We love our fathers even more than we love Missouri wines. And Father’s Day is the perfect day to tell dear old Dad to put a cork in it — his tacklebox, that is. Corks — natural and synthetic — float great, which makes them the perfect pieces to upcycle on the water. Follow these simple DI-Wines to learn quick and easy ways to use corks, whether you’re catching fish or just catching some rays. 

Hook Holder
Don’t stick your hands into a tangle of hooks in your tackle box anymore. Use a cork as a hook holder to keep your hooks organized and their barbs away from your fingers. 

Trouble-Free Treble Hook Holder
This tip can apply to tricky treble hooks too. Cut small pieces of cork to cover the points on your treble hooks. Not only do they store more safely and tangle-free, but it also makes tying on your chosen lure of jig a breeze when you’re not worried about getting hooked in the process.

Survival Fishing Set
Here is a pocket-size survival fishing kit if you ever find yourself in a real pickle. Wrap several yards of fishing line around a cork and place several different size hooks on the top. If you’re ever trapped in the great outdoors and need to fish for food, this pint-sized tackle set has everything you need — line, hooks and, of course, the cork, which can serve as a bobber. This mini survival set is light and super portable. Throw it in your backpack or even your pants pocket before hiking or camping. 

Cork Bobber
But you don’t have to be a survivalist to use a simple cork bobber. You can simply cut indentions in the middle of the bobber to tie your fishing line around, or you can fasten hooks out of eyelets or wire to thread your line through. If you’re a woodworker, a simple wine cork, some dowel rod and a lathe make beautiful cork bobbers. Check out this YouTube tutorial by Makify.

Sunglasses Saver
While hope may float, your favorite pair of sunnies don’t. A couple pieces of cork can save your sunglasses. Cut a piece of cork halfway through longways, and then thread your sunglasses strap through the slit so the cork encases the strap. You can also place the cork in a vice, drill a hole straight through the center, and thread the strap through. We recommend one cork for each side of your sunglasses strap to keep your sunglasses afloat. 

Floating Cork Key Chain
Bobbers aren’t the only time that cork’s innate ability to bob along in the water comes in handy. Water-safe keychains are the perfect use of used Missouri wine corks. Whether you’re fishing, boating or floating down one of the Show-Me State’s many waterways, a cork keychain keeps your keys on the surface if they take a tumble overboard. To make a cork keychain, simply screw a small eyelet into the middle of the cork and attach a keyring to it. Secure the eyelet with a dab of super glue to be extra safe. 

Next time you enjoy a Missouri lake, river or stream, keep your corks handy and enjoy a sip of your favorite Missouri wine. 
 

Summer has arrived and as the temperatures rise, we’re all thinking about ways to cool down. This super easy and totally refreshing Frosé (frozen rosé) is exactly what you need! Frozen fruit and Missouri rosé wine come together quickly and simply to create this delicious, frosty treat. 

Frosé Recipe 

Time: 5 minutes, Servings: 5-6

Ingredients 

1 bottle Missouri rosé wine (750ml) 

2 cups Strawberries, frozen 

2 cups Watermelon, frozen (seedless and chopped into small cubes, approx. 1 in.)

¼ cup Fresh lime juice 

2-4 tbsp Simple syrup or agave, to taste 

Instructions 

1. Add the rosé wine, frozen fruit and lime juice to a blender. 
2. Blend on med-high until smooth and slushy. If it’s thinner than you would like, add more frozen fruit half a cup at a time. 
3. Taste the mixture and add simple syrup one tablespoon at a time until you reach the desired sweetness. The amount you’ll need is based on the sweetness level of the wine you use. If you choose a sweet rosé, you’ll need less sweetener. 
4. Pour and enjoy! 
5. Optional: Garnish with fresh strawberries and lime wheels. 

*If you want to make this treat ahead or have leftovers you want to save for another time, pour the mixture into ice cube trays and freeze them. Just pop the cubes into the blender when you’re ready to enjoy the frosé. 

Missouri Catawba, usually made in the rosé style, is a great varietal to try in this simple recipe. However, it works well with just about any rosé wine as it is so easily customized to your sweetness preferences. Cheers to staying cool with a glass of Frosé!

Salads are especially popular during the summer when a hot meal may not be as appealing. Everyone knows a good dressing is a must for creating a delicious salad. Here is an infographic that breaks down how to make tasty salad dressings every time using Missouri wine. 

Hardy on the vine and delectable in a glass, Vidal Blanc provides a simply crisp and refreshing taste with every sip. The medium bodied, crisp and clean wine typically offers flavors of pear, apple and citrus fruits, making it the perfect wine to celebrate the start of summer. 

This Missouri varietal is known for its hardiness in the vineyards given its ability to tolerate colder climates with a thicker grape skin. The grape was developed by a French grape breeder in the 1930s and has been prominent in Missouri wine country ever since.

Flavors of summer can be found in every glass, while pairing this crisp white wine will enhance your experience furthermore. Ideal pairings are grilled chicken and seafood, broccoli, asparagus, citrus and melon; the perfect items to top your menu this summer.

Celebrate Vidal Blanc month during June and enjoy this delightful Missouri wine that is perfectly simple like a summer day. Learn more about Vidal Blanc and find delicious recipes to try here.

Drinking wine is an experience for all of the senses. Mouthfeel refers mostly to the sense of touch, but with your mouth rather than your hands… ergo mouth-feel. It’s the way the wine feels while you are sipping and after. The primary components of mouthfeel are body, texture, balance, and finish. This infographic explains everything that goes into those pieces to make up the entire mouthfeel, which is a large part of the wine tasting experience.