SHILLONG: With the aim to utilise various horticultural products in the State, the 14th Shillong Wine Festival was organised by the Forever Young Club at the State Central Library premises here on Saturday.
However, considering the gloomy financial scenario in the country, the wine festival drew fewer crowds as compared to previous years. Stall owners expressed their concern as sale of produce was affected. There were many stalls that accepted Paytm while some used swipe machine to ease the customers.
Talking to media persons, president, Forever Young Club, Michael Syiem, “The aim is to uplift horticulture products in the State, people now understand that they do not need to throw away fruits as they can be made into wine.”
“People are now starting to make wine out of wild apples (locally known as Sohphoh Khasi), we are hopeful that the State government will legalise wine making and the benefits will be more,” he added.
Apart from the development of horticultural benefits, he said that the government can generate revenue from this festival as wine tourism can be promoted and it will benefit the state as a whole.
Commenting that locally made wines were ignored, he laments, “Wine made from companies outside the state is being promoted while wines made by locals are not given preference.”
Syiem informed that through the wine festival, the quality of wine has greatly improved and that people are now experimenting with various horticultural products to make wine.
