Delight in this medium-bodied red wine this November. We celebrate Chambourcin during this time each fall and rightfully so. The Chambourcin varietal is the second-most grown grape across the state. Not only is it enjoyed by seasoned wine enthusiasts, but also by new palates as an introductory red wine or transitioning to bolder wines for the colder weather.

This year’s 2022 Missouri Governor’s Cup was awarded to Stone Hill Winery’s 2020 Chambourcin. Last year’s 2021 Governor’s Cup was from the same winery but with the 2019 vintage.

Chambourcin is cherished for robust flavors and spices. Find notes of black cherry, plum, black pepper, toasty oak and earthy notes on the nose and palate. These flavors, accompanied by soft tannins and a smooth mouthfeel – it is easy to see why it is gold quality.

This varietal pairs well with your favorite fall activities like bonfires and tailgates. Sip on Chambourcin with smoked meats like pork loin, burgers and short ribs. Cook with it using wild game like venison to elevate your wine experience. Earthy flavors from vegetables like mushrooms bring unique notes forward. Create a cheese board with brie, camembert, walnuts, strawberries and fig jam for a full range of how this “gold” wine can pair. On the sweeter side, try Chambourcin with cobbler, chocolate cake or dark chocolate to bring the fruity plum, berry and cherry flavors in the wine forward.

Fill your glass with a Chambourcin this November and cheers to this popular and well-loved varietal! New to Missouri wine or Chambourcin? Let us know what you think by tagging us on social media with #missouriwine and @missouriwine.

Table settings can sound intimidating, but they aren’t meant to be overthought. Whether you are hosting or being hosted, this guide of casual to formal place settings will hopefully put your mind at ease and provide some meaning behind the madness. The way a table is displayed sets the tone for the duration of the meal and is most dependent on the food that will be enjoyed.

A casual dining setting is perhaps what many are most familiar with. This most casual form of a table setting is commonly used in restaurants, at banquets and luncheons and at-home dinner parties. The setting is intended for three courses which is often soup or salad, the main course and finished with a dessert.

A step above a casual place setting is a semi-formal setting. You will notice that it adds an additional wine glass and steak knife. This setting is designed for a level above your most casual place setting, but falls short of the extravagant formal place setting.

Finally, a formal place setting is an indication of a grand event. Be prepared for up to seven courses (hors d’oeuvre, soup, appetizer, salad, main course, dessert and mignardise) and a variety of wines from sparkling to dessert wine. When seated at the table, keep in mind “B-M-W”. This stands for Bread-Meal-Water which are placed left to right.

The next time you are hosting a fun dinner party, use this guide to help you add an elegant touch to the meal. Share with us on social media @missouriwine and #MissouriWines as you navigate the holiday season and encounter a variety of table settings.

Every Missouri wine country experience has a story to share. What better way to share than with capturing a picture! Whether it is a beautiful summer night, or your favorite wine in a glass surrounded by a memorable backdrop, the photos entered this year shared great Missouri wine experiences across the state.

In its second year, the Through the Glass Missouri Wine Photo Contest had many high-quality competitors. Seven finalists were selected by a judging committee. Social voting has now closed and our followers have decided the top photo. We would like to congratulate our winner Scott Rombach and his photo “From Grapes to Glass.”

Rombach, who also won our inaugural contest last year, captured this photo to bring attention to the hard work accomplished in the vineyards. Taken at Blumenhof Winery near Dutzow, Missouri, Rombach created this image to spark a conversation about the detail that goes into creating wine.

“Many people don’t realize all the hours of work and science that go into making the award-winning wines in Missouri,” Rombach says. “It’s amazing how they can turn the juice into a great bottle of wine.”

Rombach and his wife, Tonya, enjoy traveling across the state to visit wineries and even have their own backyard vineyard.  They each contribute content to their Rombach’s Missouri Winery Review Facebook page, as well as on Instagram at @mo_wine_couple. Scott creates art from wine barrels and enjoys woodworking projects.

Whether you visit wineries and vineyards, or enjoy your Missouri wine at home, continue to capture these moments. Next year’s photo contest accepts all kinds of beauty found in wine country, not just in the wine glass. Tag us in your travels on social media with @missouriwine and #missouriwine. Save your favorites you take in 2023 and enter next fall! Cheers and thanks to all who participated.