The prestigious Indy International Wine Competition may have moved to another date on the calendar, but The Ridge Winery here in Switzerland County continues to impress judges and win awards at the competition, which celebrated its 26th anniversary this year.
Over 2,000 wines traveled to Purdue University in West Lafayette for one of the nation’s largest wine competitions, which was held this year on May 24th-25th, earlier than its traditional August time period.
Wines from 40 states and 11 countries as far away as France, Australia, Spain and Greece were judged on appearance, aroma, taste, and aftertaste by 50 international judges.
The Ridge Winery, owned by Tom and Jane Demaree of Parks Ridge, earned three medals this year – with each of the three wines they entered earning praise.
– The winery’s Barrel Aged Blackberry wine earned a Bronze medal in the Berry.
– The Ridge’s Catawba Rose´wine earned a Silver medal in the American Rose´and Blush Class.
– The ‘Rural Cool’ Riesling wine earned a Silver medal in the Riesling Class.
Over the past three years, The Ridge Winery has earned one Gold; five Silver; and two Bronze medals for their entries.
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In the 2017 competition:
The Wine of the Year award was earned by Mercer Estates Winery of Washington state; with the Sparkling Wine of the Year going to ‘Allini’ of Italy; Red Wine of the Year to Barrister Winery of Washington state; White Wine of the Year to College Cellars of Washington state; Rose´ Wine of the Year to Swedish Hill Vineyard of New York; Dessert Wine of the Year to Buck Creek Winery of Indiana; Fruit Wine of the Year to Brown County Winery of Indiana; Wine Packaging of the Year to SoLu Estate Winery of Wisconsin; Label Design of the Year to Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurants in Illinois.
The Indiana Wine of the Year was awarded to French Lick Winery for its 2013 Cabernet Franc; and the Indiana Traminette of the Year was awarded to Tonne Winery for its 2016 Clear Capsule (Traminette).
The Indy International Wine Competition has been organized by the Purdue Wine Grape Team since 1992, and for the past 11 years under the leadership of Professor of Enology and Chief Judge Christian Butzke. “The more than two thousand wines entered in the 26th INDY are a true reflection of the amazingly diverse offerings that the global wine market provides to American wine lovers who now consume more wine than any other nation in the world. Our 50 professional wine judges represent the general public’s taste in wine, and their recommendations provide great guidance among the dizzying array of choices in the grocery store, online wine shop, or restaurant”, said Dr. Butzke.
Indiana was well represented in the competition, with Hoosier wineries winning 428 total medals. That includes 30 double gold, 73 gold, 197 silver, and 128 bronze medals.