A sense of deja vu prevails despite the fact that there are steep duties to pay, which include a 100-per cent basic customs duty, a 150-per cent countervailing duty, a 4-per cent special additional duty and special fees levied by individual states.

In the case of Maharashtra, special fees amounts to Rs 100 per bottle. Because of high duties, a bottle of wine, which on an average costs $1, ends up costing five-to-six times higher by the time it reaches the Indian market.

One of the big names eyeing the Indian market is Compagnie Francaise des Grands Vins, a leader in French sparkling wines with exports of 70 million bottles and a turnover of $70 million a year. Another major who intent to set up base in India is the Charlton & Tribuchet Group, with known products like Domaine Jean Charton, Bourgogne Blanc et Rouge, Rully Blanc and Chassagne.

Others are Francois Martenot, Antoine Moueix & Lebegue, CFGV, Hebrard, Cellier de Lenclave Des Papes, Marne Et Champagne Diffusion, Direct Domaines Distribution, Barton Et Guestier and Guy Sorne Export Producta.

A majority of wine manufacturers say though duties are high, they would come down eventually. Three cheers for that.