REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio — Ohio winemakers were honored during a special event at the Statehouse for retailers, distributors, restaurateurs and winery owners.
Nearly 20 wines were evaluated by a panel of judges and Ohio Agriculture Director David T. Daniels presented the 2018 Director’s Choice award to the following recipients.
Best White Wine
2016 Riesling Reserve
Debonne Vineyards, Lake County.
Best Red Wine
2015 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Meranda-Nixon Winery, Brown County;
2014 Vin de Rouge
Henke Winery, Hamilton County
Best Dessert Wine
2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Ice Wine
Kosicek Vineyards, Ashtabula County.
Best Dessert Wine
Ohio Department of Agriculture Director David T. Daniels presents the Director’s Choice Award for the Best Dessert Wine. Pictured (l to r): Director David T. Daniels, Tony, Mauri, Anthony and Emma Kosicek and Rep. John Patterson.
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Best Dessert Wine
Ohio Department of Agriculture Director David T. Daniels presents the Director’s Choice Award for the Best Dessert Wine. Pictured (l to r): Director David T. Daniels, Tony, Mauri, Anthony and Emma Kosicek and Rep. John Patterson.
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Best Red Wine
Ohio Department of Agriculture Director David T. Daniels presents the Director’s Choice Award for the Best Red Wine. Pictured (l to r): Joe Henke, Director David T. Daniels and Jenny Hilton.
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Best Red Wine
Ohio Department of Agriculture Director David T. Daniels presents the Director’s Choice Award for the Best Red Wine. Pictured (l to r): Senator Joe Uecker, Director David T. Daniels, Maura, Austin, Seth and Elizabeth Meranda.
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Best White Wine
Ohio Department of Agriculture Director David T. Daniels presents the Director’s Choice Award for the Best White Wine. Pictured (l to r): Director David T. Daniels, Michael Harris and Tony Debevc of Debonné Vineyards.Quality wines
All of the Director’s Choice award recipients are eligible for the Ohio Quality Wine designation, 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.
In a separate ceremony, several Ohio wines were honored at the 2018 Ohio Wine Competition held May 8-9 at the Lodge at Geneva in Ashtabula County and conducted by Kent State University Ashtabula.
Overall Best of Show, Maize Valley Riesling; Best of Show Sparkling Wine, Meier’s Reiem Spumante; Best of Show White Wine, 2017 Ferrante Signature Series Pinot Grigio; Best of Show Red Wine, 2015 Fulton Grove Winery Syrah; Best of Show Blush Wine, Doughty Glen Laughing Blush; Best of Show Fruit Wine, Vinoklet Sweet Jackie; Best of Show Dessert Wine, 2016 Ferrante Vidal Blanc Ice Wine.
The Ohio Grape Industries Committee is housed at the Ohio Department of Agriculture and provides wineries a means to market their top-quality wines against well-known California and European wines.
To learn more about the program or for a complete list of Ohio Quality Wines, click here.
