Missouri has been producing award-winning wines since the late 1800s. The types of American grapes grown in the state create distinct wines known for unique flavors that can be paired with almost anything. Here’s a guide to Missouri wine varietals and a few key pairing ideas:

Dry Spectrum

Chambourcin sham-bor-san

• medium-bodied, dry red
• Pair with: pork loin, burgers, short ribs, red sauce, mushrooms, applesauce, strawberries, figs, brie, camembert, walnuts, cobbler and chocolate cake

Chardonel shar-doe-nel

• full-bodied dry white
• Pair with: creamy white cheeses, grilled chicken and fish, mushrooms, almonds, pasta & cream sauce, vanilla cake, banana bread and apple dishes

Norton/Cynthiana nore-tuhn /sin-thee-ana

• full-bodied dry red
• Pair with: bold cheeses, smoked lamb, beef and venison, blackened fish, berries, hazelnuts, dark chocolate and spice cake

Seyval Blanc say-vahl-blahnc

• medium-bodied dry to semi-dry white
• Pair with: grilled chicken and fish, green vegetables, sushi, white cheeses, pasta & cream sauce, lemon cake & melon

Sweet Spectrum

Catawba ca-taw-ba

• light-bodied, pink and rose
• Pair with: spicy cheeses, pork chops, cold cut sandwiches, charcuterie boards and light desserts

Concord con-kord

• medium-bodied, sweet red
• Pair with: bold cheeses, barbecued beef, pork chops, orange chicken, candied nuts, and grape pie

Vidal Blanc vee-dahl-blahnc

• dry to semi-dry & sweet dessert-style white
• Pair with: grilled chicken and seafood, broccoli & asparagus, sushi, soup, Mozzarella, pasta & cream sauce, citrus, pine nuts & melon

Vignoles veen-yole

• medium-bodied, dry to sweet & dessert white
• Pair with: spicy cheeses, spiced curry, Asian or Mexican dishes, buffalo wings, spicy grilled peppers and barbecue, berries and tropical fruits, cheesecake, and Crème Brûlée

Use these great pairing ideas when dining at home, entertaining guests or even during dinner for your date night out. Although these are great ideas, they aren’t exhaustive. There is a Missouri wine for every pairing. Share your pairing ideas with us on social media by tagging #mowine and @missouriwine.

Who says Sangria can only be enjoyed with warm weather outside? This sparkling winter Sangria is worth celebrating with.

Prep time: 10 minutes

Servings: 6

What you’ll need

¾c apple juice

¼c white rum

1 tbsp sugar

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 apple cubed or sliced

1 firm pear sliced thinly

¾c fresh cranberries

2 cinnamon sticks

1c club soda

1 bottle sparkling wine (Stone Hill Blanc de Blancs)

Instructions

1.Mix apple juice and rum in medium bowl. Whisk in sugar and cinnamon until sugar dissolves and cinnamon is evenly distributed.

2.In a large pitcher, add apple, pear slices, cranberries and cinnamon sticks.

3.Pour in apple juice and rum mixture and stir gently.

4.Add club soda and sparkling wine. Stir gently.

5.Chill and stir before serving.

6.Enjoy!

 

Try this winter Sangria with your friends and family. Share it with us by tagging @missouriwine or using the hashtag #mowine.

Wine etiquette is re-emerging for holiday festivities and New Year gatherings after dormancy during the pandemic. Although wine is still often enjoyed at home, knowing how to implement best wine practices in public is important during both business and personal enjoyment. Here’s a few essential wine tips to sharpen your etiquette:

 

Glasses

• Utilize the 5 S’s of wine (see, swirl, smell, sip, savor) & think about each wine

These essential reminders allow you to thoroughly enjoy the event’s offerings and have discussion points, as well as pairing notes

• Know how to hold your glass – by the stem or by the base

Refrain altering the ideal temperature of wine by holding glass appropriately

• Manage mouth marks on glasses (especially with holiday lipstick)

Where you choose to take your first sip, use the same place while enjoying

• Table placement matters

Your wine glass will go to the right of your water glass once seated

• Pick the perfect pour

More room allows glass to be swirled, wine to open and exhibit flavors. Host should pour glasses one-third full for reds, one-half full for whites and three-fourths full for sparkling wines

Socially

• Pour intently, holding bottle near the base – offer to guests first, pour with label facing outward

Using the base provides more stability as well as less room for bottle slips and spillage. Twist while ending your pour to reduce unexpected drips

