Wineries of Indiana

Indy International Wine Competition Results!

Saturday, July 28, 2007

FOR RELEASE SATURDAY July 28, 2007

Indy International wine awards announced

Nearly 3,300 wines traveled to Indianapolis for one of the nation's largest wine competitions, the Indy International, July 26-28, 2007 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

Wines from 16 countries as far away as , and were judged on appearance, aroma, taste, and aftertaste by 14 panels of judges. In all, 70 judges flew in from , and cross North America to evaluate the wines.

Louis M. Martini Winery of Napa Valley, California was awarded the Best of Show award, sponsored by Sensient, for its 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon. Best white wine honors went to St. Supery Vineyard and Winery of California for their 2006 Virtu. California 's Barefoot Cellars 2004 Reserve Impression won best red wine. Best Rose wine was awarded to Turning Leaf of California for their 2006 White Zinfandel.

The best commercial sparkling wine was awarded to Bel Lago Vineyard and Winery of Michigan for their Leelanau Brillante Sparkling Wine and Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery of Canada took the best dessert wine honors for their 2006 Riesling Icewine. Meyer Vineyard and Winery of Kentucky won best fruit wine for their Sweet Red Raspberry. The last two categories, best honey wine and best alternative honey wine were awarded to Montezuma Winery of New York and to Torrey Ridge Winery of New York, respectively.

Oliver Winery of Bloomington, Indiana was awarded the Pacesetter Trophy, sponsored by the Leisure Family. The Pacesetter Trophy honors the Best International Brand of the entire competition. Oliver Winery won 2 concordance gold, 5 gold, fifteen silver and 6 bronze medals.

Galena Cellars of Illinois won the Taster's Guild Trophy, honoring the winery that wins the most gold medals by brand at the competition.

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. Dr. Christian Buztke took over the leadership of the competition in 2006.

"It is gratifying to see the Indy International's continued success," says Butzke, Chief Judge. "Wineries from all over the world value the medals they receive from this competition and."

Indiana was well represented in the competition, with 31 of the state's 35 wineries entering. Hoosier wineries took home a total of seven concordance gold medals, 14 gold, 81 silver, and 66 bronze medals.

"The Indiana wineries went head to head with wines from throughout the world and brought home 168 medals," said Jeanette Merritt, marketing director for the Indiana Wine Grape Council. "Not only did we bring home many medals, but Oliver Winery won the best International Brand Trophy! That demonstrates Indiana wines are of high quality."

Oliver Winery was also awarded the Indiana Governor's Cup as the most award-winning Indiana winery at the competition.

The Indy International 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 Orchard and Winery of Starlight won all three categories! Huber's won the French-American Wine category for their 2006 Chardonel, the best American Wine for their Niagara and the fruit wine category for their Razzy Apple. All Indiana awards are sponsored by the Indianapolis Wine Enthusiasts Club or the Indiana Winegrowers Guild.

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

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Contacts:

Jeanette Merritt, Marketing Specialist, Indiana Wine Grape Council, 765-496-3842, [email protected]