You don’t need to be a master chef to bake these delicious blondies filled with cashews, butterscotch chips and, the best part, wine! It’s the perfect blend of salty and sweet and will have your friends and family saying “more please.”

Yields: 12 servings | Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 55 minutes

Ingredients

1/2 lb (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
2 cups packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup chardonel
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1 cup butterscotch chips
1 cup roasted salted cashews, chopped
1 tsp flaky sea salt

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9-x-13-inch baking pan with aluminum foil so that it extends up the sides. Spray with nonstick spray.
2. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, vanilla and chardonel (don’t be concerned about the consistency change). Next, beat in the flour, baking powder and kosher salt.
3. With a large spoon, stir in the butterscotch chips and chopped cashews.
4. Spread the batter evenly into your prepared pan and lightly sprinkle the flaky sea salt on top. Bake for about 35 to 40 minutes. The edges should be golden-brown and the center will have set.

Give your blondies time to cool before cutting into them. If you’ve got some leftover, store them in a covered container at room temperature.  

April 22nd is Earth Day, and it’s the perfect time to take stock of what we can all do to be more eco-conscious. As wine-lovers we can do our part by reusing and recycling our wine bottles and corks, and it doesn’t have to be a chore. Upcycling can be fun and useful with these DIY ideas. 

• Wine Bottle Chandelier – Brighten up any space with this super cool, customizable wine bottle chandelier!
• Centerpiece – Wine bottles make great vases with minimal muss or fuss. Clean off the labels, fill with water, and you’re all set for a great mantle piece or centerpiece for your table. 
• Modular Shelves – This DIY project is a bit more involved than some, but the end result is worth the effort! 
• Wine Bottle Lamp – Talk about the perfect gift! Make this unique lamp for friends and family for a gift you know they’ll love. 

There are tons of great cork DIY ideas, but you can also recycle cork through programs like ReCork and Cork Reharvest. Cork is a renewable, recyclable material; let’s all do our part. 

Cheers to Earth Day and being eco-conscious wine-lovers! 

Spring is a time of new life and growth. It makes sense that it’s a time when we think more about the Earth and our impact on it. Most Missouri wineries and vineyards make efforts to be sustainable and treat the land with respect, but one winery in particular has made “being green” a cornerstone of their business from the very beginning and continues to strive for sustainability as they grow, Jowler Creek Winery.

Colleen and Jason Gerke opened Jowler Creek Winery in Platte City in 2006 with the desire and intention of creating a business that would thrive for generations to come. From the beginning, the Gerkes took sustainability seriously. Their business strategy involved continuous improvements and operating more efficiently each year, with the overarching goal of being carbon neutral.

The winery employs a long list of sustainable practices ranging from the use of solar power, to composting and recycling. On the property, you’ll find a whole team of nature’s helpers as well… sheep “mowing” in the vineyards, bat houses and free-range chickens to help control pests, a honey bee colony and even a native-plant butterfly garden. You may also spot Jowler Creek Winery eco-friendly vehicles out and about delivering wine to local retail shops and attending area events.

In 2017, Jowler Creek Winery was the first Missouri winery to receive ASAP certification. The Missouri Agricultural Stewardship Assurance Program (ASAP) is a verification program that champions Missouri farmers who are responsible stewards of the land. It’s meant to acknowledge and reward those who proactively protect the environment, employ sound management practices and use science-based technology to produce safe food, fuel and fiber for consumers. Since then, several other vineyards have also received the certification, including Augusta Winery and St. James Winery.

Wineries aren’t the only ones who can go green. Colleen has some great advice for wine-lovers who want to help out. “Being green is about making choices that have a positive impact on your environment and community,” she says. “From purchasing your wine from the local winery down the road to recycling your finished wine bottles and corks, there are lots of little decisions you can make each day to be green that will have a big impact over time.” 

Today, Jowler Creek is owned and run by Jason and Kit Lacy, Kansas City siblings. With their families, they now manage more than 3,500 grapevines in its 7-acre sustainable vineyard and makes nine award-winning wines in various styles ranging from dry to sweet. They continue to maintain Jowler Creek’s focus on green and sustainable production, methods and quality.

