Indiana Wine Grape Council to sponsor wine and food festival

"This year there are 18 wineries participating, which is more than last year," said Jeanette Merritt, a wine marketing specialist in Purdue's Department of Food Sciences.

Now in its seventh year, visitors will have their pick of more than 100 different award-winning wines during the festival. Merritt said the event is expected to attract more than 10,000 people this year.

Among the sessions at the festival, at noon representatives of the Turkey Market Development Council will demonstrate how to prepare turkey meat and what wines to have with the dishes. At 1:30 p.m. Marsh Supermarket will sponsor cooking demonstrations along with wine. During another session at 3 p.m., seven Indiana wineries will set up a wine tasting event focusing on wines from south central and southern Indiana. The last session is at 4 p.m. and will be hosted by Mallow Run Winery, one of Indiana's newest wineries.

There will also be food available from many of Indiana's top culinary experts along with restaurants including Acropolis Greek restaurant, Bazbeaux Pizza, Ben & Jerry's, Big G's BBQ, Glodo's Original Kettle Korn, Dippin' Dots and the Junior Chapter of the American Culinary Federation.

Along with food from restaurants, the festival will offer a farmers market with fresh produce including eggs, strawberries, honey and watermelon, Merritt said.

"The farmers market is going on for the second year because of the success we had last year," she said. "It's nice because you can buy produce right there."

Musicians will play live throughout the event. There also will be art vendors and a Kid Zone offering interactive fun for children.

Tickets are available online, at any Marsh Supermarket starting May 1 and at the event. For adults older than 21, advance tickets are $17 or $20 at the gate. Children 5 and under are free; ages 6 to 20 are $5. Tickets for designated drivers are $10. The first 10,000 people admitted will receive an etched wine glass.

The council is also seeking volunteers. After serving a three-hour shift, volunteers will receive a free T-shirt, admission to the festival, a wine glass that can be used after their shift is over and non-alcoholic beverages.

For information, visit the web site or e-mail Merritt at jkmerritt@purdue.edu.

Writer: Chelsea Carter, 765/ 494-8402, carterc@purdue.edu

Source: Jeanette Merritt, 765/496-3842, jkmerritt@purdue.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
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