• Similar to table manners, enjoy portions at speeds similar to those around you

Make sure all have had a chance to try the available wine offerings

• Cheers! Clink glasses at the bowl to reduce breakage, noise disruptions and germs

This time-aged tradition is paired best with well wishes and good eye contact

• The host is responsible for filling glasses

Unless it is a unique situation, the host and hostesses should notice when a drink can use a fill

 

If you are the host…

Make wines approachable! Answer questions, go with the flow and try to stock your stash with wines your guests might enjoy

If you are the guest…

Enjoy what you like. Try new wines. Don’t partake if you do not enjoy. Best way to know is to experience and ask questions

 

Cheers from Missouri Wines this holiday season! Try gifting your host a Missouri wine at a dinner gathering, purchasing one for an easy, thoughtful gift or even opening a Missouri sparkling in celebration of the New Year. Share your celebrations with us on social by tagging @missouriwine or #mowine.

 

Missouri wines make great presents year-round, but are perfect for gifting during the holiday season. There is a Missouri wine for everyone to enjoy, even your loved ones that are hard to shop for. Use these five wrapping tips to make gift giving easy this season.

 

 

 

Friends and family will be more than impressed when you bring these brownies to your next gathering. Instead of the hassle of a made-from-scratch recipe, pick up your favorite box brownie mix and grab a fruit wine to whip up this quick recipe.

What you’ll need

1 box brownie mix

1 bottle of Missouri fruit wine - we used Hermannhoff Raspberry Rapture

Eggs

Oil

Instructions

Simply follow the directions on the box. Instead of using water, replace with the same volume of wine. Bake as instructed and voila. You can also make a quick powdered sugar glaze with the extra wine and drizzle over the finished product.

Happy baking! Capture your plated brownies and share with us on social media by tagging @missouriwine or using the hashtag #mowine.

 

Reduce your waste, reuse your old corks and recycle them into beautiful holiday decorations. Take your stash of corks and transform them into DIY cork garland in a few easy steps:

What you’ll need

Handheld electric drill with thin drill bit
Fishing line
Wine corks (number varies by length & beads used)
Beads (we used red wood and raw wood colored beads)
Scissors
Large sewing needle
Jute or fabric for tassels (optional)

Let’s create!

1.Pre-drill holes in corks to allow for easy threading

2.Cut fishing line to desired length

3.Use bead as anchor for end of fishing line by tying a normal double knot around the bead

4.Select bead and cork pattern

5.Use large sewing needle to thread pattern onto fishing line

6.Repeat pattern until fishing line is filled and to desired length of garland

7.Tie off end of garland

8.Cut strips of fabric or jute and assemble into tassels

9.Attach tassels to each end of garland and secure with multiple knots

10.Hang or wrap finished garland as décor!

 

You can also make garland for any occasion - check out our other TikTok for inspiration! 

Share your DIY cork Christmas garland with us on social by tagging @missouriwine and #mowine. Check out our TikTok Channel for more DIY videos! 

Osage River Popcorn Company – Osage Beach, MO

Find a wide variety of tasty popcorn flavors in store and online. The Osage River Popcorn crew pops these savory and sweet popcorn treats daily, offering 21 unique varieties including the featured Osage Mix, French Vanilla and Cinnamon. These products are available by the bag and in popcorn tins.

Adam Puchta Winery – Hermann, MO

Adam Puchta Winery predates Prohibition and its seven generations of ownership dubbed it the longest continuously family-owned winery in the United States. Purchase award-winning wines online or visit the winery in Missouri wine country. The featured wine is the 2015 Estate Norton which can be purchased here(https://adampuchtawine.com/shop-for-wine/). Norton is the Missouri state grape and makes fabulous wines to enjoy alone or pair (https://missouriwine.org/missouri-norton-food-perfect-pair)with a variety of foods.

Stone Hill Winery – Hermann, MO

Ranked one of the oldest and most awarded wineries in the country, Stone Hill Winery offers a wine for everyone. The featured 2019 Chambourcin edged out the competition in the 2021 Missouri Wine Competition winning the title of Governor’s Cup. Find the 2017 Chambourcin and shop their entire lineup online. https://shop.stonehillwinery.com/storefront.aspx

Augusta Winery – Augusta, MO

Overlooking the Missouri River Valley, you will find the scenic town of Augusta, surrounded by the first American Viticultural Area (AVA) and home to Augusta Winery. The featured 2020 Reserve Dry Vignoles is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser as a dry white wine with delicious notes of tropical fruit, pineapple and white peach. Shop the reserve vintage online (https://www.augustawinery.com/wine-store/wine-list.html) or visit the winery in person.

The Berry Nutty Farm – Independence, MO

The Berry Nutty Farm offers several holiday favorites perfect for gifting. The small batch spreads use delicious combinations of blackberries, raspberries, blueberries and more. Featured spreads include American Picnic, Bottom of the Barrel, Dueling Berries and Road Trip fruit spreads, but be sure to browse online to find the broad assortment of available products.

Blue Mound Soap Company – Cowgill, MO

Made from local products like goat’s milk, honey and lavender, paired with essential oils, the soaps, lotions and lip balms from Blue Mound Soap Company are guaranteed to please. All products are gentle on the skin and smell great. Shop online for a variety of products and be sure to check out the gift boxes.

Heartfelt Alpaca Creations – Columbia, MO

Founded by four women in central Missouri, Heartfelt Alpaca Creations are dedicated to crafting quality products made from alpaca fibers. To name a few, check out the insoles, hotpads and coasters, throw blankets, neck cozies, dryer balls and more.

Tunetti Natural Soap – Fair Play, MO

When shopping for the men in your life, be sure to look into Tunetti Natural Soap. They offer beard balms, mustache wax and beard oil for the guys. They also craft personal care products that are great for the whole family.

Shopping for the special people in our lives can sometimes prompt us with head-scratching moments wondering where to start. This little jingle made to a familiar holiday tune was crafted to provide ideas for the wine-lovers during this season of gift-giving. Grab a pencil and paper to jot down a shopping list while you read (or sing) this holiday gift guide.

On the 1st day of Christmas, my good friend gave to me a dinner and wine pairing

For someone who seemingly has everything, think about gifting experiences this year. Make a reservation for dinner and wine at your favorite winery/restaurant, and the memories you make will last a lifetime. Check out Willow Spring Mercantile in Excelsior Springs to find an assortment of dinner dates and menus to choose from.

On the 2nd day of Christmas, my good friend gave to me 2 one-day trips

Book a trip (or two) to a region that isn’t as frequented. Use our trip planning guide to get started exploring things to do and places to visit in 10 regions across Missouri wine country.

On the 3rd day of Christmas, my good friend gave to me 3 corkscrews

A classic gift for every wine-lover is naturally something practical. Pick up a new bottle-opening device and perhaps pair with a bottle of wine to complete the perfect gift. To make the decision of what kind to purchase a bit easier, read about different types of corkscrews here.

On the 4th day of Christmas, my good friend gave to me 4 cans of wine

Many wineries are exploring alternative packaging which has prompted an appeal to on-the-go vino enthusiasts. Meramec Vineyards has canned Sangria that makes the ideal stocking stuffer. Shop their website here https://meramecvineyards.com/wine-store/

See a canned selection from other Missouri wineries here.

On the 5th day of Christmas, my good friend gave to me 5 wine country things

Missouri wine country has more to offer than wine – be on the lookout for winery swag, boutique items, handcrafted art, home décor and more. Martin Brothers Winery in Hermann and Beckett’s Winery in Glasgow both offer a unique shopping experience for their customers.

On the 6th day of Christmas, my good friend gave to me 6 tours and tastings

Experience more of Missouri wine country by gifting tours and tastings. Les Bourgeois Vineyards in Rocheport provides the chance to purchase tickets to a VIP tour and tasting. Pirtle Winery offers the option to purchase tastings in advance. If an in-home tasting is more the style of choice, check out the Virtual Guided Wine Tasting Kit that can be purchase online from Meramec Vineyards. 

On the 7th day of Christmas, my good friend gave to me 7 wine club memberships

Wine clubs provide gifts that keep gifting after the holiday season has passed. Amigoni Urban Winery in Kansas City offers 4, 6 and 12 bottle wine club memberships which are released twice a year – once in July and once in November. Amigoni also just recently released a 4-pack Tribute Series to honor the history in Kansas City Livestock District which is a limited edition pack for the holidays.

Stone Hill offers both sweet and dry wine clubs which allow complete customization of wine selection.

See additional wine club offerings in Missouri here.

On the 8th day of Christmas, my good friend gave to me 8 wine trail passes

Gift the experience of wine trails in a region of your choosing. The Hermann Wine Trail presents many seasonal trails all year round for $35/ticket. Browse trail dates and occasions here.

Purchase a season pass to the Meramec River Wine Trail at Meramec Vineyards Winery and enjoy the trail all season long.

Check out all 11 wine trails in Missouri here.

On the 9th day of Christmas, my good friend gave to me 9 event tickets

Experiencing different vintages of the same varietal from the same winery is a unique opportunity for wine enthusiasts. Stone Hill Winery in Hermann presents a 10-year lineup of Missouri’s famous Norton for a vertical tasting and dinner. Tickets will be sold online soon.

On the 10th day of Christmas, my good friend gave to me 10 Norton glasses

Purchase special glassware for a Norton fan. The style of a broad Norton glass allows the bold red wine to open up and release all its notes.

On the 11th day of Christmas, my good friend gave to me 11 bottle stoppers

Accompany a bottle of corked wine with a unique bottle stopper that the recipient will be able to use for many bottles down the road.

On the 12th day of Christmas, my good friend gave to me 12 bottles of wine

Why gift a single bottle when you can gift an entire case? Look for deals when you purchase an entire case of wine, or mix and match a full case from a variety of your favorite wineries.

 

Tag us at #mowine on your winery shopping excursions and enjoy this giving season.

*Please note that this list is not all-inclusive and special additions were gathered via survey responses.

Love a beer can chicken? Try swapping the beer with your favorite Chambourcin to celebrate this varietal in November! This easy and delicious version is a fantastic spin on one of your favorite recipes.

Servings: Feeds 4-6

Total time: 1:30

 

Ingredients

For chicken:

1 baking pan

1 beer can

1 bottle of Chambourcin wine of your choice

3 cloves garlic chopped

2 rosemary sprigs

1 whole chicken

2 tbsp butter

Salt

Pepper

 

Red wine sauce:

2 tbsp of butter

1 white onion (chopped)

3 carrots (chopped)

2 rosemary sprigs

1c Diced mushrooms

2 tsp flour

1c chicken juices from roast

1c Chambourcin from roast

 

Directions:

1.Can be cooked on the grill with smoke flavor of your choice or in the oven. If grilling/smoking, prepare grill for indirect heat (350 to 375). For oven, set temp at 350.

2.Empty beer can and fill with 1c of Chambourcin wine of your choice. Add 3 cloves of garlic and 2 rosemary sprigs to can.

3.Rub chicken with 2 tbsp of butter, salt and pepper.

4.Place the chicken on top of the can of wine so that the wine can is inside the cavity of the chicken and the chicken is standing upright.

5.Cook at 350-375 for an hour or until internal temp is 165.

6.Carefully remove pan from oven and carve chicken to your liking.

 

Red Wine Sauce

1.Melt 2 tbsp of butter over medium heat in pan. Add 1 chopped onion, 3 chopped carrots, 2 rosemary sprigs and 1c sliced mushrooms. Simmer until cooked.

2.Add 2 tsp of flour and stir.

3.Add 1c chicken juices from roast and 1c wine from roast. Simmer and stir until blended.

4.Coat plated chicken with sauce.

 

Let us know how you enjoy your wine can chicken and Chambourcin during November! Tag your delicious pictures on social with #mowine.

Thanksgiving is fast approaching with the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping to follow. Crowds of eager shoppers will soon flood shopping centers on Black Friday to snag the best deals. Businesses will follow suit on Small Business Saturday as they welcome their biggest fans for a big day of shopping local in store and online. Join the pursuit and remember local wineries during this busy gift-buying season and look for ways to support your community. Here are 4 reasons to shop small this year:

1. Purchases boost local community and business itself

Every dollar spent at local businesses is put to work employing current and future employees, creating new jobs, investing in community activities and creating the potential for business expansion. According to a study completed by Intuit Mint, for every $100 spent at a small business, $48 of that sum is circled through the local economy.

2. Local collaboration provides unique items and experiences

Community oriented businesses are often working with local creators to bring one-of-a-kind products to the table. See this recent highlight of local artisans to find unique gifts straight from Missouri wine country.

3. Encourage tourism with local wine experiences

Experiences also serve as thoughtful gifts that will provide lasting memories. Look for wine-club memberships, tasting coupons and wine trail tickets to gift the wino in your circle. Bringing visitors back to the area will boost local attractions and provide a connection with the community.

4. Skip the line and shop online

Many local shops and wineries offer an e-commerce option on their website for a variety of items. Purchase unique gift baskets, gift certificates, wine, apparel and more in the comfort of your home. Look for online purchasing options when browsing winery websites.

Enjoy the holiday shopping season and tag us with your Missouri wine country finds with #mowine on social media.