Ohio Wine and Education
Of Appellations and Terroir
If you've studied your wine terminology, you know that the "appellation" on a wine label denotes the geographic origin of the grapes used to produce it. In order for a winery to feature an appellation on its label, 85 percent of the wine must be produced from grapes grown within the confines of the viticultural area.
Similarly, "terroir" [tare WARR] refers to the effect of soil, climate, and terrain, on the taste of wine produced in an area. Unique terroirs produce unique wines, and certain terroirs are better for growing certain types of grapes.
Ohio's soil and drainage are ideally suited for growing a variety of grapes, and its latitude is similar to that of the great wine-producing countries of Europe. Additionally, the fertile limestone soil and moderate temperatures along the Ohio River and Lake Erie result in an intensely flavored, excellent quality grape. In the United States, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), regulates appellations. Because of Ohio's unique growing areas, it boasts the following five recognized viticultural appellations:
Lake Erie Appellation
Includes grapes grown near the shores of Lake Erie in Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania.
Isle St. George and Grand River Valley
Two recognized appellations within The Lake Erie Appellation
Ohio River Valley Appellation
Borders the Ohio River from Wheeling, West Virginia to Cincinnati and continues on to Evansville, Indiana.
Loramie Creek Appellation
Bordered by Loramie and Tuttle Creeks as well as State Route 47 in Shelby County. The Loramie Creek appellation currently has no operating winery in its jurisdiction.
If you've studied your wine terminology, you know that the "appellation" on a wine label denotes the geographic origin of the grapes used to produce it. In order for a winery to feature an appellation on its label, 85 percent of the wine must be produced from grapes grown within the confines of the viticultural area.
Similarly, "terroir" [tare WARR] refers to the effect of soil, climate, and terrain, on the taste of wine produced in an area. Unique terroirs produce unique wines, and certain terroirs are better for growing certain types of grapes.
Ohio's soil and drainage are ideally suited for growing a variety of grapes, and its latitude is similar to that of the great wine-producing countries of Europe. Additionally, the fertile limestone soil and moderate temperatures along the Ohio River and Lake Erie result in an intensely flavored, excellent quality grape. In the United States, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), regulates appellations. Because of Ohio's unique growing areas, it boasts the following five recognized viticultural appellations:
Lake Erie Appellation
Includes grapes grown near the shores of Lake Erie in Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania.
Isle St. George and Grand River Valley
Two recognized appellations within The Lake Erie Appellation
Ohio River Valley Appellation
Borders the Ohio River from Wheeling, West Virginia to Cincinnati and continues on to Evansville, Indiana.
Loramie Creek Appellation
Bordered by Loramie and Tuttle Creeks as well as State Route 47 in Shelby County. The Loramie Creek appellation currently has no operating winery in its jurisdiction.