Fondue has an often disputed origin, but in 1930 it was named Switzerland’s National Dish, and it’s popularity has spread far and wide. There is something undeniably fun and communal about Fondue that makes it the perfect dish for sharing with a group. Traditional Fondue recipes include cheese, wine, herbs and garlic. Try this version featuring Missouri’s classic white wine, Chardonel.

Chardonel Fondue Recipe

Time: 15-20 minutes

Yield: 6-8 servings

Ingredients:

1  Fresh garlic clove

½ lb  Gouda cheese

½ lb  Swiss cheese 

1 cup  Missouri Chardonel- dry, white wine

¼ cup  Cornstarch

Salt

White Pepper

Directions:

Grate the cheese and coat with cornstarch. This recipe uses a double boiler method. You’ll need a heatproof bowl and a pan it will fit in without touching the bottom of the pan. Cut the garlic clove and rub it on the inside of the bowl to coat the bottom and sides. Place the bowl over the pan of water, bringing the water to a simmer. Add wine to the bowl and heat until warm but not too hot. (You’re looking for small bubbles, not a rolling boil.) Add the cheese a handful at a time stirring until melted. Once all of the cheese is melted, add salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately with dippable delights such as bread, veggies, meat, or even apple slices.

The Fondue will thicken quickly if you don’t have a Fondue pot or small slow cooker, so eat up! Pair this delicious shareable dish with a glass of Chardonel. Cheers! 

The menu for Easter dinner varies from table to table, but we’ve compiled delicious wine pairing recommendations for some of the more traditional dishes. If you’re Easter dinner or brunch menu don’t include any of these items, you can always use our interactive food and wine pairing guide to find the perfect match.

1. Deviled Eggs + Traminette
2. Green Salad + Vidal Blanc
3. Lamb  + Norton
4. Ham + Chambourcin   *If the glaze on your ham is rather sweet, a Chambourcin rosé may be the way to go.

5. Duck + Norton
6. Roasted Vegetables and Potatoes + Chardonel
7. Spring Peas with Mint + Vidal Blanc
8. Lemon Meringue Pie + Late harvest dessert wine
9. Chocolate Bunnies:

Milk Chocolate + Fruit wine (Cherry, Blackberry or Raspberry)

(Fairly) Dark Chocolate + Chambourcin

(Really) Dark Chocolate + Norton

White Chocolate + Sweet sparkling wine

10. Marshmallow Peeps + Late h arvest dessert wine

Sip local as you celebrate this Easter! 

Chardonel… it may sound familiar, but the taste is truly original. It’s a hybrid grape varietal and derives its name from parent grapes, Chardonnay and Seyval Blanc. It was bred to thrive in demanding weather conditions like those we experience here in Missouri. The unique terroir (climate, soil, etc.) of the area results in a truly delicious, classic white wine with plenty of Show Me State flavor.

Chardonel is a versatile grape that winemakers can use to make a wide variety of wines, but is most commonly used for dry white wines. If the vintner chooses to age their Chardonel wine in oak barrels, it develops a rich, creamy character similar to traditional Chardonnays but with a subtle fruitiness all its own. When made in an un-oaked style, Chardonel features even more fruit notes of citrus and apple with a light, crisp finish.

As the temperature begins to rise, flowers bloom and grape vines awaken. We welcome a new season, and Chardonel is the perfect wine to sip in celebration of spring’s arrival. It’s a great wine for enjoying on its own, but pairs well with a wide range of foods. Try matching it with grilled chicken, mushrooms, smoked pork, creamy white cheeses and sauces, and bread pudding. If you’re looking for a great wine to cook with, Chardonel is a delicious choice.

Spring is a beautiful season of new life, and Missouri wine country is a great place to take it all in. While you’re exploring local, award-winning wineries, be sure to taste and discover Missouri Chardonel. Share your vino adventures with us on social media with #MOwine and #MOChardonel.

Cheers to Chardonel Month! 

Are you ready for a Missouri wine adventure? The Show Me State has 10 distinct wine trails to discover! A wine trail is a group of wineries that have come together to create fun, unique experiences. Some host themed food and wine pairing events, while others act as a mapped out vino adventure. Get familiar with each trail and check out some of the upcoming events.

