11 districts to get wine boutiques

The Karnataka Wine Board will set up wine boutiques in 11 districts across the State, including two in the City.

A high-tech and air conditioned walk-in-facility is what the Board proposes to set up to better the sales and increase revenue generation. The State government which has been keen on promoting wine has taken several measures for the same in the past and has now come up with a new proposal to make it more congenial for wine lovers.

Addressing a press meet in the City on Monday, Dr B Krishna, Managing Director, Karnataka Wine Board said it is important to store wine at the right temperature and handle it well, failing which the quality will come down. “In these boutiques, wine will be stored at an adequate temperature and also kept in air conditioned spaces. This will help maintain the quality,” he said.

There are several such boutiques that are run by private players and this is the government’s first attempt in this regard. “There are many people who do not consume hard liquor and choose only wine. Keeping in mind such people and also women, these boutiques will be set up ensuring that a conducive atmosphere is created. These stores will not just have scientific storage and display of wines but will also educate customers about the consumption of wine and its benefits,” Krishna added.

Besides this, the Board will also conduct wine festivals in Mysuru, Hubballi-Dharwad, Belagavi, Bidar and Davanagere with special focus on North Karnataka regions where grapes are cultivated in large areas.

Entry tax

The Board has also proposed to the government to levy entry tax on wine grapes that are imported from neighbouring states. This, in an attempt to help farmers here, said Dr Krishna.

“Wineries in the State buy a good quantity of grapes from farmers in Maharashtra and other neighbouring places. To help provide a better market to the produce grown by our own farmers, we have requested the government to levy an entry tax of Rs 20 per kilo of grapes that are purchased from other states,” he said.