An Interview with Jeanette Merritt

We were honored to interview Jeanette Merritt, Marketing Director for Indiana Wines and the Purdue Wine Grape Team and Purdue University.  For the past eleven years Jeanette has been a leader in the Hoosier wine community and in that same time has seen the number of Indiana wineries increase from twenty-eight to the current eighty-one. History?  Expertise?  Jeanette has all of this and more and has been a big part of the Purdue Vinticulture and Enology studies at Purdue--programs that have now turned out hundreds of wine makers and vineyard farmers across the Midwest and have also impacted the in-state wineries through these home-grown experts who are producing some award-winning Indiana wines.

As Jeanette points out, Indiana is doing quite well in the wine industry.  Although Indiana is a small state, with only 650 acres of grape/vineyard, wineries here are producing upwards of 1.4 million gallons of wine a year.  How?  By bringing in grapes from other regions, including California, Oregon, Washington state, Michigan, and even countries like Argentina.  These national and international expressions help to make Indiana wines as fully competitive and internationally known as wineries in other parts of the country.  And when one considers the delicious Traminette, Chardonelle, Vignoles, Cayuga White, Foch, Catawba and Cab Franc that we produce in-state (grapes that grow well in our soil and climate) . . . it is fair to say that Indiana wines will continue to gain in popularity and honor over time.

One of the big changes that Jeanette has seen in her eleven years at the helm is the proliferation of wineries across the state.  These wineries are now the Number One agro destinations in state, due in large part to the wines--but these Hoosier businesses are also doing a great job promoting their labels through special events, live music, as wedding venues, and so much more.  The wine makers of Indiana know what they are doing and many of the larger wineries in-state are truly destination spots for both locals and excursionists.  With a growing number of wine trails, many of the wineries are set to see increasing numbers of visitors in the years ahead.

Jeanette's parting advice for Hoosier wine lovers was spot on.  She pointed out that Indiana craft beers have a strong following (and craft beers are growing, too) and that many people ask for Indiana beer labels in restaurants.  So, one way that we can all help the Indiana wine industry is by asking for Indiana wines in our restaurants.  It just makes sense that restaurant owners are going to stock wines that are requested often . . . and now that Indiana has many award-winning wines, we can take that next step and begin enjoying them with award-winning cuisine.  

As Jeanette assumes a new role with Purdue University in 2016, we bid her adieu, but also thank her for her many years of expertise and influence among the Indiana wineries--a role she will not relinquish all-together, however.  The Purdue Vinticulture and Enology programs at Purdue, by the admission of many wineries across the state, may be the single most important factor in the growth of the wine industry in Indiana.  No matter where one goes in-state, wineries sing the praises of the Purdue staff.  So, there is much gratitude and acknowledgment of the Purdue staff and their influence.

Until next time . . . make a winter visit to a winery near you.  YOU are a big part of the success of Indiana wineries.

~Todd & Becky Outcalt     

Easley Winery II

We enjoyed a beautiful Saturday afternoon recently at Easley Winery (205 College Avenue, Indianapolis). In case you haven't been to Easley lately, you will want to see the fabulous renovations and new format (including winery tour) that is now a part of the weekend lineup.  Every visit can be a new adventure.

In addition to seven wine tastings for five dollars, you'll be shown "backstage" to the production area and learn how Easley makes their award-winning wines.  Easley makes a dry Chambourcin and one of the best Traminette's you will encounter anywhere in the state.  But the lineup goes well beyond these two traditional Hoosier varietals.  Whether red or white, dry or sweet, you are certain to discover a wine you will enjoy.

And here's one of the best features--the staff.  Bring your wine questions, and don't be afraid to ask for additional information about the art or science of the craft. 

Thanks to the Easley family and staff for an afternoon of hospitality and support.

~Todd & Becky Outcalt 

Wine Thoughts

Recently was interviewed on this radio spot about Indiana Wineries.  I hope I was able to shed a little light on the growing Hoosier wine scene.  Thank you, WFYI--Indianapolis, for inviting me. 

http://www.wfyi.org/programs/the-art-of-the-matter/radio/wine-tastings-cat-videos-and-curious-artists


~Todd Outcalt

Easley Winery

This Saturday, November 14th, please join us at Easley Winery in Indianapolis from 2-5 p.m.  We will be signing copies of Indiana Wineries, but also taking home some of our favorite Easley wines at day's end.  (Address: 205 N College Avenue)

If you have not been to Easley, you will be treated to an excellent experience and some fantastic wines.  Easley recently garnered top-award (double gold--wine of the year) for their 2014 Traminette.  In addition to being Indiana's signature grape with dozens of variations among the Hoosier wineries, the Easley offering has a floral nose with hints of apricot and a semi-dry tone on the tongue and cheek.  Easley is also known for their Reggae labels and this winery has one of the largest selection of in-home wine-making supplies. 