1. Aux Arcs Wine Road

In the heart of the Missouri Ozarks along Highway 60, the Aux Arcs Wine Road is named from the original French name given to the region north of the northern-most bend in the Arkansas River. Stop by each winery along the trail and you can get a free souvenir glass at your last stop.  

2. Hermann Wine Trail

There is a rich winemaking tradition in the historic German town of Hermann that dates back to the 1830s. The Hermann Wine Trail is known for festive events featuring unique foods paired with delicious local wines.

• Wild Bacon Wine Trail Event – On May 6^th and 7^th, each winery along the trail will use bacon as the main ingredient in a delicious dish that will be paired with wine. 

3. Kansas City Wine Trail             

From the urban settings of central Kansas City to the farm life environment you’ll find in Lexington, the Kansas City Wine Trail forms a complete loop in the surrounding area just east of Kansas City.

4. Lake of the Ozarks Wine Trail

Located near one of the largest man-made lakes in the United States, the Lake of the Ozarks Wine Trail offers scenic views and an opportunity to sip wine on the water. Pair wine with gourmet food and visit one of the many attractions the area has to offer.

5. Mississippi River Hills Wine Trail

As you wind through the beautiful river hills countryside of Southeast Missouri, the Mississippi River Hills Wine Trail stretches 40 miles long and offers a wide selection of wines from family owned and operated wineries.  

• Taste of the Titanic Event – On April 15^th, you can enjoy a unique wine and food pairing at each winery along the trail based on foods that were served on the Titanic.
• Win a Weekend Getaway Package – Become an MVP, visit participating wineries, and earn points to enter the MVP sweepstakes for a chance to win a wine experience and one night stay for up to four people along the Mississippi River Hills Wine Trail.

6. Missouri River Wine Trail                         

In the center of the Show Me State, the Missouri River Wine Trail has stunning bluff top views of the Missouri River and State Capitol building. Central Missouri wineries offer award-winning wine, tasty food, and incredible views each in their own exclusive setting.

• Chill Out on the Wine Trail Event – On July 8^th and 9^th, you can enjoy ice cream pairings with wine this summer at each winery along the trail.

7. Missouri Weinstrasse                                

The Missouri Weinstrasse is located in America’s first ever designated American Viticulture Area, Augusta. The area has been praised for its unique soil, climate and German winemaking heritage.

8. The Northwest Missouri Wine Trail

As you travel through some of the charming towns just north of Kansas City, the Northwest Missouri Wine Trail has unique wineries, picturesque countryside views, gourmet foods and friendly mid-western hospitality.

9. Ozark Mountain Wine Trail

Down in southwest Missouri, the Ozark Mountain Wine Trail takes you through the scenic countryside and rolling hills of the Ozarks. The trail offers a diverse selection of locally crafted wines, including fruit wines and honey wines known as mead.

10. Route du Vin Wine Trail

In Ste. Genevieve County, just southeast of St. Louis, the Route du Vin Wine Trail has deep French influences that date back to the 1700s. Historic architecture, rolling hills, green fields and a natural cave are just some of the sights you’ll see while exploring the trail.

• Jour de la Terre Event – On April 22^nd, celebrate Earth Day by enjoying wines paired with cuisine inspired by other countries at each of the wineries along the trail.

What are you waiting for? Attend a wine trail event or create or own wine trail experience at one of the 10 wine trails throughout the state. Share your wine trail experiences with us on social media by using the hashtag #MOwine.

Cheers to Missouri wine adventures!

So, how do you recognize that acid is what you taste and feel? As far as a flavor goes, acid in wine comes across as a tart or sour taste. It can cause a variety of sensations ranging from a tingling on the sides of your tongue, to a more prominent pucker, and can even cause your mouth to salivate – literally mouthwatering. An often-used comparison is the flavor and sensation of drinking fresh-squeezed lemonade.

White wines generally have more acidity than reds, but there are always exceptions. Take Chardonel for example, if it’s aged in oak it goes through something called malolactic conversion changing the way the acid in the wine tastes and feels. An unoaked Chardonel will have brighter acid than that of an oaked Chardonel. This conversion is one of the reasons red wine tends to have less acid than white. The length of time the grapes spent on the vine also affects how much acid a wine will have. The riper a grape, the less acid and more sugars it will have.

