best wine brands in india (2026) — honest picks for non-wine-snobs

tldr: sula rasa shiraz (rs 800-1100) is the best indian wine, period. full-bodied, smooth, and punches way above its price. jacob’s creek shiraz (rs 1200-1800) is the safest imported red if you want something reliable without thinking too hard. sula sauvignon blanc (rs 600-800) is the best white for people who are just getting into wine.

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the best wine brands in india have gotten genuinely good. nashik is basically india’s napa valley now, and a rs 1000 sula bottle can compete with imports at twice the price. i’m not a wine person in the traditional sense. i don’t have a wine fridge and i had to google “tannins.” but i’ve had sula multiple times, jacob’s creek a bunch, and enough others to know what’s worth buying. this guide is for regular people who stand in front of the wine section feeling overwhelmed, not for sommeliers. this is part of my broader liquor india coverage. if you prefer spirits, check my whisky or gin guides.

this guide is part of liquor india, where i review every major alcohol brand available in india. no sponsors, no affiliate links.

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best wine brands india: quick comparison

#	brand	type	price (750ml)	grape	best for
1	sula rasa shiraz	red	rs 800-1100	shiraz	best indian red, smooth sipper
2	sula sauvignon blanc	white	rs 600-800	sauvignon blanc	crisp everyday white
3	fratelli sette	red	rs 1000-1500	cab-sangiovese blend	premium indian red
4	grover zampa la reserve	red	rs 900-1300	cab-shiraz blend	karnataka’s best red
5	york arros	red	rs 400-600	tempranillo blend	budget red that doesn’t suck
6	big banyan merlot	red	rs 600-900	merlot	soft, easy-drinking red
7	jacob’s creek shiraz	red	rs 1200-1800	shiraz	reliable imported red
8	jacob’s creek chardonnay	white	rs 1200-1800	chardonnay	safe imported white
9	sula brut	sparkling	rs 500-800	chenin blanc	cheapest good bubbly
10	grover zampa soiree	white	rs 600-900	viognier	aromatic indian white
11	chandon india brut	sparkling	rs 1200-1600	chardonnay-pinot noir	premium sparkling
12	four seasons barrique	red	rs 500-700	cabernet sauvignon	budget aged red

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best indian red wine brands

if you’d told me five years ago that i’d be recommending indian red wines with a straight face, i’d have laughed. but the nashik wine region has matured in a serious way. the climate (hot days, cool nights, well-drained soil) turns out to be excellent for growing shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, and a few italian varietals. most of the wines in this section come from nashik or nearby regions in maharashtra, with one notable exception from karnataka.

the thing about indian reds is they tend to be fruit-forward, meaning they taste more like actual fruit and less like “dry wood and leather” (which is how expensive french wines are sometimes described, and which i find deeply unappealing). for someone who’s not a wine expert, fruit-forward is actually a good thing. it’s more approachable, more drinkable, and you don’t need a sommelier to explain what you’re tasting.

1. sula rasa shiraz — best indian red wine

price: rs 800-1100 (750ml) | type: red | grape: shiraz | rating: 8.5/10

sula rasa shiraz is the best indian wine you can buy at this price point. i’ll say it plainly: if you buy one indian wine this year, make it this one. it’s sula’s premium red label, and it’s noticeably different from their entry-level wines. darker in color, fuller in body, and with a smoothness that feels like it should cost more than it does.

i’ve had the rasa shiraz at a couple of dinners and once bought a bottle for a quiet evening at home. the taste is rich without being heavy. there’s a berry-like sweetness upfront (not sugary sweet, but fruit sweet, the kind of thing wine people probably call “blackberry notes”) that mellows out into something warm and smooth by the time you swallow. no bitterness, no harshness, no “this tastes like cough syrup” moment. it’s genuinely enjoyable to sip on its own, and it holds up well with food. i had it with a paneer tikka spread and it worked surprisingly well.

the rasa shiraz comes from sula’s vineyards in nashik, and it’s aged in oak barrels, which gives it a bit more complexity than their standard shiraz. at rs 800-1100, it’s more expensive than sula’s basic range but still cheaper than most imports. in a blind taste test against a rs 1500 imported shiraz, i genuinely think most casual drinkers wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. this is where indian wine has gotten impressively good.

