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Ohio: Oldest Brand-New Appellation in America
by Clark Smith
July 24, 2009

The wine regions of Ohio have provided us with overwhelmingly convincing proof that their venerable status as world class players is well deserved. If your taste runs to classic vinifera wines of aromatic intensity and good acidity, I cannot name a region in the New or Old World which offers such varietal and stylistic diversity, whether you’re in search of a special collectible for your cellar or a jolly good drink that will amaze tonight’s guests.

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By 1860, the Catawba grape had risen to prominence in Ohio, and the state led the entire nation in wine production. It wasn’t just coincidence. First planted in the state by Nicholas Longworth in 1825, Catawba quickly caught on with consumers. American wines were fairly potent at the time and wine drinkers enjoyed the light, semi-sweet style of wine made from the grape. Longworth even used it to produce the country’s first 'champagne' – Sparkling Catawba. The history of winemaking here can actually be traced back to 1823. At that time, Longworth lived in the Ohio River Valley, with vineyards planted to the Alexander and Isabella grapes. It’s hard to imagine where the Ohio wine inidustry might be today if not for Prohibition, which wiped out essentially every vineyard in the state in the early part of the 20th century. With Prohibition now just a bad memory, more than 95 wineries again operate in the state, with more in the planning stages.

Current Feature

In the southern Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and Georgia vineyards are small and few, yet the establishment of the Upper Hiwassee Highlands could bring much more.  [>] continue


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Blue Book Taste Profiles for the Ohio State Appellation

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Quick Finds

Q: What are the most recognized grapes grown here?
Q: What wines are produced here?

The AppellationAmerica database identifies 173 wines labeled with the Ohio designation.

[>] see the complete Ohio Wine List.
Q: What wineries are based here ?
Q: What other wineries source fruit here ?
There are no other wineries that source fruit from this appellation
Q: What are the overlapping appellations ?

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Featured Wines

Markko Vineyard 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Select Reserve - Estate fruity, blackberries dark red; will cellar well. (2393 growing degree day season - 242 less then average - cool)
buy wine $33.00


Markko Vineyard 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve - Estate smooth, wild berries, cherries
buy wine $36.00

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Winery Sponsors

Winery sponsors of Appellation America’s coverage of the Ohio appellation.