Acid is an important factor to consider when selecting a wine to pair with specific food. If a dish is high in acid such as a salad with citrus vinaigrette, pairing it with a low-acid wine would make the wine taste dull and flat. If your dish is acidic, finding a wine with a comparative acidity is key. Sweetness, saltiness and fat are all complementary flavors that pair well with acidic wines. That’s why sparkling wine is so delicious with fried chicken.

Winemaking is a balancing act and acid plays a primary role. Next time you’re at a Missouri winery doing a tasting, keep in mind the taste and mouthfeel of acidity to help identify which local wines are your favorite.  

Wine is the ultimate accessory… just ask Rihanna! Missouri wine is once again a proud sponsor of the VIP experience at the annual Fashionation event in Springfield. 417 Magazine puts on the most fabulous fashion event of the year, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to be a part of it.

If you would like to attend this one-of-a-kind event featuring a two-hour fashion show, live musical performances, dancing and exclusive shopping opportunities, you can purchase a ticket here. You can also enter for a chance to win a pair of VIP tickets courtesy of Missouri Wines by clicking here. Fashionation will take place on April 8, 2017 at the Springfield Expo Center in 417 Land.

*Pro-tip* The earlier you purchase your tickets, the better your seat! And if you’re the lucky winner of a pair of VIP tickets from Missouri Wines, you’re guaranteed a great view of all the fashion action… so enter today! 

The days are getting longer and the weather is getting warmer, which means spring season is on its way. The first day of spring officially began on March 20^th, so wineries throughout the state may begin to extend visiting hours. Spring is the perfect time to visit Missouri wine country. Have you ever seen a vineyard just after bud break as the flowers begin to grow? The vineyard views can be very picturesque! In fact, the drive to a winery can be just as pretty since flowers are beginning to bloom. Aside from the scenic settings a winery can offer, let’s not forget about all of the delicious Missouri wine there is to try!

If you need another reason to visit Missouri wine country, sign up to earn rewards through the Missouri Winery Visitors Program, otherwise known as MVP. That’s right; you can get rewards as an MVP just by visiting Missouri wineries! For each participating MVP winery you visit, you’ll earn points, which may be redeemed for rewards. Track your vino adventures with a wine journal or keep your wine chilled with a neoprene wine carrier. There are plenty of MVP rewards and experiences to choose from. You can even use your points for a chance to win the MVP quarterly sweepstakes. The current MVP sweepstakes is a weekend getaway package that includes lodging for up to four people along the Mississippi River Hills Wine Trail. Then again, you might want to use your points to redeem two tickets to the MVP Extravaganza. This special event includes gourmet food and wine pairings and is the ultimate reward for the most dedicated of MVPs.

Score more MVP points by spending a day exploring a Missouri wine trail! Each wine trail has something different to offer visitors and will often host special events. There are 10 Missouri wine trails choose from. Which wine trail will you discover?

We invite you to explore Missouri wine country and become an MVP to begin earning rewards for visiting wineries. MVP is a voluntary program for both consumers and wineries, so be sure to check the MVP participating winery list before visiting. Cheers to sipping wine during the spring time in Missouri wine country!

If you’re craving seafood pasta, we’ve got the perfect dish for you! Try our Missouri white wine shrimp linguine recipe. This simple, but delicious entrée is enhanced with the addition of Missouri white wine. We made this dish with a Vidal Blanc, but you could also use another crisp, dry white such as Seyval Blanc. It’s a quick meal to cook and is sure to become a favorite at the dinner table.   

White Wine Shrimp Linguine Recipe

Time: Prep: 10 minutes  |  Cook: 15-20 minutes

Yield: 6-8 servings

Ingredients:

16 oz               Linguine (dry, uncooked)

4 tbsp             Butter (unsalted)

2 tsp               Garlic - minced

1 tsp                Red pepper flakes

1 cup               Missouri Vidal Blanc (dry white wine)

Bag (12oz)     Raw shrimp - peeled and deveined

1                      Pinch of salt and pepper to taste

1                      Zest of lemon

¼ cup             Fresh lemon juice

1 tbsp             Fresh parsley (for garnish)

¼ cup             Shredded parmesan cheese (for garnish)

Directions:

Cook pasta according to package instructions in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat until sizzling. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes and sauté garlic for one minute before adding wine. Cook mixture for approximately one minute. Carefully add shrimp then season with salt, pepper, and lemon zest. Cook shrimp for 5-7 minutes until shrimp are pink. Remove skillet from heat and stir in fresh lemon juice. Add pasta and toss lightly to combine until pasta is well coated. Garnish each serving with fresh parsley and shredded parmesan cheese.

