Jazz Kitchen Bourbon Dinner Mar. 14

Jazz Kitchen Bourbon Dinner. Image provided by the Jazz Kitchen and used with written permission.

Indy Connect Public Meetings Now Thru Mar. 14

IndyGo Bus. Photo courtesy of the IndyGo Web site, http://indygo.net/.

By Bob Burchfield, Editor
AroundIndy.com, LLC
http://aroundindy.com/

Indy Connect, central Indiana’s transportation initiative, is conducting a series of meetings at various locations around Indy to discuss the future of transit in our community. The first meeting was held last evening at the Fishers Train Station, which drew a sizable crowd to learn more about this issue. The next meeting is this evening, Feb. 27, at 6:30 p.m. at the University of Indianapolis.

Other meetings on the schedule include:

• Feb. 28 at the Julia Carson Government Center
• Mar. 5 at the Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation
• Mar. 6 at IndyGo Headquarters
• Mar. 7 at Carmel High School
• Mar. 12 at Irvington Middle School
• Mar. 13 at Eastwood Middle School
• Mar. 14 at Greenwood City Hall

You can view a video that elaborates on this initiative on our Home Page at http://aroundindy.com/index.php#indyconnect

All meetings are scheduled for 6:30 to 8 p.m., and the public is invited to take part in this important discussion by attending and participating in these meetings. For more information, visit http://indyconnect.org/pages/Stay-Connected/, or call 317-327-5431.

Easley Winery Wins in Florida Wine Competition

Jill Blume at the Florida State Fair International Wine Competition. Photo provided by Easley Winery and used with written permission.

Press Release
Easley Winery
http://www.easleywinery.com/

Reggae Blush, from Easley Winery’s best-selling Reggae Wines brand, has been awarded “Best Blush” and a Double Gold medal at the 2013 Florida State Fair International Wine Competition. The annual Tampa, Florida event included more than 1,000 entries from 31 states and 6 foreign countries.  Two participating judges in the competition were Hoosier natives: Jill Blume, Enology Specialist for the Purdue University Department of Food Science, and Purdue Ph.D. student Amanda Stewart. Ms. Blume has served as a judge in this event for the past nie years.

“The Florida State Fair International Wine Competition is one my favorites because of the hospitality of the people, the diversity of the wines, and the outcome of the results,” states Blume. “A crew of volunteers assembled wine entries from 31 states and six countries. This is the 25th year of the competition, my 9th year as judge, and by far one of the most comprehensive, well-organized, and oldest wine competitions in the U.S.  I look forward to judging all the sensorial exciting varieties, from muscadines to fruit wines.  The results reflect that great wines are being made from California to Iowa and Indiana to New York.  I am so thrilled about Reggae Blush winning ‘Best Blush’ at the Florida State Fair International Wine Competition; it truly elevates the quality and value for the consumer.”

Reggae Blush is crafted from the Catawba grape, known for its unique grapefruit and citrus flavors. Many of these grapes were harvested from Wahlman Vineyards in Jennings County, Indiana. This delicious, sweet blush wine is fermented much in the style of white wines at a cooler temperature to lock in the grape’s natural fruitiness. The result is a tropical scent, hints of citrus and smooth finish. Easley’s style of sweet blush was honored last year as well, earning a Double Gold at the 2012 Tasters Guild International Wine Competition.

Not to be outdone, three other wines under the Easley umbrella were also awarded gold medals. Reggae White, a crisp, sweet white blend comparable to moscato with hints of peach and apricot, joins its Reggae Blush counterpart with a gold medal. Kauffman’s Posey White and Kauffman’s 76 Brand, a semi-sweet white and semi-sweet red wine respectively, also earned gold. Easley began making Kauffman’s Wines when winemaker Jeff Martin continued the family legacy of his grandfather, the late Harley Kauffman of Posey County, Indiana. Family tradition holds an important place at Easley Winery, as second-generation owners Mark & Meredith Easley teach their three daughters the passion of winemaking.

Easley Winery is Indiana’s oldest family-owned winery and has been creating award-winning wines at its downtown Indianapolis winery facility since 1974. Easley encompasses three brands: Easley Wines, the family of varietal and traditional wines capturing elegance and quality; Reggae Wines, the fun and festive best-selling brand; and Kauffman’s Wines, a family legacy of wines from Easley Winemaker Jeff Martin.

Reggae Blush and Reggae White can be found at most major Indiana grocery and package liquor locations, including Kroger, Meijer, Marsh, Wal-Mart, CVS, Walgreens, Sam’s Club, Martin’s, Strack & Van Til and many more. Kauffman’s Posey White and Kauffman’s 76 Brand wines can be found at many southern Indiana Schnuck’s and Wesselman’s stores. All aforementioned wines can be sampled and purchased 7 days a week at Easley Winery in their downtown Indianapolis tasting room. For more information, visit EasleyWinery.com or MyReggaeWine.com for details.

For complete competition award listings, visit http://www.fgga.org/floridastatefair.html

14th Annual Ice Miller Indy Wine Fest, Mar. 1

Historic Union Station in Downtown Indianapolis is the site of this year’s Indy Wine Fest.
AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2013, all rights reserved.

Excerpted from
WFYI Press Release
http://www.wfyi.org/

The 14th annual Ice Miller Indy Wine Fest is scheduled for Friday, Mar. 1, 2013, 6-9 p.m., at historic Union Station, 123 West Louisiana Street, in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana.

Join WFYI Public Media at the Ice Miller Indy Wine Fest for a memorable evening of fine wine tasting, stimulating conversation and entertaining festivities at a new location this year – The Grand Hall in Union Station at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. This year’s festival will showcase a prestigious selection of international, national and Indiana vintages representing nearly three dozen wineries and vineyards. General admission tickets are $50 per person. The festival also boasts an exclusive Connoisseurs Area, where for $120 per ticket, wine enthusiasts will have additional balcony access to enjoy specialty wines and foods only available in the Connoisseurs Area.

Proceeds from the event will benefit WFYI Public Media’s programs and lifelong learning services.

Tickets are available at Kahn’s Fine Wine & Spirits locations. For more information, visit http://wfyi.org/winefest/WineFest.asp, or call 317-715-2009.

Things to do in Indianapolis, Feb. 25-Mar. 3, 2013

Chippendales at Belterra Casino, March 1. AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2012, all rights reserved.

Things to do in Indianapolis
February 25 to March 3, 2013

• 14th Annual Ice Miller Indy Wine Fest at Union Station
• Chris Tomlin in Concert at Bankers Life Fieldhouse
• Indiana Bandstand at the Indiana State Museum
• National Maple Syrup Festival in Jackson County
• Indiana Pacers NBA Basketball at Bankers Life Fieldhouse
• ‘Steel Magnolias’ at Carmel Community Playhouse
• Natalie McMaster Live at the Carmel Palladium
• Hairbangers Ball Live at the Vogue Nightclub
• Indiana Ice USHL Ice Hockey Home Games
• Chippendales Live at Belterra Casino

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