2. fratelli sette — best premium indian red wine

price: rs 1000-1500 (750ml) | type: red | grape: cabernet sauvignon-sangiovese blend | rating: 8/10

fratelli is a lesser-known winery compared to sula, but wine people in india rate them very highly. they’re an indo-italian collaboration based in the akluj region of maharashtra, and their wines reflect that italian influence. they grow sangiovese (the grape behind chianti) alongside the usual cabernet sauvignon and shiraz. the sette is their flagship blend.

i haven’t personally tried the fratelli sette, so this is research-backed. from what i’ve gathered across reviews and conversations with friends who are into wine, it’s considered one of the best indian reds, maybe the best if you’re willing to spend rs 1200-1500. the blend of cabernet and sangiovese apparently gives it a balance of structure and fruitiness that pure cabs don’t have. it’s dry without being astringent, and it’s complex enough that wine enthusiasts appreciate it while still being accessible to regular people.

what makes fratelli interesting is their approach to winemaking. they brought over italian winemakers (the piero and alessio secci brothers) to set up the operation, and the vineyards are managed with techniques borrowed from tuscany. it’s not just marketing. the wines have won awards at international competitions. at rs 1000-1500, the sette is in the premium range for indian wines, but it’s still half the price of comparable imports.

3. grover zampa la reserve — best karnataka wine brand

price: rs 900-1300 (750ml) | type: red | grape: cabernet sauvignon-shiraz blend | rating: 7.5/10

grover zampa is the other big name in indian wine, and they’re from karnataka, not maharashtra. their vineyards are in nandi hills, about 60 kilometers north of bangalore, at an elevation that gives the grapes a different character from nashik wines. the la reserve is their premium blend, cabernet sauvignon and shiraz aged in french oak.

this is another one i haven’t personally tried but have heard consistently good things about. grover zampa has a reputation for making wines that lean more towards the european style: drier, more structured, less overtly fruity than sula. the la reserve specifically is praised for its depth. people describe it as a wine that improves over 2-3 years in the bottle, which is unusual for indian wines (most are meant to be consumed within a year).

the price of rs 900-1300 puts it in the same bracket as sula rasa, which makes the comparison inevitable. from what i’ve read, sula rasa is more immediately enjoyable (fruit-forward, smooth from the first sip), while grover zampa la reserve rewards patience and pairs better with heavier meals like red meats, rich gravies, that sort of thing. if you like your reds on the drier, more serious side, this is the one. if you want something easy and crowd-pleasing, stick with sula rasa.

4. york arros — cheapest good red wine india

price: rs 400-600 (750ml) | type: red | grape: tempranillo blend | rating: 7/10

york winery is based in nashik and they’ve carved out a niche as the “affordable but not terrible” wine brand. the arros is their entry-level red, and at rs 400-600, it’s one of the cheapest wines in india that you can actually drink without making a face.

i haven’t tried this myself, but the consensus from people i’ve talked to and reviews i’ve read is that york arros is a solid budget red. it uses tempranillo, a spanish grape that’s not common in india, blended with local varieties. the result is a light-to-medium bodied red that’s fruity, slightly spicy, and easy to drink. it’s not going to wow anyone at a dinner party, but for a casual evening at home or a picnic, it’s perfectly adequate.

the big selling point is the price. at rs 400-600, you’re in territory where most wines are genuinely undrinkable. supermarket “wines” that taste like grape juice mixed with rubbing alcohol. york arros is a legitimate wine at a price point where legitimate wines are rare. if you’re new to wine and don’t want to spend rs 1000 to find out whether you even like red wine, start here.

