Picnics are a great way to enjoy your favorite Missouri wine. Pick some pairings, pack a basket and join your family and friends for some al fresco dining and lasting memories. Use this list to start packing.

Missouri wine – Not only is Missouri wine the perfect addition to your picnic basket, but 25 Show-Me State wineries welcome picnics on their grounds.

Finger foods – Picnics are the perfect time to eat with your hands. Pop-able snacks, which can be enjoyed sans utensils, keep your picnic basket light. Chips and dip, veggies, charcuterie boards, delightful deli meats and cheeses, sandwiches, crackers and more all make great additions to any picnic meal.

Frozen fruits – Not only are frozen fruits refreshing on a summer day, but frozen grapes can cool your wine without watering it down.

Safe sauces – If you’re picnicking on a warm day, remember to pack safe sauces and food items. Certain sauces like mayonnaise can spoil quickly if not kept cool. Pesto, hummus and mustard are some great alternatives.

Keep your cool – Speaking of spoiling, be conscious of more than just your sauce choices and bring a proper cooler for any food that requires refrigeration. Only bring as much of the perishable food as you expect to eat to minimize food waste, and always check to make sure your cooler has kept your food at a proper temperature before you snack.

Cheese please – Cheese is a picnic staple. From soft cheese to hard cheese, there is certainly a cheese that pairs perfectly with your favorite Missouri wine. If you’re unsure which cheese to pair, check out our cheese pairings before you pack.

Useful utensils – Everyone remembers to pack the food and drinks, but sometimes we can forget the utensils. Make a “picnic pack” to have on standby with cutlery, a bottle opener, cutting board, knives, napkins, serving platters and baggies to store any safe leftovers.

Non-breakable necessities – Speaking of picnic packs, picnicking pros keep unbreakable glassware and plates, which can be thrown in the basket without worry.

Blanket and basket – Baskets and blankets are key essentials to the perfect picnic. Blankets should be sturdy yet washable. Baskets need to hold all your picnicking supplies, of course, but some picnic baskets also are insulated or have a cooler included. Make sure you have a plan to tote perishable food safely to and from your picnic site.

Clean-up crew – Picnics are a great chance to get outdoors and enjoy time with family and friends, but you don’t want to ruin your favorite spot for the next person. Be sure to clean-up the area before you leave. Pack a small trash bag for any used disposable plates, napkins or cutlery, food wrappers, leftover food that isn’t safe to store, etc. Don’t forget wet wipes to wipe down your hands and any dishware which you’re taking home.

The only thing left to do is schedule your outing. Be sure to use #MoWine to share your pictures of your perfect picnic!

August is Missouri’s Vignoles month and it’s time to celebrate this light and fruity varietal with a simple 4 ingredient refreshment! One batch will give you 4 servings of this delicious frozen treat and should only take about 5 minutes to whip up. This recipe uses frozen peaches and strawberries, but any of your favorite fruits will nicely compliment this classic white wine. Get creative or stick to these simple ingredients.

Ingredients

-1 bottle of your favorite Missouri Vignoles wine

-16 ounces (about 2 cups) of frozen peaches

-16 ounces (about 2 cups) of frozen strawberries

-2-3 cups of ice

Instructions

1.Blend ½ bottle of Vignoles wine with 2 cups of frozen peaches and 1 cup of ice. Add ice to thicken as needed.

2.Set mixture aside or pour into glasses.

3.Blend ½ bottle of Vignoles wine with 2 cups of strawberries and 1 cup of ice. Add ice to thicken as needed.

4.Prepare four glasses and layer the peach and strawberry mixtures. (Have fun with layering multiple times, or just split the glass half and half!)

5.Add garnish and straw, if desired.

6.Serve and enjoy!

Share your finished product with the hashtag #MoWine and tag us @missouriwine.

The 2021 Missouri State Fair is in full swing and we hope to add some must-try pairings to your State Fair bucket list. Here are six to-go stops to provide you the best wine and food experience this year!

1. Your favorite corndog stand

Grab a corndog and a glass of Traminette to enjoy the best qualities of both. This semi-sweet wine will provide you with fruity flavors and floral aromas that ideally pair with your favorite traditional corndog.

2. The Pork Stop

It goes unsaid that the best pork on the fairgrounds can be found at the Pork Place. Order a pulled pork sandwich to-go to enjoy with a side of Missouri’s best Chambourcin. You will be amazed at the complementing sensations this pair will provide.

3. Missouri Beef Depot

What could possibly make a ribeye steak sandwich from the Beef Depot taste any more delicious? Discover the answer when you pair a freshly grilled ribeye with your favorite Norton wine.

