Italian Wine Exports to India Surge 14% as Market Set to Top $520 Million by 2028

Italian wine exports are gaining momentum in India, a country where wine consumption remains low but shows significant potential for growth. According to 2023 data from the Uiv-Vinitaly Wine Observatory, the Indian wine import market is valued at just $30.5 million. This figure is still marginal compared to the global wine trade, but the market has matured in recent years, with an annual growth rate of 12% in value, excluding the period affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

India, now the world’s most populous country, has not yet developed a strong wine culture. However, forecasts from the International Wine and Spirit Research (IWSR) group are optimistic. The current total value of wine consumption in India stands at just over $415 million, but it is expected to surpass $520 million by 2028. This would represent a compound annual growth rate of 3% in value since 2019.

Italy is currently the fourth-largest supplier of wine to India, following Australia, France, and Singapore. Italian wine exports to India are growing at a rate of 14%, which is above the market average and among the highest growth rates for leading exporters. This emerging market has attracted increasing attention from Italian producers and trade organizations.

This week, 30 Italian wine companies have traveled to India for the “Vinitaly India Roadshow,” an event organized by Veronafiere in collaboration with the Italian Trade Agency (ITA). The roadshow runs from January 15 to January 18 and aims to promote Italian wines and develop business opportunities in India. The delegation includes eight companies represented by ITA, nine wineries from the Valpolicella Wine Consortium, and thirteen other companies participating directly.

The event will bring together more than 200 importers, distributors, hospitality professionals, and wine enthusiasts. Organizers also hope to attract Indian buyers and operators to Vinitaly 2026, scheduled for April 12-15 in Verona.

Adolfo Rebughini, General Manager of Veronafiere, said that India is now a focus for European partners ahead of a much-anticipated free trade agreement set to be discussed at the EU-India Summit on January 27. He emphasized that initiatives like this roadshow are essential for building strong relationships and positioning Italian wine in a structured way within a young market. Rebughini also highlighted efforts to develop a culture of Italian wine through education and long-term initiatives, including promoting wine tourism as a way to connect regions, businesses, and new international audiences.

The roadshow opens in New Delhi on January 15 with visits to local wine shops. On January 16 at the Taj Palace hotel, business meetings and tastings will take place for buyers and wine lovers. Masterclasses will be led by Sonal C Holland, India’s first and only Master of Wine. Her sessions will cover Italian wine production—from Prosecco to native grape varieties—and explore key aspects of terroir expression as well as major red wine regions and their stylistic evolution.

A gala dinner will be held at the Italian Embassy in New Delhi with Ambassador Antonio Bartoli attending. The program continues on January 18 in Goa with a walk-around tasting at the Taj Cidade de Goa hotel, where both masterclasses will be repeated.

The push into India comes as Italian producers look for new markets beyond traditional destinations in Europe and North America. With rising incomes and changing consumer preferences among India’s urban middle class, industry experts see opportunities for growth despite challenges such as high import duties and limited distribution networks. The current efforts reflect a broader strategy to establish Italian wines as a premium choice among Indian consumers while fostering long-term cultural ties through education and tourism initiatives.