
• Mainland China (up 83 million litres to 84 million litres)
• Canada (down 7 million litres to 66 million litres), and
• New Zealand (down 2 million litres to 27 million litres).

The increase in exports to mainland China has also impacted on red wine’s share of exports as 93 per cent of exports to China are red in colour. In the 12 months ended December 2024 the volume share of red and rosé wine increased from 54 per cent to 60 per cent. Meanwhile, white wine lost share – moving from 46 to 40 per cent of volume as Australia’s top white wine destinations declined in exports. Consequently, the top three varieties in red wines – Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot – all increased in volume shipped, while the top three varieties in white wines – Chardonnay, Pinot Gris/Grigio, and Sauvignon Blanc – all declined.
(Excerpt from a release)