Carol's Favorite Wines from Ohio Wineries

Over the past five years we've found more people planning a weekend getaway around where they can visit or tour Ohio Wineries.  Many people don't realize that there are wines out there for every taste.   "A good wine is one that you like" is what one local winery owner told us.  As I have visited and tried wines I have gone from enjoying sweeter wines to preferring a dry wine.  While the following list shows my top picks, the wineries represented serve many types of wine from dessert wine to dry wine:

1. White October.  This wine is available from Ravens Glenn Winery.  It is similar to a Chardonnay but much better!  It goes great with everything from chicken to cheese to pasta but a chilled glass by itself is wonderful too.  It is made from Chardonel grapes and has won a Platinum Medal in 2010.
2. Cabernet Sauvignon.  My favorite Cabernet is also from Ravens Glenn Winery.  I love the oak undertones and the smoothness of this wine.  You'll pick up the taste of currants when you drink this wine.  It goes great with steak, pizza, and heavy cheese.
3. Chambourcin.  Al-Bi Winery on Atwood Lake makes this wine.  This is a dark, dry, red wine with oak undertones.
4. Ares.  This wine is made at Rainbow Hills Vineyards in Newcomerstown.  It is a dry red wine with flavors unlike typical dry red wines.
5. Festival.  Breitenbach Wine Cellars produces this wine.  It has a blend of 3 grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sangiovese.  This goes well with red meat or sharp cheeses.
6. Cabernet Sauvignon.  Another Cabernet that we like is from JC Wine Cellars in East Springfield.  It is located in an old auto repair garage and has a gourmet restaurant on site.  This wine goes well with meat and pasta.
7. Red Raspberry Wine.  This dessert wine is from Ravens Glenn Winery and goes down great with their Chocolate Zinfandel Cake from their restaurant.  I'm not usually a sweet wine drinker but there is a time and place for this wine ...the place is paired with chocolate.
8. Foreplay.  This wine is from Al-Bi Winery and is another dessert wine.  It combines a couple of berry flavors and is perfect for dessert or just sipping by itself.
9. Old Dusty Miller.  Breitenbach Winery makes this semi-dry wine.  It pairs well with seafood or salads.  It is also great for just sipping on a glass of wine.
10. Eclipse.  Winery at Perennial Vineyards makes this wine from a Chambourcin grape.  It goes great with their homemade pizza and Lappolito, which is one of the Grandmother's recipes.

You can drive your own vehicle around for wine tasting but why not grab a group of friends and stay at Garden Gate Get-A-Way Bed & Breakfast.  You can charter their tour bus and have a designated driver for all of your winery stops.  Ask about the dates for their planned wine tours.
Written by Carol Steffey, Garden Gate Get-A-Way Bed & Breakfast, Millersburg, Ohio (330) 674-7608 www.garden-gate.com