As you read this I will be wrapping up a week of judging wine in California. The 2009 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition features the cutting edge varietals, bottles, and winemaker blends. I have the privilege to judge 200 wines each day for 4 days. That means LOTS of spitting and note taking. I plan to bring back the best to the Midwest and with the small distributors in Indy I know I can do that. They are the ones who bring you the great wine values available in Broad Ripple, Downtown Indy and elsewhere. Until then-put these on your list and be part of the wine trend for this fabulous, hope filled new year. Enjoy!

Nero D'Avola-succulent, rich red wine grape from Sicily

Pinotage-Smoky, plum, cherry red wine grape from South Africa

Tempranillo-THE red wine grape of Spain; tastes different depending on where it's grown-find bottles from Castillo y Leon, Toro, Navarra for great deals; Rioja region for big, brawny pricey bottles worth the price tag

Gruner Veltliner-Soft fruity white wine grape

Albarino-Seductive, sassy white wine grape from Spain

Torrontes-Smells sweet, tastes clean and crisp; wonderful white grape of the year!

NOT what your mother used to drink.

Try fresh reds and whites from Powers, Badger Mountain, Cuvee de la Pena.

Stelvin/Screw caps rule!- don't think it's your granddaddy's Manichevitz... it's the fresh, famous winemakers of the world bottling prized juice with tops that open with a twist of the wrist.

If you can't buy a glass of wine for 6 bucks or less then BUY THE BOTTLE. Restaurants CAN sell you the bottle-and if you don't drink it, you CAN TAKE IT HOME. IT IS LEGAL! Just put in back seat or preferably trunk. Restaurants mark up their bottle price THREE times the usual retail price.

Studio Sessions are becoming the thing of the norm in the Art Galleries this Winter. Dean Johnson Gallery will be holding 3 Studio Sessions in the gallery space this January where each artist will create something to show in the February 6th Opening (5-9pm) "Studio Sessions".

For more information contact www.deanjohnson.com.

In the Stutz building the artists hold their own sessions. One can take classes and workshops of all mediums taught by the Stutz artists as well as regional and national visiting artists. They also host the STUTZARTSPACE; a modular gallery space within the center to allow for individual exhibits that showcase members' art as well as the art of the workshop instructors.

www.stutzartists.com

Looking for ways to get out of the cold this winter? Check out classes at the Indianapolis Art Center or the Museum of Art for their latest workshops, studio sessions and classes.

www.indplsartcenter.org and www.imamuseum.org