respect for Ohio wines grows

The Ohio wine industry achieved confirmation of its place among accomplished wine-producing regions, proving competitive in quality and superior in value.

Wine experts from North America judged Ohio wines against wines from Europe and California. In 10 match-ups, an Ohio wine was judged in a blind tasting against a top-tier wine of comparable type, age and climate conditions at the first-ever Ohio Wine Challenge in Mayfield Heights June 12, 2006. When the results were tallied, Ohio wines had proven their competitiveness, winning three and nearly tying in five of seven other comparisons.

“The competition pairings were right on the money in terms of varietals, topicity and vintage,” said Jerald O’Kennard, director of the Beverage Tasting Institute in Chicago. “ Ohio has something very good going on in terms of commercial appeal and potential for sales. The quality of Ohio wines is there and it’s just waiting for people to discover.”

Agricultural officials were pleased with the results and the competition’s integrity.

The highly credentialed judges represented key areas of the wine industry, including restaurants, distributors, winemakers and aficionados: Matthew Citriglia, a Master Sommelier and fine wine sales director for an Ohio wine wholesaler; David McMahon, wine director and sommelier for Jason’s, a Columbus restaurant; O’Kennard of the Beverage Tasting Institute; and Sue-Ann Staff, winemaker for Pillitteri Estate Winery in Ontario, Canada.

One Ohio winery now has multiple reasons to celebrate. At the 25th Riverside International Wine Competition in California in May 2006, where more than 3,000 wines were judged, the 2005 Grand River Valley Golden Bunches, a dry Riesling from Ferrante Winery in Geneva was named best overall white wine. In this competition, it bested the 2004 Lietz Dragonstone Riesling, Rheingau, Germany.

For more information on the Ohio wine industry or to find an Ohio winery, visit www.TasteOhioWines.com or contact the Ohio Grape Industries Committee at 614-728-4216.

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