Nearly 2400 wines from all over the world were judged as part of the 2012 Indy International Wine Competition at Purdue University during the first week of August. For the first time in the 39 years of the competition, an Indiana winery won the "Wine of the Year" Award. The 2011 Vignoles from River City Winery in New Albany claimed that prize.

"For an Indiana winery to win Wine of the Year is very exciting for the Indiana wine industry," said Jeanette Merritt, Marketing Director for the Indiana Wine Grape Council.

White Wine of the Year honors went to Tabor Hill Winery of Michigan for their 2011 Gewürztraminer. Chateau Ste. Michelle of Woodinville, Washington won Red Wine of the Year for their 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon. Rosé Wine of the Year was awarded to 21 Brix Winery of Portland, New York for their 2011 Ellatawba Rosé.

The Sparkling Wine of the Year was awarded to Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards of Sonoma, California for their Carneros Cuvee and Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery of BC, Canada took the Dessert Wine of the Year honors for their 2011 Signature Ice Wine.

Hoosier wineries garnered 363 total medals. That includes 22 double gold, 26 gold, 110 silver, and 76 bronze medals.

Oliver Winery of Bloomington won the Indiana Winery of the Year, the Governor's Cup, recognizing the winningest Indiana winery. Indiana Wine of the Year was awarded to Wildcat Creek Winery, Lafayette, for their Chambourcin.

The Indy International has a special award division for Indiana grown wines. A wine must be composed of more than 85% Indiana grown fruit to be eligible. Wildcat Creek Winery, Lafayette, won Indiana-Made Traminette of the Year, honoring Indiana's Signature Wine and Grape. They also won Indiana-Grown American Wine of the Year for their Steuben. Brown County Winery of Nashville won the Indiana-Grown Fruit Wine of the Year for their 2011 Hard Cider. River City Winery of New Albany won the French-American Wine category for their 2011 Vignoles. Huber Orchard, Winery & Vineyards of Starlight won the Indiana-grown Vinifera Wine of the Year for their 2010 Heritage.

The Indy International is held at Purdue University and run by the Indiana Wine Grape Council. For a list of all medal-winning wines, log onto www.indyinternational.org.

Downtown Indianapolis' Easley Winery's REGGAE RED was voted favorite among all gold medal winning sweet wines at the Long Beach Grand Cru International Wine Competition earlier this month. That honor comes on top of previous awards this year as the sweet red wine won Gold and Best of Class in the Pacific Rim International Wine Competition and was a Gold medal winner at the Tasters Guild International Wine Competition.

www.easleywinery.com

Quench your thirst for outrageous outbursts of fun and local beer from Aug 17-26 as the Indy Fringe Festival takes place on Massachusetts Avenue in downtown Indianapolis. 336 performances. 7 theaters. 10 days. And this years Fringe beer is Midsummer Apricot Wheat produced by the official brewery of the Indy Fringe, Flat12 Bierwerks. Get a glass of the grog at one of the restaurants or bars on Mass Ave or in the "Beer Tent" where you will find food, beer and even MORE theater and music.

www.indyfringe.org