Missouri wines are as unique as the people who make and enjoy them. They range from bone dry to decadently sweet and everything in between. You’ll find earthy, savory flavors in some and light, bright acidity in others. The broad variances are part of what make Missouri wines so great with food. There’s a Missouri wine to go with any and all of your favorite fare. Use this infographic as your guide when pairing food and wine. Happy Missouri Wine Month!

Halloween is just around the corner. If you haven’t figured out your costume yet and you love wine, these easy, DIY ideas are for you.

A Bunch of Grapes

Some balloons, felt and creativity is about all you need for this costume… and strong lungs. Get the instructions here.

Bacchus (Roman)/Dionysis (Greek)- God of Wine

A DIY toga out of a sheet is the classic last minute costume. Amp it up with fake grapes and leaves and accessorize with a wine goblet or empty wine bottle.

Wine Barrel

This is maybe a little more work than some other last-minute DIY costumes, but it’s a functioning wine barrel and will impress everyone. If you’re up for the challenge, get the instructions here.

A Wine Snob

Grab that blazer from the back of your closet, throw on an ascot (a scarf tied and tucked into your shirt works too) and an oversized glass of red wine and you are good to go!

Your Favorite Bottle of Wine

Print or recreate an oversized label from your favorite bottle of (Missouri) wine, attach it to the front of burgundy clothes and make a cork hat. Done and done!

Enjoy Hallowine. Cheers!

Missouri is home to 10 great wine trails, but with more than 125 wineries in the state, there are additional wine regions worth putting on your radar. Labor Day weekend is nearing, and we are featuring a few wine itineraries to help you plan your escape. So grab some friends, relax and get away to Missouri wine country!

The Metropolitan Triangle Tour

Many of Missouri’s 125+ wineries are in the backyard of the state’s major metropolitan areas. Start your journey on the east side of the state in St. Louis then travel southwest to Springfield and Branson and end up at the western border in Kansas City, Missouri. While making your way through this triangle of food, music, and city life, be sure to venture into the nearby wine countries of these metro areas. Click here for the full wine-tinerary.

The Great River Road Tour

Discover life on the Mississippi River through prominent historic sites and quaint Missouri wineries nestled along the river. Formed in 1938 from a network of roads and highways, the Great River Road allows travelers to follow the Mississippi River from Minnesota to Louisiana. One of the greatest sections of this river road is its path through the Show-Me state. Click here for the full wine-tinerary.

The Heart of Missouri Tour

Discover unique small towns and the hidden treasures they offer on this tour through the heart of Missouri. A journey through the area’s wine country is worth making. The Missouri River Wine Trail, featuring eight wineries and special events, passes through quaint Mid-Missouri towns across the state’s central section of the river. Many of Missouri’s greatest towns and historical sites are located along the route. Click here for the full wine-tinerary.

Whether you use these wine-tineraries or blaze your own trail, now is the time to explore Missouri wine country!

September is arguably the best month of the year in Missouri. The weather is great, there’s a ton to do, and last but definitely not least… it’s Missouri Wine Month! There’s certainly plenty to celebrate in Missouri wine country this September. Harvest has begun, festivals and special events abound, and there’s a whole new class of award-winning wines to taste.

According to a recent study, the local wine industry is on the rise in almost too many ways to count. The annual economic impact of wine and grapes on the state is $1.76 billion. Yes, that’s billion with a B. Whoa! The industry supports nearly 15,000 full-time jobs and produces 1.25 million gallons of wine every year. With 1,700 acres of grapes and 425 growers, harvest is a very exciting time in the vineyards of Missouri.

The 2015 Missouri Wine Competition winners were announced recently, and there are some truly spectacular wines in the lineup. You’ll definitely want to try these vintages before they’re gone!

Harvest festivals, grape stomps, wine releases, and special tastings and dinners… there are so many ways to enjoy Missouri wine this month, and we want to see your favorites! We will be giving away exclusive “Drink Local” t-shirts to two lucky winners every week in September. Entering is easy; just post a Missouri wine related photo on Instagram with the hashtag #MOWineMonth, and you will be entered to win!

Giveaway Details:

How to enter to win: (It’s super easy!)

• Follow Missouri Wines on Instagram @MissouriWine
• Post a Missouri wine related photo (glass of Missouri wine, yourself at a winery, cradling your favorite award-winning wine, etc.) with the hashtag #MOWineMonth in the caption no later than 5pm CST on September 29th, 2015.

Things to note:

One entry per Instagram account. Each account can only win once during the month-long giveaway. However, each week, the non-winning entries will be put back in the running for the next week’s drawing.

If your account is set to private, we won’t be able to see that you posted an entry. So, you’ll need to make your account public for the duration of the contest to be entered.

We will announce two winners on each of the following Wednesdays:

• September 9^th, 2015
• September 16^th, 2015
• September 23^rd, 2015
• September 30^th, 2015

Winners will be notified via private message on Instagram and tagged in a post announcing the winners on @MissouriWine’s Instagram account.

