Pop the Top on Canned Missouri Wine

May 12, 2020

Canned wine – what once was a novel idea has become more mainstream and continues to grow in popularity among wine consumers. Several Missouri wineries now offer a select number of their wines in a convenient can. This smaller container is easier to transport than its glass counterpart and won’t break if it slips out of your hand. These smaller servings are great to mix and match.

*The following information was collected from wineries that responded to a survey and may not be a representation of all the canned wines available in the state.

KC Wineworks

KC Wineworks debuted their Show Me Sangria in August 2018. The winery’s white wine-based sangria features Missouri grapes with natural fruit juices and zero added sugar. The sangria is pasteurized and shelf-stable.

Les Bourgeois Vineyards

Les Bourgeois Vineyards cans two of their most popular wines, Riverboat Red and Riverboat White. Available for a limited time, the winery’s red wine features a tantalizing concord blend with aromas of raspberry and cherry, while their white wine has a bouquet of honeysuckle and hints of honeydew and lush tropical fruit. The winery has also started to offer their longtime favorite, Captain’s Coolers, in a can. Reminisce your favorite A-Frame memories at home with their Bonfire Berry or Citrus Cruise.

Pirtle Winery

  

Pirtle Winery offers a few favorites in a convenient 4-pack: Weston Bend White, a semi-dry blend that is light, fragrant and fruity; Weston Bend Rosé, a crisp and refreshing semi-dry favorite; and their bestseller, Mellow Red, a semi-sweet red blend that is soft and fruity. The winery plans to can their hard cider later this spring.

Shawnee Bluff Winery

Shawnee Bluff Winery offers two canned wines including their sweet rosé. A canned wine is the perfect addition to a lake view sunset or for an upbeat concert at their vineyard location.

St. James Winery


Photo courtesy of St. James Winery

St. James Winery recently added several canned wine options to their list. Included are sparkling versions of their internationally awarded 100% fruit wines. There are four flavors to choose from: Blackberry, Peach, Strawberry and Mango. Each one is sweet, effervescent and made with no added colors or flavors. Visitors will also have the opportunity to purchase canned dry rosé when in the tasting room.

So, pop the top on canned wine from these wineries in the Show-Me State. You might just find a new favorite!

Pineapple Joy

May 01, 2020

Who couldn’t use a little liquid joy these days? This colorful delight will brighten up your happy hour this week. Be sure to include these simple ingredients to your next online grocery order.

Serving size: Party of One

Ingredients:

2 oz Pineapple juice
2 oz Missouri white wine
2 oz Rum
Splash of lemon lime or club soda
Lime wedge - squeezed
Pineapple
Strawberries

Directions:

Combine equal parts pineapple juice, wine and rum in beverage shaker. We used Vidal Blanc but Vignoles would also be a great choice. If these two wines aren’t a staple in your wine rack, many Missouri wineries are offering fabulous shipping deals. Squeeze a wedge of lime into the mixture, add ice and shake out your frustrations. Pour the concoction into a glass, drop in whatever tropical fruit you have on hand and top off with a splash of Sprite. 

This is the perfect addition for your beach themed staycation!

Pro tip: You can use the juice from canned pineapple in a pinch.

Mother's Day DIY Gift Guide

April 29, 2020

It’s impossible for thank our mothers for everything they do for us, but Mother's Day is a great opportunity to show our gratitude. If your mom is a Missouri wine fan, here are some wonderful DIY gift ideas she’ll adore. After all, handmade gifts have a special place in a mother’s heart, right?

For the moms out there who love to sit outside and soak in the fresh air, make a set of wine bottle Tiki Torches.

Mothers' Day DIY Gift Ideas from Missouri Wines - Tiki Torches

This DIY wine rack is an easy project that is perfect for the Missouri wine loving mom!

For the more experienced crafters, this wine bottle table would be a welcome gift in any mother’s home.

Mothers' Day DIY Gift Ideas from Missouri Wines - Wine Bottle Table

Wine bottle wall mounted vases are perfect for the moms who are avid gardeners. They’re a beautiful way to display flowers.

Mothers' Day DIY Gift Ideas from Missouri Wines - Wall Mounted Wine Bottle Vases

If your mother is a big reader or maybe even a writer, she’ll love a handmade wine cork letter or symbol like this cool ampersand.  

Here’s to all the moms out there. Cheers! 

Butterscotch Blondies with Chardonel

April 24, 2020

You don’t need to be a master chef to bake these delicious blondies filled with cashews, butterscotch chips and, the best part, wine! It’s the perfect blend of salty and sweet and will have your friends and family saying “more please.”

