Bengaluru's Hidden Gem: The Story of India's First Native Wine

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As Christians around the world prepare to celebrate Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, a little-known chapter in India's wine history is worth commemorating. The tradition of wine in India dates back to the Persian traders who introduced grape-based beverages over 4,000 years ago. However, it was the arrival of the Portuguese in the 15th century that officially brought yeast-leavened bread and wine to the subcontinent. Despite a promising start, wine faced numerous setbacks in India, including Islamic prohibitions during the Mughal period, governmental and social disapproval of alcohol, and the devastating phylloxera louse that decimated the grape crop in the early 20th century. One native grape variety that managed to thrive in the Nandi Valley was the Bangalore Blue, which has been a staple in Bengaluru's culinary scene for over 150 years. This sweet-sour grape was the key to Kanwal Kishore Grover's vision of producing a world-class wine in India. A Lahore-born businessman, Grover founded the Hindustan Export & Import Corporation in 1945 and spent years developing a sophisticated palate for fine wines. With the help of George Vesselle, a renowned winemaker, Grover identified the Nandi Valley as the perfect location to grow wine grape varietals. After years of research and experimentation, Grover Vineyards (now Grover Zampa) was born in 1992, marking the beginning of India's wine revolution. Today, Grover Zampa remains one of the country's top winemakers, responsible for turning Karnataka into India's second-largest wine-producing state. As you sit down to enjoy your Christmas lunch this year, take a moment to appreciate the rich history and dedication that has gone into creating Bengaluru's finest wines. Cheers to Kanwal Grover and the pioneering spirit that has put India on the global wine map!