Barrels are probably one of the first things that come to mind when you think about wine. They have become an archetypal symbol of wine over the years, but their use started accidentally. For thousands of years, wine was transported in clay amphora. These vessels worked fine when transporting wine for the most part. They could be airtight if sealed properly and the materials needed to make them were readily available.

As the Roman Empire expanded further into Europe, however, the Romans came in contact with the Gauls who were using wooden barrels to transport beer. They quickly came to the realization that these wooden barrels were a far more efficient way to transport wine. Oak was abundant in continental Europe and was idea for making barrels. It was softer and easier to bend than many other types of wood which made shaping it into barrels a surmountable and relatively speedy task. It also offered a tight grain, creating a waterproof storage option. The round shape allowed them to be rolled, making transport even easier.

As the popularity of barrels as a wine transportation medium grew, it became apparent that the barrels were affecting the way the wine tasted… in a good way. New and different aromas and flavors were found in the wines transported in oak barrels, and these characteristics were found to intensify the longer the wine was in the barrel, thus creating the practice of aging wine in oak barrels.

Oak is still the preferred wood for crafting wine barrels. Building wine barrels is a fascinating craft and can substantially affect the wines they house. The primary components of wine barrels are staves, small pieces of oak cut into a very specific shape, and metal hoops used to join the staves together. Traditionally, the staves are seasoned prior to being made into barrels. They are then heated to soften the wood and make it pliable. The heating process chars the inside of the barrel, and this level of char (also known as toast) is important to how the barrel will interact with the wine aged in it.

The oak used for barrel making can come from different areas, the most common of which being French or American. A large percentage of American oak barrels are made from Missouri oak. The Show-Me state has a long history of barrel-making and is home to the leading barrel manufacturer, Independent Stave Company, and several artisan cooperages such as A&K Cooperage, McGinnis Wood Products, Bratcher Cooperage, and Hoffmeister Barrelworks. A barrel maker is called a cooper and a barrel making facility is called a cooperage.

Tune into our next blog post where we’ll shed light on exactly how barrels affect the wine aged in them and how Missouri winemakers are using barrels to craft delicious, award-winning wines.

November is Chambourcin Month. It’s a delicious, versatile varietal that is great this time of year. Chambourcin is very food friendly. Use this guide to find which of your favorite foods pair well with Chambourcin.

Did the holidays sneak up on you? Don’t worry. We know the perfect, fast and easy solution… a case of Missouri wine. That’s right; you can take care of 12 people all at one time. How simple was that?

Gifting locally-made, award-winning wine is more than just giving a gift. It’s telling a story, offering a sense of place, and sharing your interests and passion. That’s right. You just became the MVP of the holiday season.

There are more than 125 wineries in the state. That means, there is most certainly at least one within a quick drive of wherever in Missouri you call home. Heading out to a winery to check off your shopping list sounds like a lot more fun than combating the crowds at a packed shopping mall. Visit your nearest or dearest local winery, and put your holiday shopping woes behind you. It’s time to enjoy the season, not stress it.

This year, don’t stress your holiday shopping. Shop local. Sip local. Gift local!

There are so many fun and thoughtful ways to wrap wine as a gift. Use a festive or customized tea towel or a pair of funky, cute socks to wrap a special bottle of wine. Talk about a conversation piece! 

Missouri wine pairs well with checking off your holiday shopping list!

Whether you have leftover candy from the Trick or Treaters or you’re looking for something fun and unique to do with your friends and loved ones, these candy and Missouri wine pairings are a real treat!

Normal Cork Spools: Great for twine and embroidery floss

Wine Cork and Wire Napkin Rings: Just in time for holiday entertaining

Napkin Rings | 6 Easy, Useful Ways to Recycle Wine Corks from Missouri Wines 

Wine Cork Monogram Earrings: An easy, unique accessory that makes a great gift

Wine Cork Chip Clip: So simple, you’ll wonder why you never thought of it before

Wine Cork Photo Holder: An adorable and compact way to display your favorite photos

Put those wine corks you’ve had lying around for a rainy-day craft to good use with these DIY ideas. Get a jump start on your holiday gift making and join in the fun on America Recycles Day!

June is National Seafood Month.  It's also Vidal Blanc Month in Missouri.  We thought this called for a Seafood and Wine Pairing guide.  Enjoy!

The holiday season is full of fun events both attended and hosted. While it’s a great time of family, friends and revelry, it can be busy, even exhausting at times. Make this very social season a little easier on yourself by stocking up ahead of time.

Missouri wine is the answer to all of these holiday entertaining questions:

1. What do I bring to so-and-so’s house as a host/hostess gift?
2. How do I take care of beverages for a crowd, easily and quickly?
3. What do I have on hand to please everyone’s palate?
4. How do I make my holiday soiree stand out?

1) Missouri wine makes the perfect host or hostess gift because not only are you showing your appreciation, but you’re also showing them you put thought and effort into their gift. It’s locally made and unique. Wrap the bottle of Missouri wine in a dish towel tied with a fun, seasonal ribbon to make your gift even more memorable.

