New Albany's River City Winery wins top honors

[Robin Garr]

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - For the first time, an Indiana winery took top honors at the Indy International Wine Competition, which took place Wednesday through Friday (Aug. 1-3) at Purdue University.

River City Winery of New Albany was awarded Wine of Year for its 2011 Vignoles. The entry was among nearly 2,400 wines from 41 states and 14 countries competing in the annual event. The competition is run by the Indiana Wine Grape Council.

"For an Indiana winery to win Wine of the Year is very exciting for the Indiana wine industry," said Jeanette Merritt, the council's marketing director. "Indiana wines are outstanding, and River City not only showed that, but all of our wineries proved that in the amount of medals they won this year."

Fifty international judges selected the winning entries based on appearance, aroma, taste and aftertaste, said Christian Butzke, Purdue professor of enology and the competition's chief judge. Entries came from as far away as France, Australia, Chile and Germany.

"The nearly 2,400 wines entered in the 2012 Indy provided a fascinating perspective of things to come for American wine consumers," Butzke said.

Other wine entry awards included:

* White Wine of the Year - 2011 Gewürztraminer, Tabor Hill Winery, Buchanan, Mich.

* Red Wine of the Year - 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Woodinville, Wash.

* Rosé Wine of the Year - 2011 Ellatawba Rosé, 21 Brix Winery, Portland, N.Y.

* Sparkling Wine of the Year - Carneros Cuvee, Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards, Sonoma, Calif.

* Dessert Wine of the Year - 2011 Signature Ice Wine, Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery, British Columbia, Canada.

* Fruit Wine of the Year - Cracklin Apple, Galena Cellars, Galena, Ill.

* Honey Wine of the Year - White Winter Winery, Iron River, Wis.

* Honey Wine Blend of the Year - Wyldewood Cellars, Mulvane, Kan.

E&J Gallo Winery of Modesto, Calif., was awarded the Winery of the Year Trophy, sponsored by the Leisure Family. The trophy honors the competition's best international brand.

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.

Indiana was well represented in the competition. Hoosier wineries won 363 medals, including 22 double gold, 26 gold, 110 silver and 76 bronze.

Oliver Winery of Bloomington won the Indiana Winery of the Year, the Governor's Cup, recognizing the top-winning Indiana winery. Wildcat Creek Winery of Lafayette was awarded Indiana Wine of the Year for its Chambourcin.

The Indy International features a special award division for Indiana-grown wines. Wines must be composed of more than 85 percent Indiana grown fruit to be eligible. Wildcat Creek Winery won Indiana-Made Traminette of the Year, honoring Indiana's signature wine and grape. Wildcat Creek also won Indiana-Grown American Wine of the Year for its Steuben. Brown County Winery of Nashville won Indiana-Grown Fruit Wine of the Year for its 2011 Hard Cider. River City Winery won the French-American Wine category for its 2011 Vignoles. Huber Orchard, Winery & Vineyards of Starlight won the Indiana-grown Vinifera Wine of the Year for its 2010 Heritage.

The Indy International began in 1973 as an Indiana-only event but began including entries from around the world in 1992 under the leadership of Richard Vine. Butzke took over leadership of the competition in 2006.

For a list of all medal-winning wines, log onto http://www.indyinternational.org

A group of us walked over to RCW today after having an excellent brunch at Bank Street Brewhouse. We wanted to try this award wining vignoles. We've been going to RCW with increasing frequency and had sampled many of their wines. None of us could remember having had the vignoles before. I usually drink whites (when I drink wine) but the rest of the group prefers semi-sweet reds.

As soon as we walked into the restaurant the girls began to shiver and complain about being cold. We told the host that we would just buy a few bottles cold and take them with us. When the register rang up my bottle at $28 I said whoa! I pointed out that their website listed the price for this wine as $18.

I was told that the price was raised immediately after the wine won and that they had sold 40 cases the previous day. I said I understood but I would need to have a taste before purchasing. When I drink wine at all I prefer dry whites. Their oaked chardonel is my favorite. The vignoles tasted pretty sweet to me. It reminded my untutored palate of the Reislings that I first became partial to. So, if you are thinking to go try this thing out I will offer some advice.

Go soon as I suspect they will sell out of this wine. Take a jacket if you are cold natured. Be prepared to love the atmosphere, food, and service at the RCW. Wed nights is 20% off wine. Cheers!

[Robin Garr]

Shane, of course they have the right to take a quick profit, but personally, your story does not leave a good taste in my mouth.

Vignoles, also known by the less euphonius moniker Ravat 51, is a French-American hybrid grape that's fairly common in Indiana. It's usually vinified sweet or off-dry - much like Riesling, as you perceptively discerned. Dry models are rare, although the old Possum Trot Winery in Brown County, run by Indiana wine pioneer Ben Sparks, made a great one, a dead ringer for a decent White Burgundy. That was in the '80s, so I'm sure none remains on Earth.