Court breaks battle over brandy; Pisco is for Peru, Chile both

A brandy brawl that raged through India's patent bodies over 20 years has finally come to a close, with the Delhi High Court deciding who can lawfully sell South America's premium Pisco spirit in the country.

- Krishna Yadav

Vineyards from Peru and Chile can market their grape-based brandy as Pisco in India, the court ruled on Monday, provided the labelling clearly mentions the country of origin.

Liquor industry executives and lawyers termed it a landmark decision, strengthening India's Geographical Indications (GI) framework by ensuring authentic products are properly labelled and protected.

"This judgment reinforces the consumer protection mandate at the heart of the GI Act, ensuring that consumers receive clear and accurate information about a product's origin and characteristics," added Swati Sharma, partner & head-intellectual property at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas.

For lovers of Pisco, a niche premium liquor produced primarily in Peru's Ica Valley since the 16th Century, it means a wider choice of the drink, and clarity over where it came from. It is a clear, strong grape brandy with around 42% alcohol, distilled from fermented black Quebranta grapes.