FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE:
Congratulations to the winners of the First
Annual Ohio vs Michigan Wine Clash
(Columbus, Ohio
– November 19, 2008) Ahead of the legendary gridiron clash, wine lovers in Michigan and Ohio assembled to determine
whose wines would triumph in a head-to-head clash. The Slow Food chapters of Columbus and Huron Valley are pleased to congratulate
the winners:
- Sparkling Wine: Shady Lane Cellars Blanc de Blancs 2000 (MI)
- Aromatic
White: Ferrante “Golden Bunches”Riesling 2007 (OH)
- White Wine: Black Star Farms “Arcturos”
Chardonnay sur lie 2006 (MI)
- Pinot Noir: Black Star Farms “Arcturos” Pinot Noir 2006 (MI)
- Red
Wine: Kinkead Ridge Revelation 2006 (OH)
While the real winners are the consumers
of Michigan and Ohio who have an array of quality local wines to enjoy, these wines emerged as the MVPs for their respective
teams. “I would consider any of these winning wines to be on a par in quality to their peers from California and elsewhere,”
said organizer Andrew Hall, “and at very consumer-friendly prices.”
Both
Ohio and Michigan share a centuries-old tradition of viticulture which was wrecked by Prohibition but has re-emerged in recent
times. From the Ohio River Valley to the upper shores of Lake Michigan, growers and winemakers are working hard to create
unique and quality wines. In light of the growing concerns about the carbon footprint of transported products, this event
was created to showcase these local efforts and in the context of one of our storied local rivalry. On November 16th
and 17th, groups of judges convened in Ann Arbor and in Columbus to judge over 60 selected wines from Michigan
and Ohio. This is the first purely consumer-selected judging of wines in either state. It is also unique among competitions
in being limited to wines from grapes exclusively from those states.
“There
were a lot of good wines from both states,” commented one of the judges, “and I hope that people will give them
a chance. Restaurants and consumers are starting to care a lot about local produce and wines should follow.”
Slow Food Columbus sponsored this event as part of a ‘Drink Local’
campaign. On November 20th, the first annual celebration of this event, the top-rated Ohio wines were available
by the glass at Alana’s Restaurant in Columbus.
MVPs
(Gold Medal Winners)
Sparkling Wine: Shady Lane Cellars Blanc de Blancs 2000 (MI)
Aromatic White: Ferrante ‘Golden Bunches’ Riesling 2007 (OH)
White Wine: Black Star Farms ‘Arcturos’
Chardonnay sur lie 2006 (MI)
Pinot Noir: Black Star Farms ‘Arcturos’ Pinot Noir 2006 (MI)
Red Wine:
Kinkead Ridge Revelation 2006 (OH)
First Team (Honorable Mentions)
Ravenhurst Grande Cuvee NV (OH)
Forty Five North ‘45’ White 2007 (MI)
Ferrante ‘Signature’
Pinot Grigio 2006 (OH)
Meranda-Nixon Traminette 2006 (OH)
Firelands Pinot Grigio 2007 (OH)
Chateau Fontaine
Riesling 2007 (MI)
Chateau Fontaine Woodland White 2007 (MI)
River Village Cellars (Kinkead Ridge) Syrah 2006 (OH)
Black Star ‘Arcturos’ Cabernet Franc 2005 (MI)
Fenn Valley Capriccio NV (MI)
Wyncroft ‘Avonlea
Vineyard’ Pinot Noir 2006 (MI)
Wyncroft Shou 2005 (MI)
South River Cellars Karma 2005 (OH)