Yields: 12 servings | Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 55 minutes

Ingredients

1/2 lb (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
2 cups packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup chardonel
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1 cup butterscotch chips
1 cup roasted salted cashews, chopped
1 tsp flaky sea salt

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9-x-13-inch baking pan with aluminum foil so that it extends up the sides. Spray with nonstick spray.
2. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, vanilla and chardonel (don’t be concerned about the consistency change). Next, beat in the flour, baking powder and kosher salt.
3. With a large spoon, stir in the butterscotch chips and chopped cashews.
4. Spread the batter evenly into your prepared pan and lightly sprinkle the flaky sea salt on top. Bake for about 35 to 40 minutes. The edges should be golden-brown and the center will have set.

Give your blondies time to cool before cutting into them. If you’ve got some leftover, store them in a covered container at room temperature.  

Earth Day DIY Inspiration

April 22, 2020

April 22nd is Earth Day, and it’s the perfect time to take stock of what we can all do to be more eco-conscious. As wine-lovers we can do our part by reusing and recycling our wine bottles and corks, and it doesn’t have to be a chore. Upcycling can be fun and useful with these DIY ideas. 

  • Wine Bottle Chandelier – Brighten up any space with this super cool, customizable wine bottle chandelier!
  • Centerpiece – Wine bottles make great vases with minimal muss or fuss. Clean off the labels, fill with water, and you’re all set for a great mantle piece or centerpiece for your table. 
  • Modular Shelves – This DIY project is a bit more involved than some, but the end result is worth the effort! 
  • Wine Bottle Lamp – Talk about the perfect gift! Make this unique lamp for friends and family for a gift you know they’ll love. 

There are tons of great cork DIY ideas, but you can also recycle cork through programs like ReCork and Cork Reharvest. Cork is a renewable, recyclable material; let’s all do our part. 

Cheers to Earth Day and being eco-conscious wine-lovers! 

Going Green in MO Wine Country with Jowler Creek Winery

April 22, 2020

Going Green in MO Wine Country with Jowler Creek Winery: Electric cars can be spotted delivering wine to retail outlets and attending area events.

Spring is a time of new life and growth. It makes sense that it’s a time when we think more about the Earth and our impact on it. Most Missouri wineries and vineyards make efforts to be sustainable and treat the land with respect, but one winery in particular has made “being green” a cornerstone of their business from the very beginning and continues to strive for sustainability as they grow, Jowler Creek Winery.

Colleen and Jason Gerke opened Jowler Creek Winery in Platte City in 2006 with the desire and intention of creating a business that would thrive for generations to come. From the beginning, the Gerkes took sustainability seriously. Their business strategy involved continuous improvements and operating more efficiently each year, with the overarching goal of being carbon neutral.
Going Green in MO Wine Country with Jowler Creek Winery: A flock of sheep "mow" the vineyards for weed control.

The winery employs a long list of sustainable practices ranging from the use of solar power, to composting and recycling. On the property, you’ll find a whole team of nature’s helpers as well… sheep “mowing” in the vineyards, bat houses and free-range chickens to help control pests, a honey bee colony and even a native-plant butterfly garden. You may also spot Jowler Creek Winery eco-friendly vehicles out and about delivering wine to local retail shops and attending area events.

In 2017, Jowler Creek Winery was the first Missouri winery to receive ASAP certification. The Missouri Agricultural Stewardship Assurance Program (ASAP) is a verification program that champions Missouri farmers who are responsible stewards of the land. It’s meant to acknowledge and reward those who proactively protect the environment, employ sound management practices and use science-based technology to produce safe food, fuel and fiber for consumers. Since then, several other vineyards have also received the certification, including Augusta Winery and St. James Winery.

Wineries aren’t the only ones who can go green. Colleen has some great advice for wine-lovers who want to help out. “Being green is about making choices that have a positive impact on your environment and community,” she says. “From purchasing your wine from the local winery down the road to recycling your finished wine bottles and corks, there are lots of little decisions you can make each day to be green that will have a big impact over time.” 

Today, Jowler Creek is owned and run by Jason and Kit Lacy, Kansas City siblings. With their families, they now manage more than 3,500 grapevines in its 7-acre sustainable vineyard and makes nine award-winning wines in various styles ranging from dry to sweet. They continue to maintain Jowler Creek’s focus on green and sustainable production, methods and quality.

Next time you’re in the Kansas City area, be sure to visit Jowler Creek Winery and learn even more about their green practices by taking a Self-Guided Eco Tour around the property.

