A Love for the wines served in restaurants and hotel bars in India has blossomed into a wine distribution business for a Midlothian couple.
Dennis and Daisy Sandeman set up Apka Ghar Wines in June 2014 and now supply a range of Indian wines to restaurants in Edinburgh, Fife, Perth and Dundee.
Apka Ghar, which is Hindi for ‘your house’, distributes wines from Sula Vineyards in India’s Nashik Valley.
Originally offering Sula’s Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Red Zinfandel, Apka Ghar has added a Shiraz and is set to bolster the range it offers further with Seco sparkling wine and a rosé.
Dennis told SLTN the range of wines complements Indian cuisine.
“We decided to sell Sula wines as they have the best quality and are the best-selling wines in India,” he said.
“Our thinking is if people in Scotland drink Indian lagers when they go out for a curry, why would they not try Indian wine too.
“Many Scottish Indian restaurants are looking to enhance the dining experience customers have when they come in. Having the chance to pair up Indian wines with their authentic Indian cuisine is proving popular.
“The first hurdle is making customers aware you do get wine from India. Then once they have tasted and experienced it for themselves, customers remark on the great quality and how well it complements the food on offer.”