Next time you’re in the Kansas City area, be sure to visit Jowler Creek Winery and learn even more about their green practices by taking a Self-Guided Eco Tour around the property.

Cheers to a sustainable Missouri wine country and lots of great, award-winning local wine for years to come! 

While people often think about pouring a glass of their favorite wine to enjoy on the front porch or with their special someone over a meal, there are a variety of other ways to use wine in the kitchen. Some of which include adding an extra kick of flavor to replacing ingredients you don't have on hand.

Chefs frequently use wine as a cooking liquid, flavoring or in marinades. Here are a few fun ways to incorporate wine into your menu.

Pork
Pomegranate Pork
Smokin’ Berry Pork Loin
Red Wine Pork Medallions
Sage Pork Tenderloin

Beef

Beef Kabobs
Bacon Wrapped Filets
Red Wine Beef Stew

Pasta

White Wine Shrimp Linguine
Red Wine Pasta
Vidal Pasta Primavera

Chicken

Chicken + MO Wine
Rosemary Butter Sauce Pasta
Transform your Chicken

Veggies

Slow Cooker Chambourcin Mushrooms

Fruit

Grilled Marinated Fruit
New Take on Cranberry
Peach Vignoles Trifle
Mini Fruit Tarts

Sauces

Get Saucy with Missouri Wine
MO Wine Condiments
Vidal Blanc Mustard BBQ Sauce

Desserts

Three Ingredient Ice Cream
Baking Tips
MO Wine Brownies
Wine Popsicles

For more tips and ideas visit our website.

Pouring delicious Missouri wine into a smudged glass is a major bummer. Don't forget to add glassware to your spring quarantine cleaning list! Below are some tips to ensure an odor-free, gleaming wine glass.

Remember to handle glassware carefully. Slower is better and even when they feel sturdy, wine glasses are very fragile. Avoid a possible injury by handling your glass gently in every step.

What you will need:
Clean wine glasses
Microfiber cloth (won’t leave fuzz or odor)
Steam
Pot or bowl

The first step is to fill a pot or large bowl with hot, not boiling, steaming water. Grab your wine glass by the stem and hold above the hot water at an angle. The glass should not touch the water or become wet.

Once the inside of the wine glass is steamy, begin to gently polish with your cloth. This will not require a lot of pressure.

Repeat step one by placing the glass back in the steam, and steaming the exterior. Gently polish. The same steps will be taken to polish the base of the wine glass: and, as for the stem, wipe down a few times and you’re done.

Be sure to show off your beautifully polished wine glasses on your next video chat!

Now that spring has sprung it’s time our beverages start sporting brighter colors to match. No need to grocery shop, this easy to make “Quarantini” incorporates many ingredients you may already have at home. Treat yourself to an afternoon on the back deck with this quick delicious infusion. 

Servings: 1 (Can be multiplied for Quarantine Crews up to 10)

Ingredients 
2 oz Dry Rosé
1 oz Gin
1 oz Lemon Juice 
1/4 oz Lime Juice
1/2 oz Club or Lemon-Lime Soda
Frozen fruit garnish (optional)

Combine the rosé, gin, lemon and lime juice in a shaker. Use freshly squeezed juice if you have lemons or limes on hand. Add ice and shake to your heart’s content. (30 seconds or less should do the trick!) Pour the mixture over ice and top off with a splash of club or lemon-lime soda. Garnish with your choice of frozen fruit. Enjoy this outside while pretending you are at your favorite Missouri winery! 

Now that spring has sprung it’s time our beverages start sporting brighter colors to match. No need to grocery shop, this easy to make “Quarantini” incorporates many ingredients you may already have at home. Treat yourself to an afternoon on the back deck with this quick delicious infusion. 