Cheers to a sustainable Missouri wine country and lots of great, award-winning local wine for years to come! 

Wine in the Kitchen

April 20, 2020

While people often think about pouring a glass of their favorite wine to enjoy on the front porch or with their special someone over a meal, there are a variety of other ways to use wine in the kitchen. Some of which include adding an extra kick of flavor to replacing ingredients you don't have on hand.

Chefs frequently use wine as a cooking liquid, flavoring or in marinades. Here are a few fun ways to incorporate wine into your menu.

Pork
Pomegranate Pork
Smokin’ Berry Pork Loin
Red Wine Pork Medallions
Sage Pork Tenderloin

Beef

Beef Kabobs
Bacon Wrapped Filets
Red Wine Beef Stew

Pasta

White Wine Shrimp Linguine
Red Wine Pasta
Vidal Pasta Primavera

Chicken

Chicken + MO Wine
Rosemary Butter Sauce Pasta
Transform your Chicken

Veggies

Slow Cooker Chambourcin Mushrooms

Fruit

Grilled Marinated Fruit
New Take on Cranberry
Peach Vignoles Trifle
Mini Fruit Tarts

Sauces

Get Saucy with Missouri Wine
MO Wine Condiments
Vidal Blanc Mustard BBQ Sauce

Desserts

Three Ingredient Ice Cream
Baking Tips
MO Wine Brownies
Wine Popsicles

For more tips and ideas visit our website.

 

Spring Quarantine Cleaning: Glassware

April 10, 2020

Pouring delicious Missouri wine into a smudged glass is a major bummer. Don't forget to add glassware to your spring quarantine cleaning list! Below are some tips to ensure an odor-free, gleaming wine glass.

Remember to handle glassware carefully. Slower is better and even when they feel sturdy, wine glasses are very fragile. Avoid a possible injury by handling your glass gently in every step.

What you will need:
Clean wine glasses
Microfiber cloth (won’t leave fuzz or odor)
Steam
Pot or bowl

The first step is to fill a pot or large bowl with hot, not boiling, steaming water. Grab your wine glass by the stem and hold above the hot water at an angle. The glass should not touch the water or become wet.

Once the inside of the wine glass is steamy, begin to gently polish with your cloth. This will not require a lot of pressure.

Repeat step one by placing the glass back in the steam, and steaming the exterior. Gently polish. The same steps will be taken to polish the base of the wine glass: and, as for the stem, wipe down a few times and you’re done.

Be sure to show off your beautifully polished wine glasses on your next video chat!

Rosé Quarantini

April 09, 2020

Now that spring has sprung it’s time our beverages start sporting brighter colors to match. No need to grocery shop, this easy to make “Quarantini” incorporates many ingredients you may already have at home. Treat yourself to an afternoon on the back deck with this quick delicious infusion. 

Servings: 1 (Can be multiplied for Quarantine Crews up to 10)

Ingredients 
2 oz Dry Rosé
1 oz Gin
1 oz Lemon Juice 
1/4 oz Lime Juice
1/2 oz Club or Lemon-Lime Soda
Frozen fruit garnish (optional)

Combine the rosé, gin, lemon and lime juice in a shaker. Use freshly squeezed juice if you have lemons or limes on hand. Add ice and shake to your heart’s content. (30 seconds or less should do the trick!) Pour the mixture over ice and top off with a splash of club or lemon-lime soda. Garnish with your choice of frozen fruit. Enjoy this outside while pretending you are at your favorite Missouri winery! 

Rosé Quarantini

April 09, 2020



Now that spring has sprung it’s time our beverages start sporting brighter colors to match. No need to grocery shop, this easy to make “Quarantini” incorporates many ingredients you may already have at home. Treat yourself to an afternoon on the back deck with this quick delicious infusion. 

Servings: 1 (Can be multiplied for Quarantine Crews up to 10)

Ingredients 

  • 2 oz Dry Rosé
  • 1 oz Gin
  • 1 oz Lemon Juice 
  • 1/4 oz Lime Juice
  • 1/2 oz Club or Lemon-Lime Soda
  • Frozen fruit garnish (optional)

Combine the rosé, gin, lemon and lime juice in a shaker. Use freshly squeezed juice if you have lemons or limes on hand. Add ice and shake to your heart’s content. (30 seconds or less should do the trick!) Pour the mixture over ice and top off with a splash of club or lemon-lime soda. Garnish with your choice of frozen fruit. Enjoy this outside while pretending you are at your favorite Missouri winery! 

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