The Missouri wine industry has an annual economic impact of $1.76 billion. We’d like to introduce you to all the different wines the Show Me State has to offer. As you’re sure to have noticed, the weather patterns in Missouri can range from hot and humid, to downright frigid, and everything in between. As a result, local vintners grow mostly Native American and hybrid grapes that can handle our demanding weather. Learn more about these hardy grapes and the delicious wines they become.

Norton is a Native American red grape that produces big, bold dry red wines. Norton (AKA Cynthiana) was named the Official State Grape of Missouri in 2003 and is the most commonly grown grape in the state.

Chambourcin (pronounced sham-bor-san) is a French-American hybrid grape often made into earthy, dry red wines and refreshing rosés. Chambourcin is very food friendly and it’s a great “gateway red” for those just starting out.

Catawba is a Native American grape that makes delightful rosé style wines. Catawba wines range in hue from pink to orange and are perfect for sipping on a warm summer day.

Concord is also a Native American grape and wines made from it are usually luscious, sweet red wines. Concord is the quintessential ‘grape’ flavor and a fan favorite at many Missouri wineries. 

Vignoles (pronounced veen-yole) is the most popular white grape in the state and is used to make everything from Late Harvest dessert wines, to refreshing, fruity dry whites. Most frequently, you’ll find semi-sweet to semi-dry Vignoles wines with wonderfully fruity aromas and flavors. No wonder it’s so popular!

Vidal Blanc is an incredibly versatile grape and you’ll find wines made from it in the dessert, sparkling, semi-dry, and crisp, refreshing dry wine categories. It’s delicious and award-winning in many of its styles.

Chardonel is a hybrid grape and wines made from it are often aged on oak, producing wines similar in style and flavor to one of its parent grapes, Chardonnay. You can also find unoaked Chardonel wines at some Missouri wineries, letting more of the apple and citrus notes of the grape shine through.

Chicken is a delicious, nutritious, and affordable staple found in most kitchens. No wonder there’s a whole month devoted to this classic protein. In honor of National Chicken Month, let’s talk chicken and Missouri wine!

Cooking Chicken with Missouri Wine

Cooking with wine can add flavor and depth to your dishes. (Not to mention it gives you an excuse to open a bottle of wine and enjoy a glass while you’re cooking.) Wine is used in three primary ways when cooking… as a marinade ingredient, a cooking liquid (think simmer or braise), and flavoring in finished dishes (sauces, primarily). Click here for more info about cooking with wine.

Try one (or all) of these delicious recipes to celebrate Missouri Wine Month and Chicken Month!

Grilled Chicken Beurre Blanc paired with Chardonel from Feast Magazine

Skillet Lemon Chicken paired with Vidal Blanc from The Cookie Rookie

Classic Chicken in Red Wine paired with Chambourcin from the Food Network

Pairing Chicken with Missouri Wine

White meat pairs with white wine is a general rule, and it does work quite often. However, don’t lock yourself in that box. If you do, you might miss out on some really delicious flavor combinations…

• Fried Chicken + Sparkling Wine (Find more info on this rebellious pairing here.)
• Chicken Parmesan + Chambourcin
• Barbecue Chicken + Catawba

Find the perfect wine for your favorite chicken dishes with this guide. 

September is Missouri Wine Month. What does that mean exactly? It means it’s the perfect time to discover or rediscover the beauty that is your local, award-winning wine scene. There are 130 wineries in the state and the industry has a $1.76 billion impact each year. There are so many wonderful things to experience in Missouri wine country. Here are some ideas on how you can celebrate #MOwineMonth!

1. Visit a Missouri Winery. With 130 in the state, you’re never far from one, and September is the perfect time to check out a new one… or several.
2. Sign up for MVP and start earning rewards for exploring wine country. This new program is as simple as 1, 2, 3. 1) Visit wineries. 2) Earn points. 3) Get rewards. What are you waiting for?
3. Go on a wine trail. There are ten different wine trails throughout the state, each offering a unique experience. A wine trail is a great way to get to know several wineries in an area.
4. Master the 5S’s of wine tasting. See, swirl, smell, sip, savor… repeat. Become a pro with this guide.
5. Discover a new varietal. You may have noticed we don’t grow the grapes you’re used to hearing about. Missouri has demanding weather and winemakers have found that hybrid grapes and Native American varieties grow the best in the Show Me State. Discover some of these awesome varieties at a winery or your local retailer.
6. Take a winery/vineyard tour. There’s no better way to learn than to immerse yourself. Winery and vineyard tours take you into the heart of the winemaking culture, and September is the perfect time for it because it’s harvest season!
7. Host a local wine tasting (+ local cheese for the win!). Have some friends, family over for a fun night of wine tasting featuring local wines. Add some delicious local cheese to really take your event over the edge!
8. Pair Missouri wine with your favorite foods. Food and wine are meant to go together. Use this guide to find which Missouri wines pair perfectly with your favorite fare.
9. Add complexity to your cooking/baking by incorporating local wines. Cooking and baking with wine is fun and delicious. Try one of these recipes.
10. Share your Missouri vino adventures with us on social media. #MOwineMonth Let’s get social! You can find Missouri Wines on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and YouTube.

