Akron Life December 2023

GOOD EATS

UNCORK ED

by Eric Van Sant and photos by Kaitlyn Murray

Firelands Winery Sandusky, Ohio

FIRELANDS ICE WINE Lush and balanced, this sweet dessert wine ($28.99) is a signa ture to the Great Lakes region, and it’s made from vidal grapes. To be classified as an ice wine, the grape clusters must be frozen naturally on the vine, harvested then pressed before they thaw. The result is a small amount of intense highly concentrated, vis cous nectar, so it’s sold in smaller bottles at a higher price. It has a sweet honey and apricot char acter and is perfect as an after dinner aperitif.

Founded in 1880, Firelands Winery is one of the oldest wineries in Ohio. Its name is derived from history. During the Revolutionary War, the Firelands region of Ohio was allotted to Connecticut citizens whose tling, the citizens retained their winemaking heritage. Firelands is now one of the largest wine producers in Ohio. It makes wine from vita vinifera grapes. Native to Europe, these grapes include cabernet sauvi gnon, chardonnay, pinot grigio, pinot noir, riesling and cabernet franc, among others. Firelands was the first winery in Ohio to plant pinot grigio, which has become one of its signature award-winning wines. For the estate wines, harvest ing starts in September as the grapes reach their peak ripeness. All estate fruit is hand-harvested with rigorous testing standards to ensure the highest qual ity. The whites are pressed in whole clusters while the reds are destemmed for fermentation. During fermentation, the whites are stored in cold tanks while the reds can warm up. All red wines and certain whites are placed in oak barrels to age. Here are some Firelands wines to enjoy this holiday season. homes were burned by the British. Upon reset

FIRELANDS PINOT GRIGIO

Made from pinot grigio grapes grown in Ohio, this dry wine ($10.99) is medium-bodied. It’s bright on the palate with full acidity. With notes of green apple and citrus, this pinot grigio is great with a charcuterie board and good friends.

FIRELANDS GEWURZTRAMINER

Traditionally a German grape varietal, the gewurztraminer grape also grows very well in the northeastern United States. Medium-bodied, this wine ($10.99) has subtle acidity and dryness with notes of lemon and honeysuckle. Sip it alongside sea food or spicy Asian fare.

Find these Firelands Winery wines at select Giant Eagle, Acme Fresh Market, Heinen’s and Discount Drug Mart locations.

[ Eric Van Sant is a sales manager at Heidelberg Distributing Co. ] Comments? Email them to Kelly Petryszyn [kpetryszyn@bakermediagroup.com].

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akronlife.com | DECEMBER 2023