5. big banyan merlot — best beginner-friendly red wine

price: rs 600-900 (750ml) | type: red | grape: merlot | rating: 6.5/10

big banyan is another nashik winery that positions itself as the everyday, approachable wine brand. their merlot is their most popular red, and merlot as a grape is generally considered more beginner-friendly than cabernet sauvignon: softer, less tannic (that dry, puckery feeling you sometimes get with reds), and smoother.

this is research-backed. i haven’t had big banyan. the reviews position it as a decent mid-range option. not as refined as sula rasa or fratelli, but noticeably better than the bottom-shelf stuff. it’s described as a soft, fruity red that goes down easy, no harsh edges, no challenging flavors. the kind of wine you can pour for someone who says “i don’t really like wine” and they might actually finish the glass.

at rs 600-900, it sits right in the middle of the indian wine price spectrum. it’s more than york arros, less than sula rasa, and the quality falls exactly where you’d expect for the price. no surprises, no disappointments. if merlot is your thing (and for beginners, it probably should be), big banyan does a competent job.

6. four seasons barrique — best budget barrel-aged wine

price: rs 500-700 (750ml) | type: red | grape: cabernet sauvignon | rating: 6.5/10

four seasons is a nashik-based winery that most people know for their affordable, everyday wines. the barrique is interesting because it’s barrel-aged (the “barrique” in the name literally means barrel in french), which is unusual at this price point. most indian wines under rs 700 aren’t seeing the inside of an oak barrel.

i haven’t tried four seasons barrique, but the research positions it as a pleasant surprise for the price. the barrel aging gives it a bit more structure and depth than you’d expect from a rs 500-700 wine. there are hints of vanilla and spice from the oak that add complexity beyond what a typical budget wine offers. it’s not going to fool anyone into thinking it’s a rs 2000 bottle, but it punches above its weight.

the downside, from what i’ve read, is that it can be inconsistent across vintages. some years are clearly better than others, which is a common problem with budget indian wines. the winery also doesn’t have the distribution network of sula, so availability can be patchy outside maharashtra and goa. but if you find it, it’s one of the better budget reds in the market, especially if you prefer drier wines over fruity ones.

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best white wine brands india

white wine in india is having a moment. for years, indian wine meant red wine, specifically entry-level reds that people bought because they heard “red wine is healthy.” but whites and roses have become increasingly popular, especially in cities where people are drinking wine at brunches, lunches, and casual evenings rather than just formal dinners.

the good news: indian wineries are actually making excellent whites. the nashik climate, which is warm but not scorching, works well for white grape varieties like sauvignon blanc, chenin blanc, and viognier. and because whites are meant to be drunk young and fresh (unlike reds, which can improve with age), the turnover means you’re usually getting a fairly recent vintage.

7. sula sauvignon blanc — best indian white wine

price: rs 600-800 (750ml) | type: white | grape: sauvignon blanc | rating: 8/10

this is my go-to white wine, and by “go-to,” i mean it’s the one i actually order when i’m at a restaurant that has it. sula sauvignon blanc is crisp, refreshing, and genuinely pleasant to drink, especially chilled on a warm evening, which is most evenings in india.

i’ve had this multiple times, and what i appreciate about it is the simplicity. it tastes like what i imagine wine should taste like when it’s doing its job well. there’s a citrusy freshness (lime, maybe green apple) that hits immediately, followed by a clean finish that doesn’t linger too long. no weird aftertaste, no overpowering flavors, just a clean, enjoyable white wine. i’ve served it to friends who “don’t drink wine” and they finished their glasses without complaint.

at rs 600-800, it’s also really well-priced. this is the wine i’d recommend to anyone who’s new to wine and wants to start with something accessible. whites are generally easier for beginners than reds (less of the dry, tannic, “acquired taste” quality), and sula sauvignon blanc is the most approachable white i’ve had in india. pair it with seafood, salads, or just drink it on its own. it works.

8. grover zampa soiree — most aromatic indian white wine

price: rs 600-900 (750ml) | type: white | grape: viognier | rating: 7.5/10

grover zampa’s soiree is an interesting white because it uses viognier, a grape variety that’s aromatic and floral, which makes it quite different from the more common sauvignon blanc or chardonnay. if sula sauvignon blanc is the crisp, citrusy option, grover zampa soiree is the softer, more fragrant alternative.

this is research-backed. from what i’ve gathered, the soiree has a floral nose (meaning it smells good before you even taste it) with flavors of stone fruit like peach, apricot, that kind of thing. it’s a bit richer and fuller-bodied than sauvignon blanc, which means it pairs better with slightly heavier food. people recommend it with indian food specifically because the slight sweetness and aromatic quality apparently complements spicy dishes better than drier whites.

at rs 600-900, it’s in the same price range as sula sauvignon blanc, and the choice between them really comes down to personal preference. want something crisp and citrusy? go sula. want something richer and more aromatic? go grover zampa soiree. both are excellent indian whites, and the fact that you can get genuinely good white wine in india for under rs 900 is something worth appreciating.

