Ohio

Lonz winery no longer exists as a winery (it is part of a park in the Lake Erie Islands), but at one time was the largest winery in the country!  The Lake Erie Islands are a summer time vacation and recreation spot (as well as the mainland coast).  This is a vacation wine meaning that it intended for people to buy while in the area and enjoying their vacation.  It is sold in and near the Lake Erie Islands in northwest Ohio.  This is self described as a white Zinfandel styled wine.  It is unclear what varietals are used to make it up (or even if it is 100% grapes).  Deep ruby in color.  The

This is a blend of French and American varietals made along the shores of Lake Erie near what is known as the Lake Erie Islands.  For those history fans, back in the 1800's, the Lake Erie Islands were on of the top wine producing regions in the country.  As recently as the 1930's it was rated as one of the top 5 along with Napa, Virginia, New York and Missouri.  Now the area is a summer vacation spot and due to the cold winters, late springs, hot summers, it can be a difficult place to make wine.  Mon Ami is a restaurant and a winery.  This is ruby/orange in color, deep and bright.  The nos

CLE Urban Winery is located in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.  They are essentially a wine bar that gets juice from California and other places and makes their own wine which is sold at the bar.  The labels feature different scenes of Cleveland.  This one features the brick street that is the heart of Cleveland's Italian community.  The wine is light golden in color.  The nose has tangerine and orange with a slight minerality.  On the palate, this is big and fruity.  Tangerine with some sweetness.  It is not deep but it has enough acidity to be refreshing.  While it does not have the minerality n

From the shores of Lake Erie in Northeastern Ohio, this is a serious attempt at a quality Riesling.  And they succeed.  Light green gold in color.  The nose has some lemon, slight peach and slight petrol (kind of young for this).  On the palate, this has some green apple and peach.  It seems just slightly off dry but that may just be the fruit.  Good acidity but not bracing.  Nice finish.  This retails for $24 and is fairly priced.  I doubt many would guess its origins correctly in a blind tasting.  It probably won't make old bones and should be drunk in the next few years I would think (bu

Ruby/Purple in color.  The wine is much tighter than the 2013 at this stage.  Not giving up a lot.  Cherries and spice on the nose.  Cherries on the palate.  Nice texture.  It seems like it has some stuffing but it will need time.  There is a chance at some upside here.  It's worth the risk to hold for a few years.  

Ohio actually has some of the longest wine making traditions in this country.  Prior to, and just after, Prohibition, the area along the southern shores of Lake Erie was one of the leading winemaking areas in the country.  These days, there are still many wineries producing many excellent whites and dessert wines, and the occasional quality red.  Most, however, follow the tourist model, often combining restaurants or Inns and providing entertainment in addition to serving their own wines.  The wine was from one of those.  That doesn't mean the wines are not good or worth buying.