4. Cheese Curd Stand

If you like cheese curds, then you will not be disappointed by freshly deep-fried cheese curds from the stand that makes its yearly debut at the fair. When stepping in line, be prepared to pick up a glass of sparkling wine to create a pair that cannot be beat.

5. Gerken Dairy Center

Aside from the most delicious ice cream for miles, the Gerken Dairy Center serves a crispy grilled cheese that can compete with all the best. Try this unique sandwich and sip on a Chardonel for a non-traditional fair pairing.

6. Funnel Cake Stand

Finish your fair feast with a sweet treat of a funnel cake. Sip on a chilled Vignoles with the hot doughy treat for the perfect fair dessert.

Add these six stops to enhance your food experience at the 2021 Missouri State Fair. For more pairing inspiration to get creative with while at the fair, check out our library of pairing guides.

Edg-Clif cares about its roots and not just those that nourish the grapevines at the Potosi, Missouri, vineyard, winery and brewery. Currently, the third and fourth generations care for the land, which has been a family farm for nearly a century. Edg-Clif Vineyard, Winery and Brewery owners Steffie Knapp Littlefield and Cyndy Knapp Keesee were raised on the property. The sisters spent their formative years working and playing among the farm's many barns and buildings.

Steffie and Cyndy's grandfather, Andrew S. Knapp, purchased the property in 1926. Since then, the land served as a hunting retreat, a purebred Hereford cattle ranch, a pasture for bison and today's vineyard, winery and brewery. While the use of   the land may have changed over the generations, Edg-Clif has always been an authentic Missouri family farm. To pay homage to their family's roots and the land, Edg-Clif Vineyard, Winery and Brewery created the Vintage Barn label series,       which garnered the Missouri Wine Label Competition's Best Wine Series award.

  The award-winning labels were created by Steffie's daughter, Katie Knapp Littlefield. Like Edg-Clif itself, the designs hope to highlight the family's farm and the rich history of the property surrounding the vineyard. Even the logo has a connection     to the farm's past, as the log-inspired typography was created as the brand for the family's cattle ranch in the 1930s; at the same time, they dropped the 'e' and 'f' from the farm's name

When tasked with building a brand for the family's winery, Katie, who has spent her career working in global branding agencies, looked to the farm itself for inspiration and began using photography of the numerous barns, cottages and outbuildings to grace the bottles and labels. The resulting labels were not only eye-catching, but conversation-starting as patrons found themselves pulled into the nearly hundred years of family history with each sip.

"When you come to the tasting room and meet Cyndy, Steffie or anyone in the family who's there, you really get the whole story around the farm and that property," Katie says. "It's really a joy for us to share those stories, as well as connect people with where the wine is grown. We have a beautiful vineyard amongst all this history."

These anecdotes come naturally as Edg-Clif wines are paired not only with recommended flavors to enjoy while taking a sip but also a piece of the property's history. For example, a bottle of Sunset semi-sweet blush wine is perfect for a summer evening barbecue, just as the family's barn pictured on the label is the perfect place to watch the sun dip below the Ozark mountain skyline.

The stories behind the labels are often traded in the tasting room and during winery tours, which family members have hosted since the winery opened its doors a decade ago. Although the use of the family farm has changed over the years, the family aspect has not. Each member of the Knapp Littlefield and Knapp Keesee families brings their talents and expertise to the winery. As Steffie jokes, "Cyndy makes the wine, and I make the grapes."

Steffie's degree in horticulture and agriculture gives her the expertise to care for the family's vines before Cyndy creates the wine. Of course, Katie is the in-house marketing specialist. Cyndy's husband, Girard, keeps all the winery's machinery and equipment in top order. Steffie's husband, Stephen, manages the facilities, grounds and rental cottages. Cyndy's daughter, Rachael, brews the family's craft beers, and Steffie's daughters, Carolyn and Maggie, helped rehab all the rental houses. That's not to mention all the extended family, friends and volunteers who help during busy times, such as harvest and bottling.

Edg-Clif's strong family ties make it family-friendly. Children arriving in-tow to the tasting room are often greeted with a popsicle. The winery, vineyard and brewery is also picnic-friendly, making it the perfect place to stop after outdoor adventures in the Ozarks.

At the end of the day, Edg-Clif Vineyard, Winery and Brewery stands out because of their striking labels, award-winning wines, scenic vistas and unique spins on Chambourcin, but most importantly their authenticity. Edg-Clif has been a family farm for nearly 100 years and four generations. Today, it stands as a testimony of Missouri agriculture and its impact on the Knapp family and the community surrounding them.

