Indy International wine awards announced

Nearly 3,300 wines traveled to Indianapolis for the nation�s third largest wine competition, the Indy International, July 24-26 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

Wines from 15 countries as far away as Greece, Hungary and Israel were judged on appearance, aroma, taste, and aftertaste by 14 panels of judges. In all, 70 judges flew in from Canada, France and across North America to evaluate the wines.

Valdivieso of Santiago, Chile was awarded the Best of Show award, sponsored by American Airlines, for its 2000 Single Vineyard Reserve Cabernet Franc. Best white wine honors went to St. Supery Vineyards & Winery�s 2002 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc and best red wine to Rodney Strong Vineyards� 1999 Alden Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, both of California.

The best commercial sparkling wine was awarded to Champagne Pommery of France for their 1996 Grand Cru and Blandy�s of Portugal took the best dessert wine honors for their Malmsey/Bual. The last two categories, best fruit wine and best honey mead wine were awarded to Florida Orange Groves, Inc. for their Pineapple Sunset and to Rocky Mountain Meadery of Colorado for their Guinevere, respectively.

Galena Cellars of Galena, Illinois was awarded the Pacesetter Winery of the Year Trophy sponsored by Leisure Family. The award honors the winery that wins the most awards at the competition. Galena earned 31 medals, including one concordance gold, seven gold, 11 silver, and 12 bronze.

The Indiana State Fair Wine Competition began in 1973 as an Indiana-only event. The competition began admitting entries from across the world in 1992 under Richard Vine, PhD.

�It is gratifying to see the Indy International�s continued growth,� says Vine, honorary chairman, �not only through the increased wine entries, but also in terms of new, high-profile wineries from around the world that are participating in the event.�

Indiana was well represented in the competition, with 23 of the state�s 27 wineries entering. Hoosier wineries took home a total of five concordance gold medals, 13 gold, 61 silver, and 99 bronze.

�The Indiana wineries went head to head with wines from throughout the world and brought home 178 medals,� said Sally Linton, marketing director for the Indiana Wine Grape Council. �That is quite a feat for a smaller wine producing state and demonstrates that Indiana wines are of high quality.�

Huber Winery of Starlight, Indiana was awarded the Indiana Governor�s Cup as the most award-winning Indiana winery at the competition. Huber took home 17 medals, including two concordance gold, three gold, five silver, and seven bronze.

The Indy has a special award division for Indiana grown wines. A wine must be composed of more than 85% Indiana grown fruit to be eligible. Huber Winery won the Hoosier grown hybrid wine category for their Lakeside White and the native wine category for their Catawba, while Chateau Pomije received honors in the vinifera category for their Cabernet Sauvignon and commercial fruit wine category for their Blueberry wine. All awards were sponsored by the Indianapolis Wine Enthusiasts. Kauffman Winery was the Indiana Grown Fruit Wine Champion for their Peach wine, sponsored by the Indiana Wine Growers Guild.

The Indiana wine awards reception took place July 31 at A Taste of Indiana Agriculture, an event held at the Indiana State Fairgrounds to showcase Indiana agricultural products, including its award-winning wines.

The Indy International is sponsored by the Indiana State Fair and coordinated by the Indiana Wine Grape Council.

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Contacts:
Richard Vine, PhD, Honorary Chairman, (765) 494-6500, [email protected]
Ellen Harkness, Competition Coordinator, 765-494-6704, [email protected]
Sally Linton, Marketing Director, Indiana Wine Grape Council, 765-496-3842, [email protected]