Ohio Agriculture Director Dorothy Pelanda honored four Ohio wine makers as Director's Choice recipients at an event held at the Statehouse for retailers, distributors, restaurateurs and winery owners.
Nearly 20 Ohio wines were evaluated by a panel of judges, including Director Pelanda, to select the best red, white and specialty wine made from Ohio-grown grapes. The 2022 award recipients are:
Best White Wine:
- Dragonfly Vineyards and Wine Cellars LaCrescent Curves, Urbana, Champaign County
- Maize Valley Reserve Blanc, Hartville, Stark County
- Best Red Wine:
- 2019 Bethany Ridge Chambourcin, Guysville, Athens County
- Best Dessert Wine:
- Kosicek Vineyards Vidal Blanc Ice Wine, Harpersfield, Ashtabula County
All of the Director's Choice award recipients are eligible for the Ohio Quality Wine designation. It was created in 2007 by the Ohio Grape Industries Committee and is assigned to wines made from at least 90 percent Ohio-grown grapes. These wines must also achieve at least 15 of 20 points on a sensory evaluation and pass a chemical analysis before receiving the quality seal.
The Ohio Grape Industries Committee is housed at the Ohio Department of Agriculture and provides wineries a means to market their top-quality wines to be recognized alongside well-known California and European wines.
Categories: Ohio, Government & Policy