9. sula brut — cheapest sparkling wine india

price: rs 500-800 (750ml) | type: sparkling | grape: chenin blanc | rating: 7.5/10

sula brut is the wine that shows up at every new year’s party in india. it’s sula’s sparkling wine, india’s answer to champagne, though calling it that would make french people very upset (champagne can only come from the champagne region of france; everything else is just “sparkling wine”). it’s made from chenin blanc grapes using the charmat method, which is the same technique used for prosecco.

i’ve had sula brut at new year’s and at a couple of celebrations. it’s fun. the bubbles are lively, there’s a pleasant sweetness that’s not cloying, and it feels festive without the rs 3000+ price tag of an actual prosecco or champagne. it’s not going to fool anyone who’s had real champagne, but for celebrating in india, it does the job admirably.

the price is the real winner here. at rs 500-800, it’s the cheapest way to get sparkling wine that tastes like actual sparkling wine and not fizzy grape juice. and unlike some cheap sparklings that go flat within 20 minutes of opening, sula brut holds its fizz reasonably well through an evening. keep it chilled, pour it in flutes if you have them, and it elevates any gathering without being pretentious about it. if you want something bubbly but cheaper, beer is the obvious alternative for casual evenings.

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best imported wine brands india

let me be real about imported wine in india: the taxation makes it expensive. a bottle that costs $8-10 in australia or europe lands in india at rs 1500-2000+ after import duties, and the selection at most liquor shops is limited to a handful of brands. you’re not getting the variety or value that wine drinkers in western countries take for granted.

that said, there are a few imports that have become widely available and reasonably affordable in india. jacob’s creek from australia is probably the most common, and chandon india (which is technically a domestic operation by the french champagne house moet) bridges the gap between import and indian.

10. jacob’s creek shiraz — best imported red wine india

price: rs 1200-1800 (750ml) | type: red | grape: shiraz | rating: 7.5/10

jacob’s creek is the brand that made me realize imported wine doesn’t have to be scary or confusing. it’s australian, it’s widely available in india, and it’s consistent. the shiraz is their flagship red, and it’s probably the most common imported wine you’ll see at restaurants and liquor shops across the country.

i’ve had jacob’s creek shiraz multiple times. it’s a solid, reliable red. nothing groundbreaking, but nothing disappointing either. the flavor profile is what you’d expect from australian shiraz: bold, slightly peppery, with dark fruit flavors (plum, blackberry). it’s a bit more polished than sula rasa (the tannins are smoother, the finish is longer) but whether that justifies the higher price depends on your budget.

here’s the honest truth: at rs 1200-1800, jacob’s creek shiraz is competing directly with sula rasa shiraz at rs 800-1100. and the quality gap is not proportional to the price gap. sula rasa gives you 85% of the experience at 60% of the price. jacob’s creek is better, but not rs 500-700 better. i’d buy it for a dinner party where i want to impress, but for regular drinking, sula rasa is the smarter buy. at rs 1200-1800, jacob’s creek competes with premium whisky and craft gin for your money.

