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Ohio is a diverse state from rolling hills to flat planes with each region offering a variety of interesting locations and things to do, see and experience.
Major wine producing
regions of Ohio
Some of these regions are part of a defined viticulture appellation, and others are not. They are grouped according to regions of Ohio that have developed a thriving winery business and can make for a pleasant weekend visit to several wineries in particular areas.
Did you ever wonder how much it costs to start a winery?
A small winery is really a miniature manufacturing plant, and manufacturing is very capital intensive.
The start up costs vary depending on the volume of wine you'd want to create during that initial startup. For example, a winery that would produce 5000 gallons of wine in the first year would cost about $250,000.
If you have a more ambitious goal of producing 15,000 gallons of wine, those start up costs would cost you a little more than a cool half million dollars. These prices assume that you already have some land suitable for growing grapes.
Ohio Quality Wines Seal of Approval
The purpose of the Seal of Approval is o help consumers know which Ohio wines have met the high-quality standards, a special label will be added to the bottles of the 41wines that passed the evaluation process. Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Robert J. Boggs said:
“This seal will provide an easy and reliable way for consumers, especially with limited wine knowledge, to choose a high-quality, locally-made wine that they can proudly serve.”
Ohio's Wines
In 1830 Ohio’s semi-sweet Catawba wine was the pinnacle of good taste and much sought after across the United States. When Eastern Europeans came to the Lake Erie shores they made the style of wine they were familiar with from native grapes and that wine was sweet to semi-sweet.
Today's Ohio winemakers produce more sophisticated European varietals from very dry to semi-sweet to meet higher expectations of modern consumers. These wines win awards all over the country including California competitions.
Ohio and most Eastern Section wine states are known as cool climate wine producers, as are wines from California, Germany and Italy. Ohio has 5 viticulture appellations determined by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms:
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Lake Erie Region: includes grapes grown near the shores of Lake Erie in Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania. This area also includes St. George, and Grand River Valley
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Grand River Valley is part of the Lake Erie Region
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Isle St. George (North Bass Island) is also part of the Lake Erie Region
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Ohio River Valley which borders the Ohio River from Wheeling, West Virginia to Cincinnati and continues on to Evansville, Indiana.
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Laramie Creek is in Shelby County, bordered by Loramie and Tuttle Creeks and State Route 47. Unfortunately, the Loramie Creek appellation currently has no operating winery in its jurisdiction.
These are the 5 distinct recognized regions in Ohio, but there are other winegrowers that grow grapes in Central Ohio, western Ohio, and areas not yet identified with their own Viticultural Appellation.
Ok, so what's a Viticultural Area?
That's an area that can grow grapes successfully, and, has distinguishable geographic features, say, an island, or the area next to Lake Erie or a particular valley.
Wine is one of life's simple pleasures meant to be shared. Ohio produces some high quality wines that we can be proud to have in our collection.
There are several essentials that can dramatically add to the enjoyment of any wine: serving at the correct temperature allows each type of wine to be at its optimum for flavor and aroma; serving the wine in the correct glass emphasizes a particular wine's characteristics.
When serving wine it is best served at the proper temperature
Champagne, Sparkling and Dessert Wines: 40°
Sauvinon Blanc, Pinot Griio Wines:
45 - 48°
Chardonnay, Chablis Wines: 48 - 52°
Pinot Noir Wines: 60 - 64°
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot,Shiraz Wines: 64 - 66°
Each wine has something unique to offer your senses. Wine glasses are carefully shaped to accentuate those defining qualities, directing wine to specific areas of the tongue and nose where they can be fully enjoyed.
Cabernet Sauvignon/Bordeaux Glasses
Their large, elongated bowl allows aromas to build before reaching the nose. The opening directs the wine to the front of the tongue where sweet receptors can better detect the fruit flavors.
Pinot Noir/Burgundy Glasses
Wide, shorter bowl offers more surface area, less distance for subtle aromas to reach the nose. Directs wine to the front of the mouth where the tongue can taste the fruit flavors and acids, and minimizes tannins.
Chardonnay/Chablis Glasses
Smaller bowl focuses the more delicate aromas. Less volume keeps wine at the proper serving temperature longer. Opening delivers wine to the front of the tongue for fruit flavors to be savored.
Sauvignon Blanc/Pinot Grigio Glasses
Narrower shape focuses the delicate aromas and delivers them straight to the nose; minimizes warming. Narrow opening targets wine to the fron and sides of the tongue where fruit flavors and tangy acidity are best enjoyed.
Sparkling Wine/Champagne Glasses
Slender flute shape maintains fizz and chill; allows taste buds to enjoy fruitiness and acidity.
Your Own Wine Tasting Party
Great company and food, wine always makes the party. Introducing friends to the joys of wine by organizing your own blind tasting is a great evening and it's easy to do.
Keep things manageable, limit your guest list to 10 - 14. Choose 4 - 6 wines for comparison. Select a them of the wines you will be tasting.
You might select the different Ohio Varietals, or the same wine in different price ranges.