2) Big-batch winetails like seasonal sangria or mulled wine are the perfect make-ahead beverages for serving a crowd. Plus, the presentation of sangria is beautiful and the aroma of mulled wine is fantastic. It’s a win, win!

3) There are countless Missouri wines and wines in general to choose from. So, how do you know what to have on hand to please everyone’s palate? First of all, it’s quite difficult to please everyone, but you can get pretty close by covering these four bases- a dry red, dry white, semi-dry white, and a sweet red or blush. A couple of options for a good mix:

• Chambourcin, Chardonel, Vignoles, Concord
• Norton, Vidal Blanc, Traminette, Catawba

4) Missouri winemakers like to have fun, just like you do. They make all sorts of fun seasonal wines that will be a hit at your next holiday gathering. Whether it’s cranberry, pumpkin, gingerbread, or chai spice, seasonal Missouri wines are a delicious conversation piece!

Do your future, slightly-overwhelmed self a favor; head out to Missouri wine country and stock up for all your holiday entertaining!

There’s a chill in the air. Fall is here, and to some that means one thing… PUMPKIN! Pumpkin everything. If you love pumpkin and local, award-winning wine, this blog post is for you. Let’s talk about some of the amazing pumpkin products out there and the Missouri wines that pair perfectly with them. There are also a plethora of scrumptious dishes you can make with pumpkin, each deserving a delicious wine pairing. After all… “A meal without wine is like a day without sunshine.” – Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin (famous food critic).

Next time you’re at the grocery store, look for these items and the Missouri wines that go with them:

Pumpkin Spice Latte M&Ms +Traminette

Pumpkin Spice Almonds + Concord

Pumpkin Tortilla Chips and Salsa + Norton

Pumpkin Spice Caramel Corn + Sweet Sparkling Wine

Pumpkin Spice English Muffins (or bagels) and Pumpkin Cream Cheese Spread + Sparkling Wine (Maybe even a Mimosa...Cheers to Fall brunch!)

Often when people think of pumpkin recipes they think of sweets and desserts, but there’s potential for savory dishes is boundless. Try these recipes, and be sure to remember the Missouri wine!

Pumpkin, Beef and Black Bean Chili + Traminette

Thai Pumpkin, Coconut and Lentil Soup + Vignoles

Chicken, Bacon and Pumpkin Gnocchi + Chambourcin

Pumpkin, Ricotta Stuffed Pasta Shells + Seyval Blanc

Pumpkin-Sage Cream Sauce + Vidal Blanc

Enjoy Pumpkin Season (oops, Fall) with Missouri wines!

October 8th is National Poetry Day and we think this famous quote from Scottish novelist and poet, Robert Louis Stevenson, pretty much covers it!

Glass is pretty lovely on its own, but it also works incredibly well as a clean, crisp canvas for your creativity. Whether you’re looking to liven up your own glassware collection or make a unique gift for a friend, there are tons of wonderful DIY glass projects from which to choose.

Before you get started on a decorative glass project is right for you, we have a few tips and tid-bits to share.

1. It’s important to prep your glass! Clean your glasses thoroughly. Consider using rubbing alcohol to eliminate any oil or grease from the surface. Other tips on “How to Paint Glass”, here.
2. Different paint types produce different looks on the final product. Here’s a guide to help you decide which type of paint will work best for the end result you’re wanting.
3. The bowl of a wine glass is round, making it a challenge to get a line that looks straight. A great trick is to put water in the glass and use the water line as a guide.

Paint–

For something easy and quick that doesn’t take advanced artistic ability, try this tutorial for a cute dotted design.

An option for the slightly more artistically inclined is this tutorial for a red daylily painted wine glass. The person using the glass gets the best view of this unique design.

For the true artisté or anyone willing to give it a try, this tutorial for hand painted peacock feather wine glasses breaks the project down step by every little step. The results are absolutely beautiful!

Technically chalkboard paint is still paint, right? Create customizable wine glasses with this easy dip and sip tutorial or use this tutorial for a more refined version.

Sharpies can also be used to create functional masterpieces. This tutorial demonstrates several ideas for using sharpies (metallic in this case) to dress up wine glasses.

Glitter undeniably makes everything fancier. The challenge is making sure the glasses are still washable while maintaining the shine that makes glitter so fun. This tutorial says a couple coats will do the trick. While this tutorial says it’s all about sealing it off. Take your pick and sparkle on!

Etched glass is the epitome of class. Don’t you think? With limited supplies you can create some beautiful glassware with this easy to follow tutorial. If you have a Silhouette Design or Cricut, you can take this idea to the next level!

A gilded base is a great way to dress up a champagne flute. This tutorial uses a gold paper doilie and mod podge to make two simple things look exponentially more glamorous.

Choose which project sounds right to you and don’t forget to toast with some Missouri wine in your masterpiece when it’s complete.

Missouri wine pairs well with crafting!