Servings: 1 (Can be multiplied for Quarantine Crews up to 10)

Ingredients 

• 2 oz Dry Rosé
• 1 oz Gin
• 1 oz Lemon Juice 
• 1/4 oz Lime Juice
• 1/2 oz Club or Lemon-Lime Soda
• Frozen fruit garnish (optional)

Combine the rosé, gin, lemon and lime juice in a shaker. Use freshly squeezed juice if you have lemons or limes on hand. Add ice and shake to your heart’s content. (30 seconds or less should do the trick!) Pour the mixture over ice and top off with a splash of club or lemon-lime soda. Garnish with your choice of frozen fruit. Enjoy this outside while pretending you are at your favorite Missouri winery! 

At-home wine tastings are easier than you’d think. Just gather the wine and select some yummy food items from the kitchen.

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions.

How much wine?
For your tasting, pour 2 ounces into each glass.

To chill or not to chill?
Temperature, as with most components of enjoying wine, can be subjective. Enjoy wine how you prefer it. That being said, we recommend the following temperatures for serving wine: 

Sparkling wines are best served at 45 degrees Fahrenheit 
White wines and rosés are best served at 55 degrees Fahrenheit 
Red wines are best served at 65 degrees Fahrenheit

Which wines and how many styles?
Everyone’s taste is different. Luckily, there is a Missouri wine for every palate! Cover 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 are:

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

Click here to find out how you can get your hands on Missouri wines.

What else might I need?
Don’t forget a corkscrew, dump bucket and water pitcher.

In what order should I taste the wine?
For the same reason you have salad and steak before cheesecake, dry wines should be tasted before sweet so that the sugar of a sweet wine does not impinge on the taste of a dry wine. Also remember, white wines before red.

Is there a right way to taste wine?
Discover the 5S method to wine tasting.

What kind of food should I prepare for the tasting?
Take a look at our food and wine pairing guide to see what combinations appeal to you.

Need more inspiration? Check out some of our other infographics.

We hope we’ve inspired you to try an at-home wine tasting. Invite your friends to do the same and, with video chat, you all can enjoy it together!

Looking for a new twist on a family favorite? This spaghetti recipe will wow your quarantine crew and uses many common ingredients you may already have on hand. This flexible dish allows you to easily switch out the protein and still tastes delicious!

Serving Size: 2

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients
8 oz. spaghetti or any pasta you may have
4 Tbsp butter
4 garlic cloves – minced
¼ c sweet onion – finely chopped
8 oz. crab meat, shrimp, scallops or cooked chicken
½ lemon - juice and zest
½ c Missouri Chardonel
Fresh parsley – chopped for garnish
Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Prepare the pasta as directed by the packaging. While waiting on the pasta to cook, melt butter in a large skillet on medium heat. Sauté garlic with the butter for 2 minutes. Add onion, then salt and pepper to taste and continue to sauté. Incorporate your protein, white wine (we used Chardonel) and lemon juice. Continue to cook mixture for another 2 minutes. Place pasta and seafood mixture on serving platter and top with lemon zest, parsley or even Parmesan cheese.

Pair with a glass of Missouri Chardonel and let all your worries dissolve.

Spring is here! Warmer temperatures are on the way. As nature emerges from the shadows of winter, you may find your wine preference shifting from red to white. If this time of year has you reaching for something on the other side of the wine color spectrum, we invite you to brighten your day with Chardonel.

Chardonel is a French-American hybrid with well-known parents, Chardonnay and Seyval Blanc. This full-bodied white wine may be crafted in oak or stainless steel, depending on the winemaker’s preference; therefore, you may experience a more oaked or fruit-forward, dry or off-dry wine. Chardonel is delightful on its own but also pairs well with a variety of foods including smoked pork, grilled chicken and fish like trout and halibut, as well as creamy white cheese, almonds and mushrooms. Like many of Missouri’s wines, Chardonel is a game-changer in recipes including this incredible Butterscotch Blondie. 

There are 1,700 acres of grapes in the Show-Me State. Chardonel is grown on 123 of these bearing acres, consisting of more than seven percent of the grapes grown in the state. 

Enjoy the beauty of the spring season and brighten your day with Chardonel!