Here come the farmers!
It's almost that time again, yep, farmer's market. My favorite time of the year, taking the afternoon, going to the market, buying fresh, straight from the farm veggies and then cooking them for dinner. The best meals come from farmer's market fresh produce!
Here are some of my favorite markets and a little information about each:
Indianapolis City Market
222 E. Market St.
Every Wednesday, from 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., more than 50 farmers gather together on Market Street, between Delaware and Alabama) to offer downtowners fresh fruits and vegetables, potted plants, floral arrangements, baked goods and live music. This is one of the larger farmer’s markets in town, and it makes for a great afternoon adventure. Be sure to stop by the Hobbit’s booth to try some of her homemade oils and vinegars.
Broad Ripple Village Farmer’s Market
Indianapolis Art Center
There is a new reason to wake up Saturday mornings. From 7:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., local farmers gather in Broad Ripple to offer their products and farm fresh items. A bit smaller than City Market, the Village Market brings in about 25 booths, including Judy Schad’s fresh goat cheese. It may be early in the morning, but the market is next door to Einstein’s Bagels, so a hot cup of coffee is never far away.
Trader’s Point Green
9101 Moore Rd, Zionsville
This is a small market, usually with only 15 producers, but they are selectively chosen, and they gather every Friday from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. This market only allows small-scale farms that are certified organic or pledge not to use synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, antibiotics or hormones. These farmers offer fruits, vegetables, dairy products, pasture-raised meats and other specialty items. Trader’s Point also offers shoppers the option of grabbing some dinner while shopping, with a menu constructed of fresh, local and organic fare.
Carmel Farmer’s Market
Carmel Civic Square
Another one of the larger gatherings, every Saturday morning from 7:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., more than 40 vendors gather in Carmel with their produce, baked goods, meats, flowers and dairy products. There is usually live music, which makes this market one of the more popular ones, and it is always packed. The one down side – you have to leave your pets at home.
Farmer’s Market at the Barn
1201 E. 38th St. (Center for Agriculture Science & Heritage)
Although this is usually a small gathering, about 15 vendors, and it has most of the same products as the rest, this market has something unique. Saturday mornings, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., the farmers gather together with their , fruits, vegetables, plants, herbs and baked goods, a few even bring homemade crafts and soaps, but the real fun is the food demonstrations. Every week, a guest chef comes to teach shoppers new and exciting ways to prepare the produce they are taking home that afternoon.
WFYI’s Sixth Annual Indy Wine Fest
A couple of weeks ago, I had the unique pleasure of attending WFYI’s Sixth Annual Indy Wine Fest at the Indiana Roof Ballroom. Along with a couple hundred people, I was offered samples of nearly 400 wines. Even I am not capable of trying that many wines, but I was able to try a great many of them.
As I went along, I asked questions, took notes and even went back for seconds so that I would be able to share with you some of my favorites of the night. There were so many wonderful wines; it was hard to narrow it down. Like the 2002, Brancaia “IL Blu” for $69.95, or the 2002, Telegraphe Chateauneuf-du-Pape for $36.95. Both are wonderful wines, and both are very pricey.
Therefore, I offer you my “Top 10 under $20.” I hope you find a few you enjoy!
2002, Vinum Africa Cabernet Sauvignon, $13.95
Stellenbosch, South Africa
This rich, spicy wine is smooth on the palate, with scents of cherry and mocha. They age this wine in oak, which adds a subtle earthy flavor. Vinum combines the techniques of the “old world” with the new to create a unique blend of spice and fruit. Perfect with any red meat or pasta dish, this wine is a steal at its price.
2003, Red Knot Shiraz, $13.95
McLaren Vale, Australia
Red Knot offers the taste buds an intense, leathery wine in the form of their 2003 Shiraz. This robust wine is full of fruit and spice with hints of herbs, chocolate and oak while it smells of blackberries and toasted oak. The finish is a bit intense, but this is the perfect wine to enjoy on a cold night.
Bradgate Chenin Blanc/Sauvignon Blanc, $8.95
Stellenbosch, South Africa
By combining the citrus of Sauvignon Blac with the richness of Chenin Blac, Bradgate has created a delightfully fresh everyday wine. The balance of flavors between these varietals is perfect – the intense grassy Sauvignon and the tropical Chenin. This wine has strong scents of pear and fig, and is crisp and elegant. Perfect with grilled chicken and fish, this wine is one to enjoy.
2003, Montes Cabernet Sauvignon, $11.95
Colchagua Valley, Chile
This full-bodied Cabernet is bold, rich and beaming with tannins. It blends currants and cherries, with hints of vanilla, oak and caramel. It is aged for 6 months in American oak barrels, which adds even more complexity to the already deep flavor. Montes created a rich and engaging wine that is well balanced with firm tannins and smooth spice.
2003, Cline “Red Truck” White, $9.95
Sonoma, California
Cline Vineyards has created a delicious blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Marsanne and Rousanne. The result is a clean, refreshing and flavorful wine. The citrus flavors help add a delicate and bright flavor, highlighted with crisp green apple and fig. This wine is easily paired with almost any dish because of its variety of flavors and scents. For less than $10.00 a bottle, this wine is a must have in the cellar.
2003, Pepperwood Grove Viognier, $8.95
Sonoma, California
Viognier is typically considered a sweet wine, but if made correctly, it is actually clean, crisp and aromatic. Pepperwood has made such a wine, adding hints of peach, clove and passion fruit. It is lively and smooth, but slightly acidic. This is the ideal wine to enjoy on a hot summer day, or to pair with salads and fruit.
2002, Los Vascos Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, $17.95
Colchagua Valley, Chile
This supple, earthy wine is truly a classic. A strong presence of cedar and red currant flavors create this rich, full-bodied and spicy wine. This is an extremely heavy wine, full of cherry and currant, while it leaves a velvety feeling on the tongue. Although this bottle is priced around $20.00, it tastes like it should cost around $50.00.
2003, Red Bicyclette Syrah, $8.95
Vin de Pays, France
This label is a new addition to the United States, only arriving from France in the past year. It is true to its varietals, offering layers of succulent fruit flavors. A smooth, heacy and spicy red wine, with traces of jam and cassis, this wine is absolutely enchanting. At less than $9.00 a bottle, who can resist?
2002, Mason Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley, $16.95
Napa Valley, California
Sauvignon Blanc is rapidly becoming the new Chardonnay in the United States. Mason has created a nice medium between the two. Offering the intense apple and grapefruit that Sauvignon Blanc is known for, this wine adds the sweetness of fruit and oak which is more commonly associated with Chardonnay. The acidity is kept to a minimum, but the crispness isn’t sacrificed in that effort. It is perfect with spicy foods or to just enjoy on its own.
2002 Concha Y Toro Marques de Casa Cabernet, $14.95
Maipo Valley, Chile
This Cabernet has an intense bouquet of cherry, chocolate, tar and smoke, but still maintains a smooth, silky texture. It is very full-bodied and concentrated and has a long finish. Aged in French Oak, this wine is exactly what we have come to expect from Chilean wines – bold, intense and spicy. The other varietals from Concha y Toro are worth looking at as well.
As printed in The Sagamore.
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