This recipe is full of flavor, but the leftovers also tastes great reheated the next day after the pasta absorbs more of the sauce. Enjoy!  

There are more than 130 wineries to discover across the state. You can find anything and everything you’re looking for somewhere in Missouri wine country. If you’re a pizza fanatic, you’re in luck! At these 18 wineries you can enjoy delicious pizza paired with handcrafted local wines. Is your stomach growling just thinking about a cheesy slice of wood-fired pizza and a glass of rich, earthy Chambourcin?

If you’re a wood-fired pizza fan, check out these wineries…

Arcadian Moon Winery & Brewery in Higginsville (available seven days a week)

La Bella Vineyards & Winery in Wellington (check their site for dates available)

St. James Winery in St. James (available through the spring and summer at their wine and beer garden)

The Barrens Winery in Perryville (available on Saturdays throughout the summer)

Van Till Family Farm Winery in Rayville (available Fridays and Saturdays on their heated patio)

Viandel Vineyard in Mountain View (pizza served alongside live music spring into fall)

Villa Antonio Winery in Hillsboro (Their dough and sauce are made from family recipes tracing back to Italy!)

From gourmet flatbreads to gluten free options, these wineries are perfect for pizza lovers…

Augusta Winery in Augusta (available at the wine garden April through October)

Balducci Vineyards in Augusta (your choice of thin crust or deep pan are available)

Belmont Vineyards in Leasburg (offers a selection of seasonal pizzas and a build your own option)

Chaumette Winery in Ste. Genevieve (gourmet flatbreads that will not disappoint)

Les Bourgeois Vineyards in Rocheport (the brie flatbread is delicious, but keep and eye out for specials at the bistro on weekends)

Meramec Vineyards in St. James (“Pizzah” at their Wine Down Fridays and special events)

Montelle Winery in Augusta (The Klondike Café makes all their pizzas fresh to order, and that view!)

Mount Pleasant Estates in Augusta (the Appellation Café serves flatbreads April through October)

Noboleis Vineyards in Augusta (delicious offerings and gluten free options are available)

Sand Creek Vineyard in Farmington (perfect for thin crust fans)

White Mule Winery in Owensville (available Saturday evenings January through March)

It’s hard to find a better pair than wine and pizza, except maybe adventure and Missouri wine country, or perhaps good friends and great wine. It’s time to head out to one of these Show Me State wineries for a delicious experience… and here’s a guide to help you select the perfect wine pairing while you’re there.

When it comes to St. Patrick’s Day, it’s time to get festive and sip something green! This refreshingly tart, sparkling green sangria is the perfect way to celebrate the holiday. The recipe is easy to make and may be adjusted to meet your favorite flavor preferences. Whether you like it tart or sweet, this is a fun beverage to serve guests on St. Patrick’s Day!

Time: Prep:  15 minutes  |  Chill:  2-4 hours

Yield: 6-8 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle – Missouri Vignoles - an assortment of citrus, floral and tropical fruit flavors

• 2 cups – Limeade

• 2 liters – Ginger Ale

• 6-8 – Kiwis

• 4-6 – Limes - extra for garnish

• 4 – Fresh Mint Leaves - extra for garnish

Directions:

Peel and slice the kiwis and limes into wheels and layer the fruit in a pitcher. Add mint leaves on top for a festive look. Pour in the wine and limeade; stir for a few minutes. Chill 2-4 hours to let the flavors combine. Stir the sangria once again prior to serving. Pour the sangria into a glass about half way and top it off with ginger ale. (Note – If your pitcher is large enough you may add ginger ale directly into the pitcher.) Garnish each glass with a lime and mint leaf.

*Pro Tip* If you like sweet more than tart, add simple syrup, agave, or sugar to taste into the pitcher and mix it up before chilling.

Cheers!