The Ohio State University v. Michigan college football game is arguably the biggest football clash in both states. Recently my friend has decided to put together a blind wine clash consisting of wines from both states.

Story adapted from an earlier published piece at www.supplewine.com

by Emma Criswell
published: 11 Nov 2009

As I sat down at the judges’ table, I noticed that in addition to being the only judge under 35, I was one of only two women on the 8-person Ohio half of the panel. I quickly realized what everyone means when they say wine is a man’s world.

The event was organized by my friend, Andrew Hall, who throws an Ohio/Michigan wine clash every year to coincide with a big football rivalry: Ohio State University and University of Michigan. Andrew contacts wineries from both Ohio and Michigan and selects 11 wines from each state (which matches the number of players on the field for each team in a football game) for a blind tasting. There are two legs of judging: one in Columbus, Ohio and the second in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Andrew then compiles the results from each tasting and averages them to determine a winner. The judging I participated in was held at the Twisted Vine wine shop in Columbus.

This was the first wine competition I was asked to judge. It was all very new to me, and it’s probably new to many of you as well. Here’s how it went. There were three flights of tastings: red, white and dessert. We judged on many different facets, such as color, aroma, bouquet, taste on the palate and finish. We totaled up the points for each wine, took notes and then came up with a first, second and third choice for each flight. At the end of the tasting, we picked our overall favorites, regardless of which flights they came from.

It’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it.

I must say I was very nervous and intimidated when I first arrived at the event. The other judges, who were all from out of town, were talking about various champagne brands and saying they were surprised that we could have them shipped to Ohio. It was an intimidating conversation to walk into, and I felt like I had no idea what I was doing there. However, once we got through the first flight of wines and began to discuss them, I noticed that most of the things I liked and disliked about the wines were similar to what the other judges pointed out. I gained the confidence I needed to give more input and to get to know the judges.

A few days after the event ended I read the press release announcing results from the clash, and I was very pleased to see that the wine that won the competition was also my personal favorite: Longview Winter Ice 2007 (Dessert Wine) Leelanau Peninsula MI. The wine was very well done; everything about it was outstanding, from the liqueur to the finish.

The Ohio leg of the wine clash was really incredible and was a wonderful experience. The whole event was very well planned and orchestrated with very intelligent judges. I hope to have the chance to take part in many more competitions like this in the future.  In the end, Michigan won the wine clash, but Ohio won the football game.

For the full 2009 Ohio vs Michigan Wine Clash results, click here.

I had been wondering about what wine to have at my Halloween get together when my friend Katie emailed and invited me to a “Hallowine” tasting she was holding at her house. I thought this was an awesome idea and was very excited to attend. The event was very well organized and the theme was flawless as per Katie’s style and we had eight wines to taste with various candies.

Whites were paired with sweet and fruity candies such as chardonnay with candy corn and savignon blanc with apples and caramel candy apple dip. That dip was delicious and paired well with all the whites. It consisted of cream cheese with brown sugar, caramel sauce, and crushed heath bars.

The reds were paired with chocolates; shiraz with Kit Kats, cab with dark chocolate, etc. and the dessert wines like moscato were paired with nutty candies like a Snickers bar. The moscato and Snickers was my favorite pairing. The nuttiness of the candy and chocolate played well upon the sweetness of the moscato leaving the wonderful bubbles on the palate. I normally can’t enjoy too much moscato because of its sweetness, but this candy and wine pairing was the perfect sweetness. All of the wines served are sold exclusively through The Traveling Vineyard. If you would like to find any here is the link to Katie’s site: http://www.myttv.com/Katie9301

I followed this pairing list at my own Halloween get together, however, my friends aren’t avid wine connoisseurs like me, so I only opened two bottles: a moscato and a pinot noir. We paired them with Snickers, Heath bars, caramel apple dip, and a pepperoni pizza. This gives me a toothache to read, but we had a great time. Thanks to my friend Katie Corrigan-Seeman, who is also a wine consultant for The Traveling Vineyard– for coming up with this idea and allowing me to use it. Happy Hallo-Wine!!

caramel candy apple dip in ghost trays!