Wine boutiques at Hopcoms soon

If all goes well, Bangaloreans will soon have the option to pick up premium bottles of wine at some of the Horticultural Producers’ Marketing and Processing Society Ltd (Hopcoms).

The Karnataka Wine Board (KWB), in its endeavor to encourage and foster the wine industry, is leaving no stone unturned to open wine boutiques at select Hopcoms outlets.

According to Mahantesh Murgod, managing director of KWB, a survey has been conducted to identify Hopcoms outlets that have the potential to sell wine.

“We have shortlisted Hopcoms outlets at Cox Town, Indiranagar, Electronics City and Whitefield. Our proposal is to sell wine at 15 Hopcoms outlets, but we have received the nod from Hopcoms for five outlets. The fifth one will be shortlisted shortly,” said Murgod.

“However, there will be no provision for loose sales (for consumption at the outlet). The consumers can only buy the wine bottles at the outlet,” said Murgod.To ensure quality and better shelf-life, the KWB would ensure refrigeration facility to stock the wine bottles at the outlets. “Hopcoms have to apply to the excise department for the licence. Our responsibility is to ensure the steady supply of wine,” he said. Confirming the proposal, DL Maheswar, managing director of Hopcoms, said the KWB was yet to submit the list of outlets to sell wine.

“Yes, it is true that the KWB had submitted a proposal to sell wine at Hopcoms outlets, but it has not submitted the list of outlets. Our board will take a final decision after discussing the KWB’s proposal.

Wine workshops
To popularise wine consumption among public, the Karnataka Wine Board (KWB) is all set to conduct weekend classes for the public. Those who want enroll their names can contact the KWB.

“Apart from creating awareness on wine, techniques to test wine and how wine contributes to good health and other such benefits will be explained during the weekend classes,” said Mahantesh Murgod, managing director of KWB.