The weekend looks to be a beautiful one and visitors will enjoy the knowledgeable staff.  And there are several excellent restaurants in the area as well.

Hope to see you soon.
And Happy Tastings!

~Todd & Becky   

A Day at Stream Cliff Farm

My day at Stream Cliff Farm & Winery in southern Indiana was delightful. In addition to some fine southern hospitality I was blessed by beautiful scenery and new friends. Thank you, Betty, for your kindness.

This past weekend represented the end of the fall season for the farm and garden area, but the Stream Cliff Winery remains open through most of the winter.

Any visit to Stream Cliff will be rewarded with some very nice wines.  In addition to the top flight fruit wines presented here, patrons will also find a Merlot that is fruity and soft and a very fine Cabernet Sauvignon (California) that is deep and balanced, dry and complex.  

The tasting room at Stream Cliff also offers an assortment of treats, including chocolate truffles that go well with a glass of wine.  

Check out the Stream Cliff website or subscribe to the newsletter for the most up-to-date information on upcoming events.  

Indiana Wineries Conversation

Special thanks to WISH-TV (8) for the interview segment on Indy Style. We enjoyed the opportunity to tell others in central Indiana about the Hoosier wineries and what they have to offer. We had fun, also, searching through our small wine cellar in search of Indiana wines we could display, and we tried to show samples from north, south and central areas.


http://wishtv.com/2015/10/13/indiana-wineries/

If you look closely at the segment you can see labels from Shady Creek (north), Easley, Mallow Run, Oliver, Butler, Chateau Thomas (central) as well as Huber and French Lick (south).  We enjoy all of these wineries very much--not just the wines, but the ambiance, owners, special events, and food pairings. 

If you've not yet visited a winery in your area, make this fall a first. Beautiful time of the year to enjoy the colors, the aura, and of course the wines!

Some of our upcoming appearances and books signings for this fall include:

Saturday, Oct 24, Stream Cliff Farm & Winery 10a.m.-1 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 7, Barnes & Noble, Metropolis, Plainfield, 2-6 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 14, Easley Winery, Indianapolis, 2-5 p.m.

Happy Tastings!

~Todd & Becky Outcalt

From Italy With Love

It's been a year since we traveled through Italy enjoying Tuscan wines and amazing cuisine. But our return to Indiana also landed us in good stead with Hoosier vintages. We still have a large trove of Indiana labels in our wine cellar and hope to enjoy the same this fall.

While the super Tuscans were amazing in their own right, and the house wines of Italy never disappointed, we are looking forward to enjoying some of the following in the coming weeks.

Oliver Winery--Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Briali--Bada Bing Cherry
Buck Creek Winery--Pinot Grigio
Brown County Winery--Blackberry
Butler Winery--Peach

Additionally, here is an interview we recently completed with Blue River Press.

http://www.brpressbooks.com/qa-indiana-wineries/


Happy Tastings
~Todd & Becky

Cherry-O

Last month we completed a weekend circuit of the wineries on the Old Mission Peninsula, Michigan.  This stretch in the far north now has a dozen top notch wineries, all of which sported some of the most excellent cherry wines. But then, why not . . . as northern Michigan is known for their cherry crop. 

Still, one doesn't have to travel out of Indiana to find other top-flight cherry wines. Having traveled around the state, we have discovered some memorable cherry wines closer to home.

Mid-state, plan to visit Wildcat Creek Winery in Lafayette, Indiana. Their "Aunt Minnie's Cherry Tree" is a fine vintage, and it is one we enjoy, in particular, around the holidays. This cherry label could be considered a dessert wine but, chilled, might also be enjoyed in its own right on a temperate fall evening. Aunt Minnie's is sweet to semi-dry and holds a beautiful sparkle in the glass.

Further north--in the far northeast corner of the state near the Toll Road--look for Briali Vineyards in Fremont. Briali is one of the newer wineries in state, but is making an impression, in particular, with their cherry wines. Our bottle of Bada Bing (made from Bing Cherries) was superb. But for those who might enjoy a cherry wine that is more on the tart side, Briali also makes a wine for that taste also. The tart cherry holds firm on the tongue while also offering a bit of spice and cinnamon, making it a most delicious option that will compare well with any Michigan cherry label.

Other Indiana wineries are getting on board with cherry wines also--a fruit that lends itself well to various expressions and character. 

During this fall harvest, don't forget these wonderful fruit wines. 
Cherry-O.

