What happens when you gather several hundred US consumers who love wine to pick their favorites? The Tasters Guild International Wine Lovers Consumer Competition. This years 12th tasting took place in Washington DC where Indiana winery, Chateau Thomas, took top honors, winning 11 Gold and Double Gold medals, earning them the distinction of Gold Medal Champion among the hundreds of US wineries entered in the competition.

Dr. Charles Thomas makes the wines in his winery just west of Indianapolis from top quality grapes from Napa and Sonoma counties.

Full results and how YOU could become a member of Tasters Guild and choose next year's grand champion are at www.tastersguild.com. Visit www.chateauthomaswinery.com for hours, wines and ways to do your own local tasting at the winery that's just 35 minutes from Broad Ripple.

800 and 900 blocks of Massachusetts Avenue in downtown Indy

Saturday, September 8, 2007 4-11pm

Food- Music-Wine-Beer

Radio NOW and Emmis Communications invite you to party on the Avenue.

A great way to sample the spirit of one of the best places in the city, Massachusetts Avenue. I'll be pouring wine tastings at the Mass Ave Wine Shoppe booth. Come say hello and taste six wines for $5.

www.emmis.com

Enjoy a day in France without ever leaving Marion county at the annual St. Joan of Arc French Market, Saturday, September 15, at 4217 Central Avenue. About seven minutes south of Broad Ripple. This FREE event offers music, food, wine, food, raffle prizes, food, kids activities, food . . .

Cajun Onion Soup, Crawfish Etoufee, Tenderloin tips in Wine Sauce, French pastries and desserts. www.stjoa.org

Oxford Landing Viognier-soft, exotic aromas and flavors in this silky dry white wine from Australia. Enjoy with Thai, Indian or vegan dishes

2005 Ferrari-Carano "Tres Terre" Chardonnay, Russian River Valley- Burgundian style dry white loaded with delicious aromas of pear, soft smoke give way to silky flavors of buttery croissant topped with juicy pear jam. Mineral mid palate and touch of soft lemon lingers in the grand finale.

2004 Wattle Creek Pinot Noir, Yorkville Highlands, Mendocino County, California-earthy, rich, tantalizing nose of cassis, wild strawberry give way to silky full-bodied flavors of the same plus hints of vanilla bean.

2004 Qupe Syrah- Oh my. Rich and ready. A Central Coast of California superstar with lush plum, blackberry, mineral, blueberry flavors that dazzle on the drink and linger nicely.