Indy International wine awards announced National

Indianapolis, IN - Over 3,600 wines traveled to Indianapolis for the nation's third largest wine competition, the Indy International, July 29-31 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Wines from seventeen countries as far away as Germany, Portugal, and South Africa were judged on appearance, aroma, taste, and aftertaste by fifteen panels of judges. In all, seventy-five judges flew in from as far away as California, New York, and Quebec to evaluate the wines.

Geyser Peak Winery, of California was awarded the Best of Show award, sponsored by American Airlines, for its 2003 Reserve Late Harvest Semillon. Best white wine honors went to Germany's Wegeler-Erben, 1997 Bernkasteler Doctor, and best red wine to Spero Winery from Denver, Colorado for their 1999 Vino`e Buono Zinfandel. The best commercial sparkling wine was awarded to Gloria Ferrer Champagne Caves for their 1995 Royal Cuvee. Josephs Estate Wines of Ontario took best dessert wine honors for a 1999 Niagara Peninsula Vidal Blanc Ice Wine. The last two categories, best fruit wine and best honey wine were awarded to Carousel Winery for a Cherry Wine and to Martins Honey Farm and Meadery of New York for their Traditional Honey Wine respectively.

Galena Cellars/Lawlor Family Winery of Illinois was awarded the Pacesetter Trophy: International Award of Excellence. This is Galena Cellars second consecutive year to win this honor which recognizes the brand winning the most awards at the competition. Galena earned 31 medals, including three concordance gold, eight gold, eight silver, and twelve bronzes. 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 twenty-five of the state's thirty-one wineries entering. Hoosier wineries took home a total of three concordance gold medals, sixteen gold, sixty silver, and 101 bronzes. "The Indiana wineries went head to head with wines from throughout the world and brought home 180 medals," said Ellen Harkness, Competition Coordinator. "That is quite a feat for a smaller wine producing state and demonstrates that Indiana wines are of high quality."

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 Niagara, while Chateau Pomije Winery received honors in the vinifera category for their Cabernet Sauvignon. Kapp Winery & Orchard was the Indiana Grown Fruit Wine Champion for their Persimmon table wine, sponsored by the Indiana Wine Growers Guild. The Indiana wine awards reception took place August 4 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 based at Purdue University.