By Joseph Knoop
Oliver Winery, the oldest and largest winery in Indiana, will debut its new “Bubblecraft” red and white wines this month, serving a sparkling new taste to Indiana wine enthusiasts looking to break out of the house for something new. For Hamilton and Boone Co. residents, a trip to Oliver Winery is a one-tank getaway to take this fall.
“Our winemaking philosopy is to make wines that capture the flavors of good fruit,” president and director of winemaking Bill Oliver said. “I’m really intrigued by the effect of carbon dioxide on flavors. I once had this chemist in a flavor lab get so fired up about it and it just made such an impression on me.”
Oliver describes the Bubblecraft sparkling wine as “lighter and charming” with a reduced sense of sweetness. One other major factor in the decision to move forward with Bubblecraft’s creation was the upswing in sparkling wine sales throughout the U.S. According to the Nielsen Company, sparkling wine sold six percent more than previous years in 2014, for sales totaling over $900 million.
Oliver Winery holds daily wine tastings and weekend tours of the facility and cellar, where visitors will be able to sample the Soft Red Bubblecraft, the Soft White Bubblecraft, and other wines for $5. Tours are free and provided every half hour.
Bubblecraft wine will be made available in nine states this fall, including Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. Both wines are being sold for $10.99 a bottle. For more, visit oliverwinery.com. Oliver Winery is at 8024 North State Road 37, Bloomington, Ind.