Recently one of my favorite wine reviewers, the ever entertaining Gary Vaynerchuk, tasted three Willamette Pinots and as always provided some great notes.

In this episode of Wine Library TV Gary compares a California and French Chardonnay.  Enjoy!

The Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) of The Ohio State University hosted the 2010 Ohio Wine Competition between May 10-12 this year in Wooster. With over 230 entries in the competition, the ten judges handed out 5 Concordance Gold medals, 16 Gold medals, 63 Silver medals, and 74 Bronze medals.

Local wineries made remarkable achievements in all areas of the competition.

Photo credits by Brett Johnson

Henke Winery of Westwood won a total of nine medals, including the Concordance Gold for the “Best of Show for Red Wines” for the 2009 Henke Vin de Rouge.

Henke Winery also received a Gold medal for the 2009 Riesling, three silver medals for the 2008 Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, and Vendage a Trois, and four Bronze medals for the 2008 Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and the Seyval, and the 2009 Cellar Blush.

Valley Vineyards of Morrow won a total of thirteen medals including one Gold medal for the 2009 Cabernet Franc Rose, six Silver medals for the 2007 Seyval, the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Hillside Red, and Vidal Ice Wine, and the 2009 Vidal Blanc and Valley Blush, and six Bronze medals for the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2009 Traminette and Red Reflections, and the non-vintage Niagra, Pink Catawba, and Honey Mead.

Vinoklet of Cincinnati won four medals including three Silver medals for the non-vintage Brother Joe, Traminette Master Reserve, and the La Dolce Vita and a Bronze medal for the non-vintage Sunset Blush.

Meier’s Wine Cellars, Inc. of Silverton won a Silver medal for the non-vintage #44 Cream Sherry and two Bronze medals for the non-vintage Pink Catawba and Sangria for the total of three medals.

Well, it’s been an exhausting week and it’s nice to relax a bit and just write about something that really put a smile on my face tonight – a 2008 Kinkead Ridge Viognier/Roussanne blend.

On to the wine…this is a white from one of my favorite Ohio River Valley wineries that we picked up last weekend, and wow do I love it! I know Ron and Nancy out at Kinkead Ridge are very excited about this wine and after tasting it I understand why. This wine is SO refreshing and flavorful all at the same time – it made a wonderful pairing with our cajun shrimp and pasta alfredo tonight! It’s a 57% Viognier, 43% Roussanne blend and I detect a bit of honeysuckle on the nose in addition to the fruit forward aromas. In your mouth the wine has just a tinge of tingliness and I actually noticed a bit of spice, almost like ginger or something, again, in addition to the very flavorful fruit notes like orange and pear.

I’ve always been a big fan of Ron’s red wines such as his 2006 Revelation Red and before that the 2005 Syrah, but this white may actually be my favorite wine he has produced. The wine runs $15.95 a bottle and is well worth that. For a list of where to find Kinkead Ridge wines, click here. If you’re in the Southern Ohio area, I would really encourage you to visit Kinkead Ridge on a Saturday afternoon and check out all they have to offer. For me, tonight’s glass offered a nice relaxing break from some of the stress I’ve had the past week or so. Tentative plans are to head to Napa next week, so I should have plenty to blog about soon. Happy tasting all, hope you enjoy the first miracle!

You can read more of Aaron’s reviews at his blog, Enjoying the First Miracle.  You also find him on Twitter.

It’s been a long day and nothing sounds better right now than a nice glass of red wine to finally slow things down. Playing single parent tonight as the wife’s out of town, so decided to open one of my favorite local wines – a 2006 River Village Cellars Cabernet Franc from Kinkead Ridge.

Kinkead Ridge is a local winery located in Ripley, Ohio and run by a great couple named Ron and Nancy. Ron is dedicated to growing and producing French varietal grapes/wine that mirror European styles. I’ve been to his vineyard and I have to say it’s amazing. I would call Ron very Type A when it comes to managing his vines, they are impeccable. So on to this Cab Franc…

Kinkead Ridge released this wine under their 2nd lable of River Village Cellars, and this tells you a little something about how particular Ron is about his wines. The Cab Franc has won several medals in both domestic and international competitions and has been compared to wines at 3 or 4 times it’s price range. They offer the Franc at $12.95 a bottle and it’s well worth it.

As to my personal thoughts on the wine – the nose is interesting, a combination of earthy and smokey aromas hits me. It’s a very approachable wine, with a good balance of acidity and tannins allowing it to sit easily in your mouth. It’s flavors include a bit of spice as well as typical Cabernet Franc tastes. Overall, I highly enjoy this wine. I would strongly encourage you to check out Kinkead Ridge’s website and give them a visit when they open back up in the summer. Just tell them you enjoy the first miracle and heard they have some good wine!