(Decanter) - Moet-Hennessy has unveiled plans to release a domestic sparkling wine in India, after investing in the Nashik region north-east of Mumbai. 

Nineteen hectares of Pinot Noir, Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay were planted in 2011, in the Dindori sub-region of Nashik, Cathryn Boudiak, brand manager for Moet-Hennessy Estates & Wines told Decanter.com.

'The exact release date for our wines has not been confirmed, but I do know that the first bottles will be launched at the end of this year,' Boudiak said.

The winery – which is expected to be completed in 2014 – will have a capacity of producing 50,000 cases a year. According to IWSR (International Wine & Spirt Research) the current market for sparkling wine in India is growing, albeit from a very small base of 4% of the total wine market.

'The total sparkling wine market in 2012 was 94,000 cases - a rise of 24% over 2011. It had previously stagnated because there was no indigenous industry and background to drinking sparkling wine,' said IWSR managing director Alastair Smith.