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Spirited competition
By Beth Forbes
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Photo by Tom Campbell |
Amidst humble surroundings in the heat of an Indiana summer, wine connoisseurs banter about Bordeaux, argue over aromas and talk about tannins. Their spirited conversations are serious-after all, they are judging one of the nation's premier wine competitions..
The unpretentious location of the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis is fast becoming known for one of the largest and most prestigious wine events held in the United States. The 2000 Indy International Wine Competition held in July attracted a record 2,505 wines. It ranks among the top three competitions in America, based on total number of entries, and is the single largest such event held outside of California.
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Photo by Tom Campbell |
"I think this bodes well for the quality reputation we are building for Indianapolis as a center where American, European and Southern Hemisphere vintners go head to head with each other," says Richard Vine, competition chairman and Purdue enologist.
The contest also is expanding Indiana's reputation as a wine state. Facing competition from some of the best wineries in the world, Hoosier vintners received 142 awards. Out of 191 Indiana wines entered, the wineries came home with 20 gold medals, 49 silver and 73 bronze.
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