With Allen Dale 'Ole' Olson
April 28, 2010
The stereotype of a wine judge shows a solemn, studious older person, almost always a man, in deep thought while holding a half-filled glass to his nose. A more popular image would show the judge smiling in a euphoric state standing beside a table lined with emptied wine glasses. Both have elements of truth but neither is quite right, especially at the Indiana Wine Fair held at Story every April. Here the judges are serious, but not solemn. Men, but also women. Older and younger. But they are not wine professionals. None of them work in the wine trade. They are journalists, dentists, artists who have more than a passing interest in wine. Each of the five judges is what we call a knowledgeable consumer. They are charged with identifying wines in each category that would appeal to the typical wine customer. They are less concerned with layers of complexity, potential for aging, or specific grape variety than they are with mouth feel, flavor, and the overall appeal of the wines with respect to color, aroma, and finish. Watch the video to learn their impressions of the judging process and the wines they judge. Be sure to watch the video at top right featuring Dr. Allen Dale 'Ole' Olson at the Story Inn, Story, IN »
