ProWine Mumbai successfully concluded its third edition in November 2023 with appreciation from the wine and spirits trading community in India. Over two days, the well-laid-out exhibition buzzed with tastings and conversations as the industry caught up with each other and facilitated business meetings.
Organised at the Jio World Convention Centre, it is a part of the globally iconic ProWein World and was jointly organised by Messe Düsseldorf India and All Things Nice.
The dignitaries included ministers, mayors, consul generals and trade investment commissioners from Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mauritius, Mexico, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Peru, Portugal, South Africa, Turkey and the United States.
Trade visitors from relevant sectors – ranging from large hoteliers, prominent restaurateurs and bar owners, importers, distributors, retailers, sommeliers, chefs, food & beverage teams and consumers – were seen networking on the floor.
ProWine Mumbai 2023 featured 164 companies showcasing over 1,000 brands from 21 countries and more than 5,000 attendees from 24 countries. The range of exhibitors reflected India’s strong appeal to the global wines and spirits industry, including its key role as a gateway to do business in the region.
Participating countries included Argentina, Australia, Austria, Chile, Colombia, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Northern Ireland, Peru, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, Spain and the United States.
In the spirits section, visitors were able to taste and meet producers of gin, vodka, single malts, rum, tequila and mezcal.
Mr Thomas Schlitt, Managing Director of Messe Düsseldorf India, stated: “ProWine Mumbai has created a comprehensive platform for the alcobev industry in just 3 years of its launch. The 2023 edition brought in more international flavour as well as diversity from Indian wine and spirits industry.”
The master classes that took place over the two days of ProWine Mumbai (alongside the exhibition) were well executed through interesting tasting sessions and discussions led by industry experts. The sessions were well attended by visitors with a keen interest to learn in-depth about wines and spirits.
The highlight for visitors seemed to be The ProWine Spirits Challenge, a blind-tasting and detailed scoring of spirits ranging from whiskey, vodka, rum, gin, Tequila and liqueur.
Medal winners
The winners of the ProWine Spirits Challenge were Smoke Lab Aniseed (Gold) and Smoke Lab Classic & Smoke Lab Saffron (Silver) in vodka; The Glenwalk Blended Scotch Whisky & Mcconells Irish Whiskey (Gold) and Hinch Irish Whiskey (Silver); Barrister Blue, Barrister Mumbai, Hapusa Himalayan Dry (Gold) and Hayman’s London Dry, Oregin, Greater Than London Dry, Sector London Dry & Baagh (Silver) in gins.
The Gold in the rum category went to Short Story White, Daku Silver & Sitara Spiced; the Silver went to Flor De Canas 4-yo White, Daku Gold & Rhea Dark. The Silver medals in Tequila were bagged by 1800 Silver & Codigo 1530 Blanco. The Gold in liqueur went to Tequila Rose.
The ProWine Bartenders’ Competition presented an exceptional platform for talented bartenders in the country to showcase their skills. The winning bartender, Priyanka Mondal (ZLB23, The Leela Palace Bengaluru), received the prestigious title ‘ProWine Bartender of the Year’, an all-expense-paid guest shift at the historic ‘The Bar - The House on Sathorn’, Bangkok (Thailand) and a cash prize.
Visitors witnessed a vibrant and insightful panel discussion on ‘The future of international craft spirits in India and taking Indian craft spirits globally’. The panellists included Keshav Prakash (The Vault), Angad Gandhi (Glenfiddich), Shatbhi Basu (bar consultant), Pritish Matai (Aspri Spirits), Rakshay Dhariwal (Maya Pistola), Bharat Bhagnani (Living Root Distilling Co), Malay Rout (Wine & Spirits Club of India), Michael Hussey (Bord Bia) and Rahul Mehra (Third Eye Distillery).
The fourth edition of ProWine Mumbai will take place on 8th and 9th November 2024 at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai.