Shirts will be sent out within 30 days of the giveaway end date on September 30^th.  Available sizes are S, M, L, XL, 2XL.

Per Instagram rules, we must mention this is in no way sponsored, administered, or associated with Instagram, Inc. By entering, entrants confirm they are 21+ years of age, release Instagram of responsibility, and agree to Instagram’s terms of use.

There’s nothing else quite like a getaway with your girlfriends. Whether it’s the side-cramp-inducing laughter, the overwhelming support or the everlasting memories made, we know time with your girlfriends is cherished. There is no better place to sit back and enjoy your favorite gals than Missouri wine country.

You can hit the trail, the wine trail that is, on one of Missouri’s ten wine trails. All different and wonderful in their own ways and offering everything from quaint town squares, to breathtaking views, to swanky city locales, to picturesque countryside. One of the wine trails even hosts an annual event honoring those female friendships that mean so much, Diva Weekend on the Route du Vin Wine Trail.

Often the journey is just as important as the destination. So why not make that part fun and exciting too? If you and your gal pals enjoy cycling, hop on a bike and explore the Katy Trail. There are many wonderful wineries along the way. Or take the train to wine country. Talk about a memorable way to travel! All aboard; next stop, wine country!

However you choose to get there, Missouri wine country has so much to offer. There are of course the award-winning wines to taste, winemakers to talk to, delicious food to pair with your new favorite wines and beautiful vineyards to see. Then on top of all that you’ll find shopping, from boutique to antique, near most wineries, and there’s no shortage of fascinating history in wine country.

There’s so much to do and see, you may need more than a day for your girlfriends’ getaway. So, where should you stay? There are several wineries that offer onsite accommodations. Or there’s always the exciting new trend of glamping (Yes, that means exactly what you think… glamorous camping!).

When planning your next adventure, look no further than Missouri. Wine country is calling; will you answer?

Vignoles is a very versatile grape, demonstrated by the fact that three different Best of Class categories at the recent Missouri Wine Competition were swept by Vignoles wines, claiming the honor of best dry white wine, semi-dry white wine and sweet white wine. This amount of variance in style and sweetness makes Vignoles a powerhouse of both flavor and pairing potential.

Dry Vignoles wines often retain the intense fruity aromas the grape is known for, but despite this fruitiness on the nose, they have a delightful dry, crisp flavor often with notes of pineapple and citrus fruits. Their vibrant acidity makes them delicious for summer sipping on the patio. Dry Vignoles wines pair perfectly with Swiss cheese and rich Mexican and Asian dishes that benefit nicely from the bright acidity. You’ve never met a better match for pineapple fried rice!

Semi-dry and semi-sweet Vignoles wines are full of fruit from start to finish. They maintain the pineapple, strawberry and citrus aromas expected from Vignoles and their slight sweetness carries the fruit forward flavors through to the end. Semi-dry and semi-sweet Vignoles wines are the perfect accompaniment to all your spicy food favorites such as Buffalo wings, Thai food, Indian favorites and Cajun recipes. Sweet cuts heat, and there’s just enough in Vignoles to make it the ideal pairing.

Sweet Vignoles wines share most of the same characteristics as the semi-sweet, but their residual sugar is higher, making them a great match for sweeter, fresh fruits like strawberries, apricots and peaches. Fruity desserts are also delicious paired with a sweet Vignoles.

August is Vignoles Month, and there’s certainly a lot to celebrate! Let us know what your favorite Vignoles pairing is on social media with the hashtag #VignolesMonth.

*BONUS*

Dessert Late Harvest Vignoles wines are not to be confused with sweet Vignoles wines. They definitely deserve their own category. They get their luscious, decadent sweetness and their name from how they are made. The grapes are allowed to ripen longer than others and harvested after they’ve developed extra sweetness. These wines are very full bodied and complex. You would be hard pressed to find a better match for rich desserts such as panna cotta, crème brûlée and cheesecake.

Harvest is a really big deal in wine country; and for good reason! It’s a year of hard work coming to fruition, and at the same time, it’s the beginning of another lengthy yet exciting journey from grape to glass (AKA the winemaking process). Grape harvests in Missouri generally begin in late August and continue through the middle of October. During this time, dedicated grape-growers spend long hours (candidate for understatement of the year) harvesting the fruit they’ve spent the last year nurturing so we can enjoy our favorite award-winning, delicious wines.

In Missouri, there are 1,700 acres of grapes, tended by 425 grape growers. In a recent study, we were ranked in the top ten grape producing states in the U.S. Yields can vary greatly from year to year and vineyard to vineyard. On average each acre yields three to four tons of grapes. In 2013 this led to the production of 1.25 million gallons of wine. Impressive, right?

If you’d like a more in depth look at harvest in Missouri wine country, watch this episode of Feast TV in which you can go on a day of harvesting Norton grapes with Stone Hill Winery’s vineyard manager, Nick Pehle.

