New Delhi, Apr 17 (PTI) India's domestic wine industry expanded nearly 300 per cent in the last decade to an estimated 13.5 million litres annually, according to a report by the US Department of Agriculture.
According to the report, India has an estimated 60 functional wineries, with 30 more companies having registered to become wine producers in 2010 in contrast to only six wineries in 2000.
It said the growth of domestic wines has been helped by a tariff protection from imported competition in the form of high customs duties and excise rates.
"With the aid of high import and excise tariff, India has developed a small wine industry over the past decade as production has expanded nearly 300 per cent since 2003 to an estimated 13.5 million litres," the report said.
Although the volumes of imported wines have grown gradually over the decade 0.