11. jacob’s creek chardonnay — best imported white wine india

price: rs 1200-1800 (750ml) | type: white | grape: chardonnay | rating: 7/10

jacob’s creek chardonnay is the white wine equivalent of their shiraz: safe, reliable, and available everywhere. chardonnay as a grape is interesting because it can be made in very different styles: oaked (buttery, rich, almost creamy) or unoaked (crisp, fruity, more like sauvignon blanc). jacob’s creek tends toward the oaked style, which gives it more body and richness than typical indian whites.

i’ve had this at a couple of restaurants. it’s pleasant. there’s a richness to it that you don’t get with sula sauvignon blanc. a slight buttery quality, some vanilla from the oak aging, and a rounder mouthfeel. it’s the kind of white wine that works well with richer foods like cream-based pastas, chicken in heavy sauces, or even paneer dishes.

the question, again, is value. at rs 1200-1800, it’s double the price of sula sauvignon blanc. and while it is a different style of white (richer vs. crisper), i’m not sure most casual wine drinkers would prefer it over sula’s offering. if you specifically like oaked chardonnay, jacob’s creek is a safe choice. if you just want “a good white wine,” save the money and buy sula. the extra spend buys you complexity, not necessarily enjoyment.

12. chandon india brut — best premium sparkling wine india

price: rs 1200-1600 (750ml) | type: sparkling | grape: chardonnay-pinot noir blend | rating: 8/10

chandon india is a fascinating product. it’s made by moet hennessy (the people behind dom perignon and moet & chandon) but the grapes are grown and the wine is made entirely in india, in nashik specifically. so it’s technically an indian wine backed by french expertise. the result is a sparkling wine that’s noticeably more refined than sula brut, but at a price that’s still accessible.

i haven’t personally tried chandon india, but it has an excellent reputation. wine reviewers consistently rate it as the best sparkling wine available in india. the bubbles are finer and more persistent than sula brut, the flavor is more nuanced (less sweet, more yeasty and complex), and the overall quality is closer to actual champagne than anything else produced domestically. multiple friends who’ve tried it have described it as “the real deal.”

at rs 1200-1600, it’s 2-3x the price of sula brut, so this is clearly a special occasion purchase. but compared to actual imported champagne (rs 4000-5000+) or even imported prosecco (rs 2000-3000), chandon india is exceptional value. for a new year’s celebration, anniversary dinner, or any occasion where you want sparkling wine that genuinely impresses, this is the one. sula brut is for casual fun; chandon india is for when you want to feel fancy without going bankrupt.

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verdict: best wine brands india to buy

india’s wine scene has matured more than most people realize. five years ago, the only answer to “what wine should i buy in india?” was “sula, i guess.” today, you have legitimate options across price points, styles, and regions.

if you’re new to wine: start with whites. sula sauvignon blanc is the easiest entry point. it’s light, it’s fresh, it won’t overwhelm you. once you’re comfortable with that, try a lighter red like big banyan merlot or york arros before moving to fuller reds like sula rasa.

if you want the best indian red: sula rasa shiraz. no contest. at rs 800-1100, it’s the best value in indian wine. fratelli sette is arguably more refined, but the rasa hits the sweet spot of quality, availability, and price that nothing else matches.

if you want an import: jacob’s creek shiraz is the safest choice. it’s reliable, it’s available everywhere, and you know exactly what you’re getting. just know that you’re paying a premium for the imported label, and sula rasa isn’t far behind in quality.

if you’re celebrating: chandon india brut if you can afford rs 1200-1600, sula brut if you want something cheaper that’s still genuinely fun.

if you’re on a tight budget: york arros (red) or sula brut (sparkling) are the cheapest wines in india that are actually enjoyable. anything below rs 400 is a gamble i wouldn’t take. at that price, you’re honestly better off with something like old monk from my best rum brands in india guide. it’s more reliable than bottom-shelf wine.

the indian wine industry is centered in nashik for a reason. the climate is right, the soil is right, and decades of investment have created wineries that know what they’re doing. sula alone has turned wine from a niche, “urban elite” drink into something you can buy at a regular liquor shop in most indian cities. that democratization of wine is, to me, the most impressive thing about the indian wine industry.

one last thing: wine is supposed to be enjoyed, not analyzed. if you like a wine, it’s a good wine. don’t let anyone tell you that your palate is wrong because you prefer a rs 600 sula over a rs 3000 import. drink what you enjoy, at whatever price point works for you. the best wine is the one you actually like drinking. for a complete picture of what to drink in india at every budget, explore my liquor india hub.

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best wine brands india: frequently asked questions

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drink responsibly. must be of legal drinking age in your state.