Best Ohio Wines in 2009

The best wines I have ever tasted come from my own hometown state of Ohio. Over the years, in my quest for a great wine, I searched far and wide only to be disappointed. After moving to the Dayton area back in July, I came upon a store in Oakwood called Arrow Wine and Spirits. I got a pleasant surprise that kept me going back for more. I have always enjoyed a good red wine, but could never find a white wine I really liked. So, in a recommendation from one of the employees, I purchased some white wines from Ohio and got just what I had been looking for. A white wine that I could finally live with!

The first wine I want to introduce is from The Winery at Versailles in Versailles, Ohio. It is called "Wedding White". Since I am in the middle of planning my own wedding, I thought I would give this one a shot. I wasn't sure what to expect because it was in a green bottle. I think that green bottles are always deceiving because it makes you think of Sprite or Ginger Ale, something with a little zip to it. I was curious so I bought it. I figured I couldn't pass it up for the generous price of $9.99. With that in mind, I popped the styrofoam cork and got a pleasant, light floral fragrance that reminded me of magnolias. It was so light and airy, and very smooth going down. There is no burn to this wine whatsoever. The label reads that it has a sweet start with a tart finish, but I didn't get that with this wine. It was a nice surprise since I have always struggled to find a white wine I like. On an enjoyment scale of one to five, this wine gets a five. This is a great wine that you can enjoy anytime, with any food. It was also nice to know that The Winery at Vesailles is only about twenty miles beyond Dayton, right on State Route 47 in Versailles, Ohio.

The second wine I want to introduce is from Valley Vineyards in Morrow, Ohio. It is the "Valley Blush". True to it's color it pours pink, and has a little bit more of a "wine" smell. You can see the true blush color right in the bottle, and of course I couldn't pass this up at the generous price of $8.99. With the pop of the cork, this wine presented a stronger scent. The taste was simple just at the tip of the tongue, then it "stingeth like an adder"! Just as the Bible recites in the book of Proverbs, this wine almost bites you because the contrast is so sudden and unexpected. This wine offers a little bit of "burn", so I suggest it with your favorite cheese, or a light brie cheese with raspberry preserves to absorb the tart flavor. Valley Vineyards has been around since 1970, and is owned by the Schucter Family.

The third wine I tried is from Vinoklet Winery in Loveland, Ohio. It is "La Dolce Vita". This wine pours a deep red, and from the pop of the cork is very strong. The fragrance is very strong and the taste is too tart for me. This wine is not for the faint of heart. This is probably one of the strongest red wines I have tried. This wine runs around
$12.99, and is something you want to pair with a pasta dish or a rich seafood dish. Vinoklet Winery has a beautiful landscape and offers the opportunity to have your wedding ceremony there as well. There is more to this vineyard than meets the eye. On my personal scale of enjoyment, I could only rate it a one, but that is because my taste is personally set to the sweeter red wines.

The fourth wine I tried is again from Valley Vineyards in Morrow, Ohio. This is the "American Niagara", which is another white wine. This one is labeled as a sweet white wine and rightfully so. At appearance of the bottle, it looks like liquid honey, and is tantalizing. This one gives the appearance of tasting sweet or too rich. At the pop of the cork, it's fragrant but does not reek of alcohol. This wine is very sweet, and was a great surprise for me. From my experience most white wines are very dry, but this one is simply phenomenal. When it pours, it is like liquid gold. All for the generous price of $7.99 it is a steal. The owners label doesn't do it justice. This is the best white wine I have ever had. On the enjoyment scale I give this wine a five.

Last but not least, my personal favorite on red wines hailing from the The Winery at Versailles, "Rodeo Red". This wine is without a doubt my favorite red wine from Ohio. This one I called "Grapetastic"! This one is rich and vibrant, and at the pop of the cork is like a bushel of red grapes right on your doorstep. It pours a vibrant red wine color, and is pleasant to smell. It has a little bit of alcohol in the fragrance, but you smell ore of the fruit. It is one you wish you could drink the night away with every night and is great with everything. This wine was at an unbelievable price of $8.99. I cannot believe the price these wines go for. I have tried a lot of wine from other countries and wonder how it gets a rave review. I have had Vintage wines that don't strike any chord with me whatsoever. On the enjoyment scale I give this wine a five. I definitely feel I will be paying a visit to the Winery at Versailles. Isn't it great to know that because I love it so much, this wine is only twenty miles outside of where I live? Buy Ohio wines, it will help you support the state you live in and you are sure to find the wine you love within arms reach.