PLAINFIELD —
For those who didn’t know, Beaujolais Nouveau Day was five months ago. But in the tradition of the French wine holiday that was marked by wineries throughout the world uncorking some of their premium selections, several Indiana wineries followed suit this past weekend.
Chateau Thomas Winery here was among those participating in Free the Cork Day.
The winery held an informational session on winemaking and also released its 2011 Sauvingon Blanc, describing it as a light, warm weather wine for a variety of foods and occasions.
“The event sort of fits into the winemaking calendar,” said Michael Cunningham, a winemaker with Chateau Thomas who has been making wine for 20 years. “Spring is starting and you have some wines from the past year that are done early and ready to release.
“The Sauvingon Blanc is a nice, light, herbal taste profile that works in the summer. Most people that I know who are really interested in wines drink more red, but I don’t much in the summer. They can be heavy. This is a good release for that time.”
Cunningham spent a few hours at the event giving people an inside look into the wine making process, and how this particular blend came about.
Chateau Thomas Winery made just more than 100 cases of the version for those who want to try the new release.
“Although every wine’s a little different, this is a stainless steel fermented Sauvingon Blanc,” Cunningham said. “With red wines, we get grapes usually, but since we get most of our stuff from the west coast, white grapes don’t ship well. We have it shipped as a juice, and when we warm it up, we see how much sugar it’s got and check the measurements of other chemicals.
“What I’ve really come to find after doing this for 20 years is that I really like whites fermented about 58 degrees. If you ferment too cold, they tend to taste like a grapefruit, lemon juice. If it’s too warm, it’s too blousy, too much fruit. Every winemaker is different. A lot of people ferment at 55 degrees.”
Cunningham also encouraged patrons to try the Gewurztraminer and one of his favorite sweet wines, the Muscat Canelli, this spring as they are available.
“A lot of people like a little sweeter wine,” he said. “The Muscat Canelli is a little sweet and slightly carbonated. It’s a wine that almost everyone can enjoy. It has a beautiful aroma that goes well with everything, like a picnic wine that works with sandwiches and fried chicken.”
Free the Cork Saturday included seven wineries around the greater Indianapolis area releasing new selections for spring. The Indy Wine Trail is hoping to gather public feedback and reaction to the event and the wines released, which vary from four months to two years in age.
All of the wines released on the Free the Cork day are in limited supply. Those interested may visit the website at IndyWineTrail.com to participate in further events or learn where to obtain each limitedrelease wine.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Chateau Thomas Winery released its 2011 Sauvignon Blanc wine for a limited time, as the venue took part in the Free the Cork statewide event this past Saturday. Bart Doan/Flyer photo
Discussion
A Saturday to ‘wine’ down
Free the Cork event highlights limited releases
- Local News
-
-
Main Street rocks for seventh straight year
Main Street in Speedway will be loud and proud for the seventh consecutive year when the annual Rockin’ on Main Street event runs from 5 to 11 p.m. this Friday.
-
Beacon of Hope hosting breakfast
Terry Moore, executive director of Beacon of Hope Center for Women, says $200 could save someone’s life.
-
Student hit by vehicle walking to school
A Ben Davis High School junior was reportedly struck by a vehicle while walking to school Monday morning just before 7:30.
-
City named in wrongful death suit
A family here is suing the City of Indianapolis, the Marion County Sheriff’s Department, and Sheriff’s Van transport driver Deputy Erich Gephart after an accident in October 2012 claimed the life of Adam McCarty.
-
Colts P.R.I.D.E. invades Danville South
Danville South Elementary School was named the winner of the Colts P.R.I.D.E. contest, hosted by h.h. gregg, after submitting a video that showed the school representing their P.R.I.D.E. (Play 60, Respect, Intelligent Decisions, Diet, Education).
-
County to host final public meeting on proposed park
Hendricks County Parks & Recreation now has one draft master plan for its newest public park. And residents have one opportunity left to offer input before officials make it final.
-
Indiana seventh in dog bite insurance claims
Ranking first in dog bites is a title that no community strives to attain. To help reduce the number of dog bites across America, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is offering Indiana residents concrete ways to help reduce the number of dog bites in their community during National Dog Bite Prevention Week.
-
St. Susanna School earns Indiana Four Star status
PLAINFIELD — The staff and students at St. Susanna School were thrilled to find out they reached Indiana Four Star designation by the Indiana Department of Education. Hendricks County schools have been earning this status for some time and now St. Susanna has the same bragging rights.
-
First step toward a rewrite of the criminal code is signed into law
Rep. Greg Steuerwald (R-Avon) said he was pleased to see years of hard work come to fruition this week as Gov. Mike Pence signed House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1006, a rewrite of Indiana Criminal Code, into law.
-
Local firm holds veteran information event
Roy Strong of Strong Financial Services in Brownsburg has been helping families who are transitioning into the health care environment, whether it is assisted living, nursing home care, memory care, or home care.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Main Street rocks for seventh straight year
Voters Could Elect LA's First Female Mayor
Huge Tornado Kills Dozens Near Oklahoma City
Raw: Rescuers Pull Tornado Survivors to Safety
Oklahoma Gov: 'Hearts Are Broken' After Tornado
Raw: Walking in a Flattened Okla. Neighborhood
Raw: Rescue Workers Search Oklahoma School
Raw: Witness Describes Scene After Okla. Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Massive Tornado in Oklahoma
Raw: House Burns After Massive Oklahoma Tornado
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma
Split-second Choice Ended With NY Student Dead
White House Backs 'Shield Law' for Media
Wave of Attacks Kills Scores in Iraq
Pug Life on Display at Wisconsin Festival
Company Promises to Make All Snail Mail Digital
Analyst: Tumblr Fills Void in Yahoo's Offerings
Commuters Face Delays After Conn. Train Accident
Raw: Swarm of Tornadoes Slams Plains
Raw: Fierce Bombing in Qusair, Syria
RAW: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado
