The 2024 Missouri State Fair is in full swing, and we hope to add some must-try pairings to your State Fair bucket list. Here are nine go-to stops to provide you the best wine and food experience this year! 

1. Pork Ribs + Chambourcin - Pork Place 

   

2.  Burger + Norton - Missouri Beef House

   

3. Grilled Cheese + Chardonel - Gerken Dairy

   

4. Funnel Cake + Strawberry - Westmoreland Concessions

   

5. Pizza + Chambourcin - Talagios Pizza

   

6. Fried Coconut Shrimp + Vignoles - Quality Food International LLC

   

7. Corndog + Traminette - Dick’s Concessions

   

8. Crab Rangoon + Vidal Blanc - God Bless America

   

9. Turkey Leg + Chardonel - J’s Firehouse BBQ

   

Add these nine stops to enhance your food experience at the 2024 Missouri State Fair. For more pairing inspiration to get creative with while at the fair, check out our library of pairing guides! If you try your own pairing share those with us!

Be sure to tag us in all of your photos using #MoWines! 

Missouri’s grape harvest is here! From the beginning to end learn about what goes into collecting our favorite varietals and turning them into our favorite sips!

Starting in mid-August, vineyards and wineries begin the process of harvest. At this time only certain grapes are ready to go, but from now until the end of fall, harvest will be in full swing.

How can you tell if your vineyard is ready to harvest? Many wine-makers and vineyard managers sample the grapes, checking the Brix. Brix is a measurement of sugar in the grapes. At the same time, they will also gauge overall balance between the sugars, acidity and tannins.

After these checks, it is time to get the grapes off the vine and turned into wine!

Whether hand picking or using a mechanized picker, it must be done carefully to ensure the quality of the grapes. Ever seen a mechanical harvester in action? The harvester straddles the vine and gently shakes it. This loosens the grapes which then drop from a conveyor belt into the holding bin.

While mechanical harvesting is definitely more efficient, some wineries pick by hand. This actually allows the chance to be more selective about the grapes. It also helps protect the juice and skins to preserve more flavor in the grapes.

Once harvest is complete, grapes are ready to be crushed and juiced. Then after fermentation and the winemaker’s magic, the wine we love is nearly ready to sip!

Be sure to get out to Missouri wine country and experience harvest firsthand! Take some pictures and submit them to our Through the Glass photo contest! We look forward to seeing all Missouri wine country has to offer through your eyes!