Stuttgart, the state capital of Baden-W?rttemberg, has now opened up as a new wine tourism destination for Indians. Famous for its automobile industry like Porsche and Mercedes, this destination also has numerous vineyards. Along with famous wineries, Stuttgart also has wine museums, wine institutes which not only provides knowledge, but also organises wine tasting.
Speaking exclusively to Financial Express Online, Hans-J?rg Hadbawnik, regional director for India and Russia, Stuttgart Marketing and State Tourist Board said, ?Stuttgart is a very popular destination among Indian tourists. In 2013 we have seen a 6.5 per cent increase in Indian tourist inflow. On an average, the overnight stay by an Indian is 6.5 days and they spend ? 175 per day. There are many family wineries in Baden-W?rttemberg where tourists can learn how to smell, taste and also learn styles of drinking these wines. Indians have also developed a taste for good wine and we have some unique wines which are only available in our region.?
Hector D’Souza, director – India, Southwest German Tourist Board said, ?Last year we introduced South West Germany as a winter destination wherein we promoted Blackforest as a film tourism destination. This year we have a new product for Indians which is ‘Wine tourism’. With a lot of unique wineries in and around Baden-W?rttemberg, wine tourism would be widely appreciated by Indian tourists.?
Stuttgart has a large number of family wineries which still produce wine by traditional methods. These wineries grow many different varietals of grapes which are bound to this region such as Blaufr?nkisch, Trollinger, Schwarzriesing and the famous Riesling. Every year, Indian tourists visit these family wineries to learn about the local blends.
Andreas Unser, winemaker, Weingut Unser said, ?We own a family vineyard where grapes are hand-plucked; the fermentation and distillation processess are still carried out in a traditional manner. We produce a variety of grapes right from Riesling, which is well known globally to Trollinger which is famous locally. Many tourists visit our wineries throughout the year. Indians also visit in large numbers and learn about the process and taste our unique wines.?
On January 10- 11, 2014, the LAPP Group along with Indo-German Chamber of Commerce had organised the 10th ‘Stuttgart meets Mumbai’ festival. With the motto ‘A focus on tourism and film’, the festival was aimed at promoting tourism in Germany?s southwestern Swabian state of Baden-W?rttemberg. In addition, they also promoted ?Bollywood and Beyond’ Stuttgart Indian Film Festival ? the biggest Indian film festival in Europe drawing over 10,000 visitors annually.
