Even two years after Bangalore Blue grapes getting the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, the problems being faced by growers of this variety have remained the same. Depleting groundwater level in Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Chickballapur and Kolar districts, where this variety is cultivated, shortage of labour and non-remunerative prices are major sources of worry for them.
Growers of Bangalore Blue now want grape spirit distilleries to be set up on the lines of neighbouring Maharashtra, said Bakappa Kote, chairperson, Karnataka Wine Board.
The Maharashtra government has given additional licence to wineries to utilise excess wine and crush grapes for production of grape spirit. As there is abundant stock of wine in the wineries of Karnataka, further crushing of grapes is difficult because of lack of storage facility, unless production of grape spirit is allowed, said Mr. Kote.
While licensed distilleries are being permitted to produce pure grape spirit in Karnataka, wineries are not being allowed to do this. “Following the Maharashtra model and giving additional licence to 17 wineries is the only solution to the problems being faced by the growers of Bangalore Blue variety,” he said.
Bangalore Blue variety growers discussed their problems with representatives of wineries at a meeting organised by Karnataka Wine Board in association with the Department of Horticulture here on Wednesday.
