07 wine fair judging

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 26, 2007

Panel Declares the Best Wines in Indiana

World Class Wines Will be Featured at Indiana Wine Fair April 28

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Each year, on the eve of the Indiana Wine Fair, Dr. Allen Dale ("Ole") Olson a/k/a the "Pontiff of Palate" and several independent judges sequester themselves for an entire afternoon in a 19th century grain mill in Story Indiana. Their delicious task: to declare the very best wines made in the Hoosier state. "From what I can observe, it is a process not dissimilar to electing the real Pontiff" observes Rick Hofstetter, owner of the Story Inn, located 13 miles south of Nashville. "When the process is over, I expect to see white smoke curling up from the chimney."

This year, the Pontiff assembled an august panel of six judges: Jerry Cartmel, Peg Pardieck, Bob Van Vleet, Joan Olson, Dianne Cartmel and Angelo Pizzo (the screenwriter of the movie "Hoosiers"). Their task was to sample more than 100 entries submitted by Indiana's 30 wineries. "We group them in six categories (dry red, sweet red, dry white, sweet white, dessert and non-grape) and then judge on the basis of several characteristics. None of the judges know what they are tasting--the process is entirely blind" says Ole, who supervises the process but does not himself judge (except to break a tie). The top selections in each category are added to the Story Inn's venerable wine list.

Though reasonable palates may differ, there was a consensus of opinion among the judges that Indiana wines have made a quantum leap forward. "The most impressive thing I observed this year is that the overall quality of the wines improved immensely. Hoosier wines have definitely come of age" observes Jerry Cartmel.

The Indiana Wine Fair is the state's premier wine event, hosted each year by the Story Inn. "It is my task, Sisyphean as it may be, to wean the public from cheap domestic beer" says the Story Inn's owner Rick Hofstetter. The Story Inn is Indiana's oldest country inn, with "one inconvenient location since 1851." Despite its comparative inaccessibility, the Story Inn lures wine aficionados from all over the Midwest for the Indiana Wine Fair.

These wines, and hundreds of others, will be showcased on Saturday, April 28, at the Story Inn, from 1-6:00 p.m. "We are expecting a nice crowd, because the entry fee is only $10, and parking is free. As an added bonus, the Weather Channel had promised sunny skies and 72 degrees" says Hofstetter.

The winners in each category:

CATEGORY WINERY WINE

Dry White

GOLD MEDAL Oliver Winery Traminette 2006

SILVER MEDAL Huber Winery Vignoles

BRONZE MEDAL Huber Winery Chardonal

Dry Red

GOLD MEDAL Oliver Winery Merlot 2005

SILVER MEDAL Brown County Winery Cabernet Sauvignon

BRONZE MEDAL Easley Winery Cabernet Sauvignon

Sweet White

GOLD MEDAL Grape Inspirations Johannisberg Riesling

SILVER MEDAL Huber Winery Starlight White

BRONZE MEDAL Brown County Winery Vista White

Sweet Red

GOLD MEDAL Chateau Thomas Sweet Aubergine

SILVER MEDAL Carousel Winery Red Tiger Red

BRONZE MEDAL Windy Knoll Winery Windy Knoll Heritage

Dessert

GOLD MEDAL Windy Knoll Winery Royal Raspberry

SILVER MEDAL Grape Inspirations Crystal Vine

BRONZE MEDAL Huber Winery Autumn Frost

Non-Grape

GOLD MEDAL Oliver Winery Harvest Favors--Mango

SILVER MEDAL Winzerwald Winery Blueberry

BRONZE MEDAL Ferrin's Fruit Winery Blackberry Delight

Best of Show Chateau Thomas Sweet Aubergine

The wine which obtained the highest cumulative point total was the Sweet Aubergine by Chateau Thomas (Plainfield). "This is arguably one of the most popular wines made in Indiana. It was truly outstanding. The point total just blew away the competition" reported the Pontiff.

The most pleasant surprise, according to the Pontiff, were the non-grape wines. 'I found these to be stable and delicious. We Hoosiers excel in this category, one that has unfortunately been overlooked."

Oliver Winery (Bloomington) stole the show with three of six possible gold medals. By consensus, judges gave high marks to Brown County Winery, Carousel Winery, Huber Winery, Windy Knoll and Grape Inspirations, who are "getting it right." "We have grape expectations from these folks in the future" says the Pontiff.

All of the medalists, as well as hundreds of other delicious wines, will be showcased at the Indiana Wine Fair on Saturday. The winners will be marked with helium balloons in the appropriate colors: gold, silver, bronze.

DETAILS:

What: The Indiana Wine Fair

When: Saturday, April 28, 2006, 1-6:00 p.m.

Where: Story Inn, 6404 South State Road 135, Nashville, In 47448

Admission: $10, parking is free

Extras: Food, live music.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Rick Hofstetter (812) 988-2273

Ole and Joan Olson
(812) 497-3568