Cheers to Missouri Wine Month! Let’s celebrate.

*Bonus* Check out the exciting events going on in wine country through our calendar. 

Whether you’re preparing meat, seafood or vegetables, a well-made marinade can make all the difference. There are four primary components to any good marinade: Acid, Fat, Herbs + Aromatics, and Spice. Marinades are designed to impart flavor and in the case of meat, act as a tenderizer.

Building your best marinade is easy…

1. Acid: You can use anything acidic for this such as vinegar, lemon/lime juice, or wine. Obviously, we think wine is the way to go because you can customize the level of acid by which wine you select. Plus, you get the added bonus of imparting delicious, complex flavors. The amount of time you will be marinating and what you will be marinating determine how acidic the wine you choose should be. The more acid… the more tender. There is such a thing as too tender that gets into mushy territory. Lower Acid Missouri Wines: Chambourcin, Chardonel | Higher Acid Missouri Wines: Norton, Vidal Blanc
2. Fat: The classic is extra virgin olive oil, but you can use butter, coconut oil, avocado oil, grapeseed oil… and the list goes on. Keep in mind the flavor and smoke point when selecting your fat.
3. Herbs and Aromatics: There are almost countless options to play with in this category. Everything from rosemary, to orange zest, to lavender, and everything in between. Remember dried herbs are more concentrated than fresh. You want to add flavor to the dish, not overpower it.
4. Spice: Salt and pepper are the old stand-bys, but you don’t have to stop there. Vanilla, anise, and chili powder are a few other options to consider.

As for amounts of each, it depends on how much meat/fish/vegetables you are marinating. You want to make enough to fully coat what it is marinating. Good amounts to start with are: 1 cup wine, ½  cup oil, ½- tsp - 2 tbsp herbs (less for dry, more for fresh), and ½- tsp - 2 tbsp spice. For info on how long to marinade different meats, click here.

Whichever Missouri wine you choose to use in your marinade will pair nicely with the meal when it’s finished. Cheers! 

Meet some of the dogs you’ll run into while you’re exploring wineries throughout the Show Me State. 

Winery: Chaumette Vineyards & Winery (pictured center)
Name: Norton 
Age: 7 years old 
Bio: He follows Owner Hank Johnson everywhere on property, either running beside Hank's kubota or riding along. Norton is a friend to all, he's a gentle soul and he loves to chase the birds out of the vineyard. He also (really) loves skunks. 

Winery: Fence Stile Vineyard & Winery (pictured top left)
Name: Becca 
Age: 9 years old 
Bio: Becca is a golden doodle (retriever / poodle) and has a great temperament.  She is great with kids and other dogs (both are welcome at the winery). She has been part of the vineyards & winery since they first planted in 2007. There is a wine named after her (Becca's Blend) and her likeness is on the label.  She eagerly waits by the door for people to come in and will show them to the tasting bar or a table.  She barks at familiar people (like we say nice to see you)!  When guests are leaving, she will walk them to the parking lot as well.

Winery: Jowler Creek Vineyard & Winery (pictured bottom left)
Name: Vidal
Age: 4 (her 5th birthday is St. Patty’s Day)
Bio: Named after one of Missouri’s premier white grapes, Vidal, protects the flock of “lawn-mowing” vineyard sheep at Jowler Creek Vineyard & Winery.

Winery: Peaceful Bend Vineyards (pictured top right)
Name: Maggie 
Age: 11 years old 
Bio: A yellow lab mix, Maggie came to Peaceful Bend as a rescue and is super sweet with customers, however, she has rules for visiting puppies such as 'no running on the porch' and 'leave me alone when I nap!'. 

Name: Pepe (pictured bottom right)
Age: 8 years old 
Bio: Pepe, an 8 year old black lab, loves to sit in a chair and discuss which is better: Cheddar or Swiss?  Of course, sausage always wins! Maggie is Pepe’s mom.  

Many Missouri wineries are pet friendly. Click here for a list.