As Cyndy says, "We're always going to be a farm, and now, we're also a winery. It's worked out beautifully."

Be sure to seek out the Vintage Barn series during your next visit to Edg-Clif Vineyard, Winery & Brewery.

Make your way toward Missouri’s biggest annual celebration, the Missouri State Fair, and trek though Missouri wine country. Along the way, discover the rich history of Sedalia and the many attractions that this bustling town has to offer. See yourself in Sedalia and prepare for adventure.

Click here to view and download our interactive trip planner.

The Show-Me State is celebrating an incredible anniversary this year – 200 years of statehood! On August 10, 1821, Missouri was the 24th state to enter the United States, just after Maine entered statehood in 1820. With two centuries of growth and development, the state is proud of its past and present, and looks forward to the future.

To commemorate this momentous anniversary, events and programs are happening across the state that highlight Missouri’s past, present and future. For more information on upcoming events as part of the year-long celebration, check out the Missouri 2021 Bicentennial calendar. For the ice cream lovers, celebrate the Bicentennial by participating a Missouri 2021 Ice Cream Social. Raise a scoop to our statehood (and to Missouri’s official state dessert) and enjoy a sweet treat with other community members. Find an ice cream social near you and make plans to celebrate.

For those looking for other ways to celebrate the Bicentennial, the Missouri Explorers Program is a free program that encourages participants to learn about Missouri’s rich history as they earn exclusive merit badges. From discovering Missouri’s expansive state park system, to learning about the St. Louis art scene, to traveling historic Route 66 (also known as the “Mother Road”), there are challenges that are sure to spark your interest. Want to learn more about Missouri’s wine industry? Check out the Wind Down in Wine Country Challenge and get rewarded for exploring the rich history and breathtaking beauty of Missouri wine country. Just visit at least 25 wineries across the Show-Me State, take a photo in each tasting room to document your stop, and upload them to the Missouri Explorers portal to earn your badge! From the bootheel to the northwest corner of the state, more than 125 wineries welcome you for an adventure.

Wine lovers seeking out rare and significant labels will appreciate the 2021 Missouri Wine Label Competition’s Bicentennial class winner, Les Bourgeois' Rocheport Reserve Aged 20 Years. This label was specifically designed to honor Missouri’s 200th anniversary and can be displayed proudly in any wine rack – if you’re joining us for the 2021 Missouri State Fair, see it on display for yourself in the Missouri wine tent.

We hope that no matter how you choose to celebrate Missouri’s landmark anniversary, award-winning Missouri wines and wine country are included.

Vignoles — it’s fruity, it’s light, it’s the essential Missouri wine experience. This hardy hybrid grape is celebrated each August during Missouri’s Vignoles month.

August is the perfect time to try a sip of this refreshing white wine. There are more than 250 acres of Vignoles vines in the Show-Me state, and this popular variety is noted for its versatility. From dry to sweet and even late-harvest dessert wines, Missouri winemakers can put their own spin on this great grape.

No matter the style, Vignoles (pronounced veen-yole) is known for its fruity, tropical and sometimes floral aroma. It tastes fruity and light with notes of pineapple, apricot, peach or citrus.

Vignoles is an equally versatile variety when it comes to pairing. Its crisp taste pairs well with a variety of flavors and meals, and it is sure to please every palate. Try pairing a bottle of Missouri Vignoles with any of these:

-Fresh fruits such as apricots and strawberries

-Swiss cheese and pepper jack cheese

-Asian chicken and buffalo chicken

-Pork ribs

-Mexican food

-Seafood curry

-Dishes with chili spices, ginger and chutney

-Crème brûlée and cheesecake

Also, try these refreshing summer bites: berry mint Vignoles pops, 5-ingredient raspberry sorbet, and peaches in wine.

With Vignoles’ ability to please any palate, it’s a must-have variety for all Missouri wine enthusiasts. Vignoles is the essential experience.

Did you know that how you store your favorite bottle of wine — both before and after you open it — affects its taste? We put together some quick tips to help you find the perfect way to keep your bottles so your first sip tastes like you remember in the tasting room.

Before it is opened …

Stay cool — Ideally, wine should be stored at 55°F. This makes a cool basement or a wine cooler a great choice to store your wine. Don’t rely on your fridge for long-term wine storage. While refrigerator temperatures are perfect for most beverages, they can dull wine flavors over time and even dry out the cork. Wine stored at temperatures lower than 25°F can freeze, and bottles stashed in areas greater than 68°F will age faster than wine stored correctly.