~Todd & Becky

Hot Off the Press

It's here!  Hot off the Press!  Indiana Wineries. 330+ pages of information about the Hoosier wine-making and winery scene. The book also includes a brief history of Indiana vineyards, wine appreciation tips, and, of course, a profile of every winery in state, including amenities, entertainment, and accompanying recipes. But let's not forget the wines.  We've created lists, descriptions, and favorites for each and every winery (as of December 2014).

This is our gift to the wineries of Indiana and we hope that people who pick up a copy will use this book as a travel guide and will make plans this fall to visit favorites and new wineries around the state. Winery owners/operators will want to stock this book in their gift shops, too!

Where can you find a copy?  Well, always on Amazon, but look for it also at Barnes & Noble.com, area bookstores, and perhaps large box stores like Costco. 

And don't forget to check back here each week.  From now on we'll be running new blogs each week, profiling wineries, keeping you in touch with Indiana wines, and answering your questions (as we can).

Thanks for visiting. And we look forward to seeing you in the Indiana wineries very soon!
~Todd & Becky Outcalt

An Afternoon with Jim & Susie Butler

A recent visit to the Butler Winery (6200 E Robinson Rd., Bloomington, IN) landed me in good stead with the owners, Jim and Susie Butler, who have been producing some of the best wines in Indiana for thirty years.  But in fact, any visit to this beautiful destination is always a good day and my conversation with Jim & Susie was simply an additional delight . . . rather like pulling the cork on one of their excellent wines.

I did come away with some new insights about Indiana vineyards and the dedication to the craft of wine-making, however.

For example, I have learned from many corners of the state now that the winter of 2013/14 was especially hard on Indiana vineyards, especially some of the less-hearty varietals that could not survive the polar vortex extremes (if you recall) of something like 10-15 days of below zero temps.  The Butlers lost their entire hillside of Cab Franc vines as well as other varietals.  And so . . . like other vineyards in-state, new plantings are in the works, including the possibility of some Norton vines.  (Watch for these wines from Butler in the near future.)

What I appreciate about Jim & Susie is their near life-long dedication to Indiana wines and farming--and they are certainly well-known throughout the state for their leadership. It shows.  But they also love what they do and they are advocates for Indiana growers and wineries.

Jim has worked diligently to create a map of a large portion of southern Indiana known and recognized now as an American Viticultural Area. The Uplands Trail encompasses much of this zone and there are many fine wineries in this area.  Make plans to visit them this spring or summer.

Finally, I learned that Jim and Susie will soon be working hard at bottling new expressions of their signature Traminette and Chambourcin and will also have new blends forthcoming.  A new peach wine, "Butler's Late", carries on a family legacy from the Richmond, Virginia area and is the newest of the Butler labels.  It is an elegant peach wine--light, sweet and crisp--but not overly peachy to the point where the fruit overtakes one's ability to enjoy a glass by itself.  But I will be enjoying my bottle this summer with a bowl of vanilla ice cream.

Butler will also have a new sweet white wine this year . . . and the Chambourcin rose (always one of my faves) is in such short supply you'd better get to Butler soon before this supply is gone.  The Chambourcin rose is dry, but incredibly smooth and light on the palate, not overly fruity, and chills well for a relaxing evening on the back deck.  

Thanks to Jim & Susie for creating this remarkable winery. Always a great day when I can drive your way.
  
~Todd Outcalt      

Appreciating Riesling

Increasingly Indiana vintners are turning to the Riesling grape to expand their semi-sweet or semi-dry white labels.  Riesling is a natural fit for Indiana, as this German-staple grape grows well along the latitudes that are here reminiscent of the German countryside.  But what makes Riesling so spectacular among Indiana wineries is its ability to turn out top-flight tastes with or without a maturity in the bottle.

Of course, German Rieslings have a different taste than Indiana Rieslings, but some of the Hoosier presentations are noteworthy.  In state, this grape will manifest itself most prominently as a sweeter wine, sometimes with orchard flair or spice undertones.  Other Rieslings, if developed properly in the fermentation process, can have a dryer presentation--even mineral in nature--if not articulated in various fruit descriptions.

If you have not tried Riesling before, or have not for some time, give this white a chance.  You will likely discover that Rieslings in Indiana will have more complexity than, say, a Pinot Grigio or a Traminette.  Rieslings will generally have a deeper flavor, with a fruitier tone in opposition to the "grassy" taste of the Pinot or the surgary sweetness of a Traminette.  

Of course, there are variations . . . and all of these can change from winery to winery.  

Recently my wife and I tasted a short flight of some of the Indiana Rieslings and we enjoyed their summery, fruity flavors.  And if you search hard enough, you can even discover to some surprisingly dry Rieslings that can rival their German cousins.

Tell us what you think.

King Cab

Generally, Cabernet Sauvignon is considered the king of the red wine grapes.  Producers can use this grape to create some of the richest, full-bodied red wines.  And there are many people who consider Cab the preferred red wine when it comes to enjoying a glass with dinner.