The Missouri Wine and Grape Board is excited to announce the launch of the Missouri Winery Visitors’ Program (MVP).  MVP encourages you to visit Missouri wineries where you collect points that may be redeemed for rewards.  The more wineries you visit, the more points you can earn to redeem for rewards such as cool MVP gear, fun wine experiences, and special sweepstakes giveaways!  As if you really needed another reason to explore Missouri wine country…  The program is free to participate and will officially launch on Thursday, September 1^st, just in time for Missouri Wine Month!

Ok, so this is how it works.  MVP participating wineries will hand out MVP tickets at their tasting rooms, each with a unique code, which you can collect every time you visit.  These codes are then entered into your MVP account on MissouriWineMVP.com for points.  You can become an MVP by registering an account at MissouriWineMVP.com.  Once registered, we will mail you a welcome packet with a map, program information, and a special gift!  Your first visit to a winery will earn you 500 points, but visits 2 through 10 to that same winery will get you 100 points.  If you continue to visit that same winery more than 10 times, you’ll receive 10 points each thereafter.  You only get one ticket per person per winery visit, so keep those tickets safe and secure.  The best strategy to earn points for rewards is to travel around Missouri and discover new wineries throughout the state. 

So, what are you waiting for?  Your vino adventures await you!  Head over to the MVP website to get registered.  Don’t forget to sign up for our MVP newsletter to get updates on wineries, rewards, sweepstakes giveaways, and more!  Check out the MVP program Terms and Conditions and FAQ if you want more information.  All MVP points must be redeemed by December 31^st, 2017.

The Saint Louis Science Center is hosting a special wine and spirits tasting event for your brain and your tastebuds.  On August 27^th, adults 21 years old and older can learn about the chemistry and science behind the entire wine making process.  Discover new wines produced right here in Missouri.  This total sensory experience will introduce you to some of winemaking and distilling’s most popular ingredients.

Guests will have the opportunity to taste more than 70 different wines and spirits from throughout the state.  Not only can you drink the wine, but there will be small plates of food cooked with wine as well.  The event will feature “Science of Wine” demonstrations, guest speakers, live music, and more.

Vignoles grapes are used to make a wide range of wines with a variety of sweetness levels, making it ideal for pairing with all kinds of foods. Use this guide to match up dishes with delicious, award-winning Missouri Vignoles! 

Your new favorite summer sipper is here! Beat the heat of August with a Missouri wine slushy. Wine slushies can be made two ways. You can combine cold wine with frozen fruit in a blender, or you can freeze wine in ice cube trays and blend it with fresh fruit. Whichever method you choose, you’re in for a delicious, refreshing treat! There are practically endless flavor combinations, but because August is Vignoles Month, this recipe uses Missouri’s favorite white wine.

Fruity Vignoles Slushy Recipe

Time: 5 minutes | Servings: 6

Ingredients:
10 oz Frozen Peaches 
10 oz Frozen Strawberries 
1 bottle Semi-Sweet Vignoles Wine, chilled

Directions: 
Put frozen peaches in blender. Add half the bottle of Missouri Vignoles. Blend fruit and wine until smooth and slushy. Pour into a bowl or pitcher and set aside. Place frozen strawberries in blender. Add the remaining Missouri wine. Blend until smooth and slushy. Pour slushies into glasses 2-3 ounces at a time, alternating between the flavors. Enjoy! 

Add sunshine to your summer with Vignoles and wine slushies! 

Your new favorite summer sipper is here! Beat the heat of August with a Missouri wine slushy. Wine slushies can be made two ways. You can combine cold wine with frozen fruit in a blender, or you can freeze wine in ice cube trays and blend it with fresh fruit. Whichever method you choose, you’re in for a delicious, refreshing treat! There are practically endless flavor combinations, but because August is Vignoles Month, this recipe uses Missouri’s favorite white wine. Vignoles is the most commonly grown white wine grape in the state. 

Fruity Vignoles Slushy Recipe

Time: 5 minutes | Servings: 6

Ingredients:
10 oz Frozen Peaches 
10 oz Frozen Strawberries 
1 bottle Semi-Sweet Vignoles Wine, chilled

Directions: 
Put frozen peaches in blender. Add half the bottle of Missouri Vignoles. Blend fruit and wine until smooth and slushy. Pour into a bowl or pitcher and set aside. Place frozen strawberries in blender. Add the remaining Missouri wine. Blend until smooth and slushy. Pour slushies into glasses 2-3 ounces at a time, alternating between the flavors. Enjoy! 

Add sunshine to your summer with Vignoles and wine slushies!