India will become the first eastern Asian nation to join the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV).

Speaking in Verona, OIV director general Federico Castellucci confirmed that the OIV was 'looking forward to welcoming India as a full member in a few months.'

He acknowledged Subhash Arora, director of the Indian Wine Academy, as having played an important role in this initiative.

Arora told decanter.com that 'once India becomes a member, it will have access to the governmental bodies of 43 nations as well as resource material from OIV.'

India currently has no laws or structure concerning grape growing and wine production.

Membership will be decided upon within six months, possibly as early as the OIV's annual plenary session to be held this June in Georgia.

 Original article from David Furer in Decanter