As far as the world-wide scene, it is now something of a given that Napa Valley Cabs stand head and shoulders above the rest.  The Cabs produced in this region seem to always find their way to the top of the Parker scale and win award after award.  And the Cabs in the Bordeaux region of France form the foundation of these world-class wines.

But many don't know that there are now estate wineries in Indiana producing their own cabernet grapes.  These grapes, tended in Midwest soil and sunlight, are naturally quite different in taste and complexity from those grown in the Bordeaux region of France or in Napa Valley, California.  But from north to south, in state, one can taste the variations in these cabs, and learn to appreciate them for what they are.

We've discovered that northern Indiana cabs (with a much shorter growing season and earlier harvest) lean toward the earthy side of the spectrum.  This is not a bad thing, but cabs form the northern Indiana wineries might be more reminiscent of a Merlot or Malbec, and have a more exposed taste, an immediate taste, that with coaxing, can actually sit well in the glass and hold up well in certain years.  Northern cabs seem to have a freshness, and immediacy, that is more fruity than aged.  In short, these are cabs that have their own distinctions among wine makers . . . and many are surprisingly good.

Further south, especially along the Ohio river valley, one can find cabs of unique flair.  A year ago, we found a cab at Winzerwald Winery that had a distinct taste of cinnamon.  And Huber is creating cabs that are both full-bodied and deep--especially in the Heritage lineup.  

At any rate . . . don't overlook an Indiana cab.  And ask if it is estate grown.  You will be surprised at what you can learn about the soil, the rain, the seasons as you taste these wines.  They really are in in-state gem. 

New Wineries

Although Indiana is not a large state, we do play host to a growing number of amazing wineries.  But because Indiana is not a large state, it is possible to get to any winery during a day trip.  Currently, there are nearly eighty wineries in state, but that number continues to change annually.

And there always seem to be new wineries cropping up, too.

Among the newer wineries in state, check out Two EEs in the northeast corner of the state.  This winery offers a beautiful and spacious tasting room, a state of the art production facility (visible behind glass at the tasting bar no less) and some unique wines.  (When is the last time you had Tannat?)  Although less than two years old, Two EEs has already established a reputation as a top-flight producer and they will only get better.

Options here range from whites to sweet reds, but we can see that Two EEs will make their mark in the bold red categories.  Deep tastes here, with good Cab and Syrah, and growing complexities throughout.

Closer to the heart of Indianapolis, check out Traders Point Winery, located just south of 86th street near Trader's Point.  This new winery features a quaint but welcoming show room, a small tasting bar, and a growing number of labels, including fruity whites and a sweet rose.

Wineries planning to open in 2015 should also contact us.  We'd love to visit and help to get the word out.  

  

Why Indiana Wineries?

Many may wonder:  with so many wine options available today, what makes Indiana wines special?  Or, perhaps, what do Indiana wineries have to offer?

A brief conversation may help to provide an answer.

Over the past three years we have traveled the state, visited every winery in Hoosierland, taken photos, interviewed winery owners and wine makers, and written what we hope will be a definitive guide to Indiana wineries--now totaling nearly 75 establishments in-state.  Some months ago, while we were tasting a short flight of new wines up north, we happened to be joined by a travel writer and wine critic from California.  

Our encounter was pure happenstance, but after introducing ourselves and our book project, we asked the wine writer to tell us what she really thought of our Hoosier offerings.

"You know," she said, "California has large, well-known wine estates with world-renown labels, but so much of the 'look' and 'taste' of the California wineries and the wines holds a similarity.  But Indiana's wineries have a quaint, down-home feel to them.  Every winery is unique.  And because so many wineries are new, a person can always discover a fresh destination and taste just a few miles from home."

We liked her response . . . and had discovered the same in our travels and tastings around the state.  And yes, we've visited wineries and tasted wines in those world-renown regions, too:  Napa, Washington state, Oregon, France, Italy, and elsewhere.  We have our favorites.  We enjoy many tastes.

But growing up in Indiana, we have come to appreciate what our Hoosier landscape has to offer.  We've traveled from the shores of Lake Michigan to the Ohio River valley, cross-hatched east to west, and enjoyed every winery in Indiana.  We have tasted all of the Indiana labels.  And here is what we hope you will discover when you visit the wineries . . . and what you will learn from this blog:

* World-class Hoosier hospitality
* Unique tastes from vineyards featuring Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay--and some of the best Traminette or Cabernet Franc vintages in the U.S.
* Relaxing drives and weekend getaways
* Expert vintners and wine makers
* Beautiful wineries

And don't forget to visit here before you plan your next winery adventure. We would love to hear from you.

Happy tastings!

~Todd & Becky