Ohio wines named best in show

REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio — Seven Ohio wines earned a Best of Show designation at the 2012 Ohio Wine Competition in May.

The annual competition is coordinated by The Ohio State University’s Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center in Wooster and the Ohio Department of Agriculture‘s Ohio Grape Industries Committee.

The award-winning wines are:

Overall Best of Show: Raven’s Glenn Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007 American;

Best of Show White Wine: Ferrante Winery, Riesling, 2011 American;

Best of Show Red Wine: Raven’s Glenn Winery, Rosso Grande, 2009 American;

Best of Show Blush/Rose: Henke Wines, Cellar Blush, 2011 American;

Best of Show Fruit/Specialty Wine: Ferrante Winery, Raspberry Blanc Non-vintage American;

Best of Show Sparkling Wine: Meier’s Wine Cellars, Reiem Spumante, Non-vintage American;

Best of Show Dessert Wine: Breitenbach Wine Cellars, Solara Cream Sherry, Non-vintage, American.

Ohio has a strong tradition in grape and wine production, which started along the Ohio River near Cincinnati in the 1850s. Today, Ohio’s grape and wine production is an integral component of Ohio’s agriculture industry. It contributes nearly a half billion dollars to Ohio’s economy and accounts for more than 4,100 full-time jobs.