Indy International Wine Competition 2012

In addition to fermenting wine, the Midwest is also home to a Wine competition that claims to be among the largest in the United States, the Indy International Wine Competition. Established 20 years ago and held annually at the Indiana State Fair ground since 1999 Purdue University, the competition is decided by over 50 judges from the US, Canada, and the United Kingdom (though roughly half come from the Midwest). Both commercial wineries and amateurs are welcome to compete in many different categories: American grape wines, French American grape wines traditional Europa grape wines, Honey Wines, Fruit wines, Dessert wines, Sparkling wines, and Distilled Alcohol (such as Brandy and Liqueurs).

In 2012, 2,499 wines were entered, 593 of these coming from amateurs. Overall, 1,847 wines won some type of award, or roughly 74%. Indiana wineries did not fare as well as the average, as they submitted a total of 395 wines, of which 261 won awards, or 66%. Amateurs overall did better by winning 466 awards, or 79%. On average, Indiana Wines tend to do worse then the average, but still produces a large number of Gold and Double Gold Award wines year after year. (2012 Double Golds, 2011 Double Golds)

Despite the lackluster across-the-board performance of Indiana wines, the Wine of the Year for 2012 is River City Winery's 2011 Vignoles. From New Albany, Indiana, it is the first time in the competition that an Indiana wine took the top award. Other wines from the Midwest also made top awards including Tabor Hill Winery's 2011 Gewurztraminer, which won White Wine of the Year, Galena Cellars Cracklin Apple, which won Fruit Wine of the Year, White Winter Winery which won Honey Wine of the Year.

Historically, Indiana wines score around 66%. Initially, it might seem this is a bit lower then the overall average, but given the proximity of Indiana Wineries to the competition, there's likely more entries from Indiana than if the competition were held elsewhere. But for the nearly 60 wineries to be earn a total of 261 awards, its a good sign that the Midwestern wine industry, along with Indiana wines, is going strong.