Keep it in the dark — Sunlight can damage wine aroma and flavor. Always store wine in a dark place, such as a cool closet or basement away from light and windows.

Don’t shake it up — Store your wine away from high traffic areas, appliances such as refrigerators, dishwashers, washers and dryers, and stereos. Wine will age unfavorably if vibrations stir up the bottle’s delicate balance.

Lay it down —Storing wine bottles horizontally keeps the corks moist and prevents premature aging. Although screw-top wine bottles don’t have to be stored this way, storing bottles horizontally on racks is an efficient, space-saving storage method that provides easy access to bottles while maximizing your space. 

After opening …

Top it off —Always seal a bottle of wine after opening it with a cork, wine stopper or even a vacuum stopper and pump. The latter removes the oxygen from the opened bottle helping to prevent oxidation and aging.

Wax on — If you don’t have a wine stopper or a vacuum stopper and pump, place wax paper around the cork before resealing the bottle. The wax paper keeps any piece of cork from falling into the bottle and helps the expanded cork slide into the bottle more easily.

Chill out — Just like leftovers, the safest storage place for opened wine is the fridge. The temperature slows down the aging and oxidation process. Once opened, always store wine bottles upright to limit the amount of wine exposed to oxygen in the bottle.

Get to cooking — Stored and sealed correctly, most wines last 3-5 days after opening. However, if you don’t think you will be able to finish a bottle during that time, cook with it. Check out these Missouri wine recipes to find new ways to experience wine.

Wine tasting in the Show-Me State is an enjoyable experience for people new to the tasting room and industry experts alike. Glenn Bardgett, a Missouri Wine expert, offers these tips to get the most out of your tasting experience.

When you're in the tasting room:

• Ask the staff questions about the wines and winery.
• Pay attention to the information they're giving you.
• Take notes about the wines.
• Try a wine even if you're not sure you will like it.
• Remember, the tasting room is for tasting wines, not drinking wines.

Remember, just because you may not enjoy a particular wine doesn't mean it is bad. Likewise, just because a wine is award-winning or expert-recommended doesn't mean you will enjoy a sip. It simply means the wine is of high quality. But, knowing the Missouri Governor's Cup gold and silver medal wines are top-quality makes them a great place to start in the tasting room.

Wine is much like art and music — everyone has their own tastes, and that is OK because it's meant to be enjoyed. In Missouri, wine enthusiasts have many local wineries to enjoy tastings and learn about the region's unique grape varieties and wines.

"For anyone wanting to learn, experience and live the lifestyle of wine and food enjoyment, remember the amazing luxury of living in wine country and being only an hour or two from world-class wines made by dedicated and committed local families simply trying to please you and make you happy," says Bardgett.

His Five S's of the Tasting Room can help you do just that!

The Five S's of the Tasting Room

See – Wine should have a clear, brilliant color, whether it's red or white. It shouldn't be hazy or cloudy, and there should be no floating particles. White wines range from clear to golden and red wines begin purple and age to red. Brown-colored red wines and very golden white wines often indicate that the bottle has oxidized; just like a banana or apple, it starts to brown when the wine gets too much air. 
Swirl - Wine sitting in a glass has very little aroma. Tasters swirl the wine in the glass to get air into the wine and increase the nose/aromas. Always smell your wine before you sip. 
Smell – A sniff before you sip gives you a hint of the wine's flavors. Wines' aromas should mostly be fruit. White wines often smell like big white fruits, such as apples, pears and grapefruit. While red wines smell like little red fruits, such as cherries, blackberries, blueberries and currants. Wines should always smell good and please your senses. 
Sip – When you sip wine, make sure the wine coats your entire tongue so you can experience all the flavors on the different parts of your taste buds. When tasting, you're simply ensuring that your first judgment about the wine was correct. And, you want to take in all parts of the wine's character and flavor. You may notice wines have different "weights." Alcohol has a lot to do with the weight of the wine. Weight adds to intensity and length/finish. Think of wine's weight like milk; you have skim milk, whole milk and cream. 
Savor the finish – The last part of tasting wine is simply savoring the finish and reflecting on your experience. Take notes about the wine you tried and communicate to your tasting room staff what you found enjoyable about that sip so they can help you find a Missouri wine you love!

If you plan to taste several wines or will be visiting multiple wineries in a single day you may elect to spit after tasting. This is considered standard tasting room protocol when sampling many wines. Be sure to share your wine country adventures on social media using #MoWine!