Watch out Chardonnay. There is a NEW white wine in the glass of US wine drinkers and a user friendly way to help those who love riesling find the perfect bottle. RIESLING TASTE PROFILE, created by the International Riesling Foundation and now appearing on more than 15 million bottles in the U.S. market, got very high marks from both the trade and consumers in some recent research unveiled by John Gillespie of Wine Opinions at the Riesling Rendezvous at Chateau Ste. Michelle near Seattle.

Many consumers perceive Riesling only as a "sweet white wine", and that its weakness and strength are the same: diversity of styles which can both confuse and delight-if there is some way to determine what's in each bottle. Enter the IRF Riesling Taste Profile, which does just that. When shown the Taste Profile, wholesalers, retailers, and restaurants all felt it would greatly help consumers as well as their own staff members to understand and sell the wine. Even Costco (the country's largest wine retailer) asked for a copy of the presentation!

This week it was announced that a large portion of Australian Riesling producers are also adopting the Taste Profile on bottles from their new vintage, as well as major German-origin wines like the new Bluefeld from the Mosel marketed by Constellation Brands.

Two separate consumer focus groups-Riesling drinkers and a second one of Riesling non-drinkers-agree that it would be a very welcome guide to this enigmatic wine. The Wine Opinions research went well beyond the Taste Profile to explore other attitudes, and contains much valuable information. It is available for free to "Friends of the Foundation" (supporters of the International Riesling Foundation), and for $495 to others. For more information about the Riesling Taste Profile and how to become a "Friend", visit www.drinkriesling.com.

Kung Fu Girl Riesling, Washington State- No IRF labeling on this one yet, but its an off dry white that is perfect with Asian cuisine or as aperitif. Lovely aromas and flavors of apricot, honeysuckle give way to silky smooth softly sweet drink. Find it locally at Indianapolis area wine shoppes.

Shine Riesling, Germany- No IRF labeling on this one either, but the lovely blue bottle and easy to open screw cap and price point UNDER $10 makes it hard to resist. This is definitely a sweeter style riesling but not cloyingly sweet. Plenty of enticing aromas of white peach and honeyed fruit. Widely available in Indianapolis wine shoppes.

Congrats to Chef Thom England and his Ivy Tech Culinary Students who successfully served another outstanding and LOCALLY inspired meal during the Indy Fringe "Longest Dinner" event on Thursday, July 29. It's the third year Chef Thom and his students have donated time and talent to create a sumptuous menu for this fundraiser for the Indy Fringe Theater & Festival. This year's menu included a roast hog stuffed with sausage (from the David Randle farms), quinoa salad (with vegetables grown locally by an IndyFringe volunteer), roast leg of lamb (from Stan Poe farms) and Traders Point Creamery yogurt-topped berries macerated in wine. Sun King Brewing donated the beer. Free Market Wine Group and Barefoot Cellars donated the wine and bubbly.

Over 60 volunteers made it all happen. The food, the wine, the sense of community was divine. Don't miss the 2010 Indy Fringe Festival. Details www.indyfringe.org