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2012 Indy International Wine Competition

This is the 21^st year for the Indy International Wine Competition.  Jeanette Merritt, marketing director for the Indiana Wine Grape Council says an independent panel of 50 judges taste and analyze the wines.  “Wines are brought in from 14 countries and 41 states,” she says.  “Over 2,600 wines from around the world entered in the competition held at Purdue University.”

That means judges scored approximately 150 wines per day.  Merritt says they are looking for certain qualities in each flight of wines.  “If they judge a Traminette – which is a white wine – they are looking for certain floral characteristics, or does it smell bad.” she says.  “If it is a wine that smells bad and the taste is off – it wouldn’t receive a medal.”  Merritt notes if a wine “has a lot of good aromas and is really pleasant when you put it in your mouth” it may be a wine that is awarded a gold medal. 

While the voting is subjective – the judges are very educated on what they are looking for in a wine and Merritt says their opinion is very trusted.

AUDIO: Jeanette Merritt, Indiana Wine Grape Council (3:34mp3)

Thursday afternoon and Friday morning judges narrowed the wines into the best of show category. 

Results of this year’s competition:

For the first time, an Indiana winery won Wine of the Year, besting 2400 other wines to be named the best wine of the entire competition.  River City Winery, New Albany, IN won Wine of the Year for their 2011 Vignoles! 

White Wine of the Year honors went to Tabor Hill Winery of Michigan for their 2011 Gewürztraminer.  Chateau Ste. Michelle of Woodinville, Washington won Red Wine of the Year for their 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon. Rosé Wine of the Year was awarded to 21 Brix Winery of Portland, New York for their 2011 Ellatawba Rosé.  

The Sparkling Wine of the Year was awarded to Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards of Sonoma, California for their Carneros Cuvee and Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery of BC, Canada took the Dessert Wine of the Year honors for their 2011 Signature Ice Wine.

Galena Cellars of Galena, Illinois won Fruit Wine of the Year for their Cracklin Apple.  The last two categories, Honey Wine of the Year and Honey Wine Blend of the Year were awarded to White Winter Winery of Iron River, Wisconsin and Wyldewood Cellars, respectively.

E&J Gallo Winery of Modesto, California was awarded the Winery of the Year Trophy, sponsored by the Leisure Family. The trophy honors the Best International Brand of the entire competition.  

Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery won the Winemaker of the Year Trophy, honoring the winery that wins the most gold medals by brand at the competition.