Cincinnati International Wine Festival 2009

What a great time! Over 130 wineries represented at this annual event. The buzz is almost gone after sampling over two dozen wineries from all over the world. I hated to do the swirl, sniff, swig and spit routine, but I would have never been able to get around to the 16 wineries I selected to taste if I didn't. There are only two hours in each Grand Tasting to wind your way through the local convention center and taste wines from the Meeker Winery, Coppola, Mondavi, Moet Hennessy, Fess Parker, Banfi, Louis Martini, Blackstone, Berringer, Wente, Meranda-Nixon, Valley Vineyards, Vinoklet and so many more.

I was intent on tasting the few Ohio wineries present with some excellent wines. I know what you're thinking. Ohio? Wines? Didn't know they had any. Or "Those wines are too sweet". Yes, Ohio built a reputation for sweet wines over the years because that's the kind of grapes that grew here and sold here for so many years based on Northern European and German varieties. Today there are white Ice Wines that are world class coming from this state. There are also French hybrids and other reds that grow especially well in the southern parts of the state (Ohio River Valley Appellation) that are every bit as well crafted as those available elsewhere in the US.

Some highlights for me were the Valley Vineyards 2007 Ice Wine, made form the Vidal Blanc grape, one of my favorites of theirs is the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon (2005 Cabernet Franc is my very favorite), Other standouts for me were the Marquis Philips S2 Cabernet Sauvinon 2004, very flavorful and a "knock you down" red with lots of smokey oak and tannins. Mondavi's 2006 Solaire cab was a little reserved for a Cab, nice smooth plum and raspberry notes with a "grassy" nose to me. I also had a 2006 Natura Carmenere from the Colchagua Valley in Chile that was a very nice red with a smooth nature and big taste with some chocolate in the background.

Another Ohio wine is from the small Meranda-Nixon winery that is Seth Meranda's 2007 Cabernet Sauvingnon that needs a bit of air to expand to its full taste and a blend he calls Red Oak that is from DeChaunac grapes and is smooth and pleasant with raspberry tones.

Yes, we are in a recession, but there were many hundreds of wine lovers in this one two hour tasting. The festival has three Grand Tastings and over 6000 wine aficionados and curious normally attend. Salut!