The booming Indian wine industry is facing a crisis with two deadly viruses affecting farms across Maharashtra, which accounts for 94 per cent of country’s wine production. While the viruses, blamed on imported plants, were first detected in 2002, fresh cases have been reported this year.

The viruses, detected as leafroll and rugose wood complex, have infected varieties like Chardonnay, Ugni Blanc, Pinot Noir and Vermentino as also Merlot, Zinfandel and Roussance imported from France and Italy.

With the Pune-based National Research Centre for Grapes (NRC) confirming the presence of the disease, the state government has decided to stop import of plant material and sought expert opinion. It is also holding a meeting on Monday to address the concerns of the wine variety grape farmers. Horticulture Minister Vinay Kore said the government had taken serious note of the “imported” viral disease.

However, Chateau Indage, a major player in the domestic wine industry, chose to downplay the incidence of the infection. “There is no spread of virus by the imported plants. Virus could spread from the indigenous rootstock and buds. There is no point in blaming the imported material,” said S G Chougale, Chairman of Chateau Indage.

The NRC, which recommended that import of plant material be stopped as of now, says that of 27 samples collected from across the state, four plants were detected to be having the virus, mainly leafroll.

The NRC, which conducted tests in 2002 and again in September 2007, has recommended that all imported varieties should carry certificates from recognised authorities from the exporting countries and imported plants be again tested and grown in protected conditions at least for two years.

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