Harvest is a lot of long hours and hard work for those in the vineyards of Missouri wine country, but it’s often been said that nothing worth doing is easy. We certainly think the fruits of their labor are well worth it. How about you?

Family reunion season is upon us, and where could be a better place to catch up with loved ones than at a Missouri winery? The vast majority of wineries in Missouri are family owned and operated. And while every family is distinctly unique, so is every winery. With more than 120 wineries to choose from, there is sure to be one that is the perfect setting for getting reacquainted with close and distant relatives alike.

If your family reunion is a grand affair and spreads over several days, consider a winery that offers lodging on site. Are most of your relatives within a quick drive to Missouri wine country? Be sure to check out these wineries that offer delicious dining options. Whether your family wants to wine and dine at an elegant full-service restaurant or go casual with fresh wood-fired pizzas, Missouri wine country has the answer!

Many wineries have special indoor spaces and pavilions that can be rented for your next family gathering. Find the perfect Missouri winery for your next family reunion here.

Missouri wine pairs perfectly with family reunions!

The summer is a heavy travel season. Many of us are taking weekend trips and family vacations. If you’re traveling through wine country, you may find a bottle (or several) you want to take home with you. Traveling with bottles of wine (read: breakable, stain potential) isn’t the easiest thing in the world to do, but with these tips you can bring home your favorite vintages from vacation.

1. Shipping is easier than packing.

First things first, if the winery or wine shop where you purchase the wine can ship it for you, that eliminates the hassle and risk of traveling with it in your suitcase. Many states allow direct shipping of wine, but there are some that don’t. Visit the Wine Institute’s website for an interactive map indicating the laws and regulations by state.

2. Driving with wine.

If you know wineries are on your travel itinerary, bring a divided box along with you or ask the first winery you visit if you can have or purchase one from them. Remember that temperature can affect wine. If it’s sweltering outside, try not to leave your wine in the hot car for extended periods of time. If you know you might have to leave your wine in the car, consider bringing a cooler along for the ride.

3. Flying with wine.

The most important thing to remember is that you absolutely cannot pack bottles of wine in your carryon luggage (The may be obvious to frequent travelers, but is still well worth mentioning). You will have to leave that treasured, delicious bottle at security if you try.

However, there are several ways to pack wine in your checked luggage.

-          The socks, bubble wrap and a Ziploc bag trick as expertly demonstrated by Peaceful Bend Vineyards on their blog.

-          Wineskins are specially shaped wine shippers that can be purchased online or at many wineries. Tip- If you are going to use your wineskin more than once, seal it with duct tape after the first use because the seal won’t be tight after the first use.

-          Vinni Bags are also available for purchase online and at some wineries and specialty stores. They inflate around your breakables to provide custom-fit, leak-proof protection.

-          Keep in mind that nothing is 100% guaranteed to keep your bottle of wine from breaking, so don’t pack it with clothes you would be devastated to have wine-stained upon arrival.

-          If you are really serious about collect wine on your travels, there are specially designed wine suitcases that not only protect your wine from breaking and leaking everywhere, but also withstand the high temperatures of cargo holds during long flights.

For wine that is less than 24% alcohol by volume (most wines are), there is no restriction on how many bottles you can pack. Regular baggage fees do apply.

4. Traveling by train with wine.

The same basic rules that apply to flying with wine also apply to riding on a train with wine. However, if you will be traveling in a sleeping car, you can bring a bottle on the train to enjoy during your trip. Don’t forget the corkscrew!

So, plan your next vacation to Missouri wine country, now you know how to get your favorite vintages back home safely.

Missouri wine pairs well with traveling!

An abundance of rivers, lakes and streams means Missouri is full of great spots to relax with your reel in the water. Whatever may be biting, there’s a local, award-winning wine to go with your catch of the day. Try out these recipes and pairing ideas:

Trout-  

Trout Stuffed with a Crab is delicious with a crisp, citrusy Vidal Blanc; and Uncle Dean’s recipe for whole trout on the grill is perfect with a Seyval Blanc.

Crappie-

This recipe for Crappie Francaise is a great way to dress up crappie. Use Chardonel in the recipe and then enjoy a glass with the finished dish. Delicious! Pecan Crusted Crappie makes for a great dinner and pairs well with a glass of dry Vignoles.

Carp-

If you like spicy food, try this recipe for Cajun Carp and don’t forget the Traminette. Another easy and delicious way to enjoy carp is marinated, skewered and grilled, like in this recipe for Asian Carp on a Stick. Sip on some Vignoles with this slightly sweet and spicy dish.

Bass-

This Bass, Bacon and Arugula Sandwich is a great way to enjoy your latest catch, especially alongside a glass of Chardonel.

Walleye-

Walleye works really well thinly sliced, lightly crusted with a cornmeal mixture and fried to crispy deliciousness. The bubbles in a sparkling wine pair perfectly with this recipe.

Catfish-

Catfish is great fried, but take it one step further with these Catfish Tacos and grab a glass of rosé to make it complete.

Missouri wine pairs well with fresh caught fish!