Speech by Ambassador at Wine Tasting Event

Budapest, 18 March 2026

Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, and dear friends of India and Hungary.

Good evening, or as we say here in our beautiful host country, Jó estét kívánok!

It is a profound pleasure to welcome you to the Embassy of India this evening. Now, I know what some of you might be thinking. When one thinks of India, the mind immediately conjures images of IT professionals, vibrant spices, yoga, and perhaps the perfect cup of Darjeeling tea. Wine might not be the very first thing that springs to mind—especially here in Hungary, a nation endowed with its own magnificent, centuries-old wine heritage, from the volcanic slopes of Somló to the sweet gold of Tokaj.

But this evening, I ask you to prepare your palates for a delightful surprise.

While our modern wine industry may seem young to the European eye, the history of Indian winemaking is actually ancient. The roots of our viticulture stretch back thousands of years to the Indus Valley Civilization. Our ancient texts reference fermented beverages like Soma, and centuries later, the Persian-influenced Mughal courts actively cultivated vineyards. In the 16th century, Portuguese explorers brought European vines to the sun-kissed coasts of Goa. The British started a successful vine cultivation in India- before the great Phylloxera epidemic caused substantial damage to Indian vineyards even as decimated Hungary’s vineyards. However, the true renaissance of Indian wine—the modern pursuit of world-class, premium viticulture—began in the 1980s.

That renaissance was led by visionaries, and tonight, we are incredibly proud to welcome and acknowledge one of the absolute pioneers of this movement: Grover. Founded by the late Mr. Kanwal Grover, who is rightfully celebrated as the father of Indian viticulture, Grover Zampa Vineyards has spent decades perfecting the art of Indian winemaking. By blending Indian terroir with world-class expertise—Grover has put Indian wines on the global map, winning hundreds of international accolades. We are thrilled to have them here in Budapest to share their craft with you.

To truly appreciate this modern renaissance, one only needs to look at the remarkable scale of our growing industry. Today, India cultivates over 10,000 acres of vineyards dedicated exclusively to winemaking, producing upwards of 17 million liters of wine annually. And the world is taking notice. Our wine exports continue to climb, recently surpassing 6 million US dollars in value, as our vintages find appreciative audiences across the globe. Yet, beyond the export revenues and production volumes, what fills us with the most pride is the human impact. The Indian wine industry has become a vital engine of rural empowerment, generating employment for over 45,000 people and providing sustainable livelihoods for thousands of dedicated farming families who tend to our vines with tremendous care.

So what is the unique value of Indian wine? It lies in our remarkable geography. We practice tropical viticulture, but at elevated altitudes. Whether it is the cool, breezy slopes of the Nandi Hills near Bengaluru, or the fertile Nashik Valley, or the fabled slopes of Golconda near Hyderabad, this unique combination of intense, warm Indian sunshine at unique angles, and the cool, elevated nights yields grapes with deep colors, complex aromas, and vibrant, fruit-forward profiles. The true strength of Indian wine is its bold, versatile character. It is crafted not only to stand elegantly on its own or pair beautifully with the complex, spice-rich flavors of Indian cuisine, but it can be a good compliment to the hearty, deeply comforting dishes of Central Europe.

This evening, we are not only celeberating flavor; it is a celebration of growing connections. Commerce and agriculture are the lifeblood of our international engagements. In this context, the landmark India-EU Free Trade Agreement represents a transformative milestone. This historic agreement acts as a major enabler of trade in agro-products. It has been structured thoughtfully with the required safeguards to protect sensitive domestic sectors, while simultaneously opening dynamic new markets. It ensures that the best of European produce will find eager consumers in India, and high-quality Indian agricultural exports—including the magnificent wines you will taste tonight—will increasingly find their rightful place on European tables.

This deepening economic integration perfectly complements the exceptionally warm and friendly relations between India and Hungary. Our cultural and historical ties are profound, built on centuries of mutual respect and shared intellectual curiosity. But our partnership is highly focused on the future.

Our bilateral commercial relations have been soaring, with bilateral trade crossing the 1.3 billion US dollar mark, and the potential for further growth is immense. We are incredibly proud of the history of robust Indian investments in Hungary. Today, Indian enterprises across various sectors—from Apollo Tyres and Samvardhana Motherson to TCS and Sun Pharma—have invested over 3.3 billion US dollars into the Hungarian economy. These investments create thousands of jobs and stand as a concrete testament to our enduring confidence in Hungary’s business environment and talent.

These global investments, and the world-class products we export, are reflections of a new, resurgent India. We are currently witnessing rapid growth and profound transformations taking place in India under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Today, India is the fastest-growing major economy in the world. Through dynamic initiatives like 'Make in India' and a massive push toward digital and physical infrastructure, India is no longer just a market of 1.4 billion people; it is a global hub of innovation, quality manufacturing, and sustainable growth.

The wine in your glass this evening is a product of this modern India—ambitious, rooted in tradition, yet entirely world-class.

Ladies and gentlemen, diplomacy is most often conducted across polished tables with thick dossiers. But I have always believed that the most impactful diplomacy happens over a shared meal and a great glass of wine. It breaks the ice, bridges cultures, and turns strangers into friends.

I invite you to discover the spirit of India in a wine glass. Let us raise a toast: to the wonderful team at Grover for bringing their passion to Budapest, to the beautiful, enduring friendship between India and Hungary, and to a future filled with shared prosperity, good health, and excellent wine.

Egészségére! (Cheers!) Please enjoy the tasting.