Take a sip of your favorite Missouri wine to celebrate summer nights and the Fourth of July. Of course, you likely have your favorite red and white wines to pair with picnics, grilled entrées and all things summer, but have you tried a Missouri blueberry wine?

Blueberry wine offers a sweet and refreshing sip for wine aficionados in the Show-Me State. Like all Missouri fruit wines or wines made from fruit other than grapes, blueberry wine can be enjoyed in many different ways. We recommend trying these three to start.

Sip — Simply pour yourself a taste of blueberry wine. Unlike Missouri's grape wines, which contain notes of other fruits and flavors, fruit wines are known to taste like the fresh fruits from which they're made. This means a sip of blueberry wine tastes sweetly reminiscent of a handful of ripe, fresh blueberries.

Cook — Blueberry wine is a fun, summer addition to savory entrees and sweet desserts alike. Simmer it with spices to create a blueberry wine reduction sauce to top off a dish or add it to a marinade. A good marinade ratio is 2-parts wine to 1-part fat, such as olive oil, with a dash of your favorite herbs or seasonings and a pinch of salt.

Mix — Blueberry wine doesn't need to be simply sipped by itself to be enjoyed. Mix it with your favorite summer cocktails. Bring a little bit of berry to your favorite sangria. Make your spritzer blue in the best way, or craft a wine cocktail around its sweet, summer flavor. One of our favorites is this simple winetail — Blueberry Lemonade.

To mix up a batch of Blueberry Lemonade, you will need: 

• Missouri blueberry wine
• Your favorite lemonade
• Frozen blueberries to chill your drink (optional)
• Lemons for garnish (optional)

Simply mix 1-part Missouri Blueberry wine with 1-part lemonade to create the perfect sweet and sour sip for hot summer days. Add some frozen blueberries to keep your drink chilled without watering down your glass and garnish with some lemon slices. Enjoy!

Share you incorporation of blueberry wine into winetails and recipes by taking photos and using #MoWine!

Explore Missouri's Vidal Blanc with Fence Stile Vineyards & Winery and Cat Neville. 

Who doesn’t love an easy and delicious meal prolific enough to feed a group? Juicy pulled pork is a classic crowd-pleaser, made even more mouthwatering with a Vidal Blanc simmering sauce and a blend of tantalizing spices. Plug in your crockpot, raid your spice rack and get ready to prepare a meal that will make you the star of your next potluck or cookout.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 6-7 hours | Yields: 8-10 servings

Ingredients:

4 tbsp. brown sugar                        2 tsp. thyme

2 tsp. chili powder                           ½ tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. red pepper flakes                   6-7 lb. bone-in pork shoulder

2 tsp. paprika                                    1 cup barbecue sauce

1 tsp. marjoram                                 1 ½ cups Vidal Blanc wine

2 tsp. mustard                                   1 onion, chopped

1 tsp. rosemary                                 3-4 tbsp. minced garlic

Directions:

1. Mix brown sugar and spices together in a small bowl. Use paper towels to pat the pork roast dry, and rub the spice mixture over all sides of the roast.

2. Place chopped onion, garlic, and barbecue sauce in the bottom of a large crockpot. Pour wine over top.

3. Place the roast in the crockpot, fatty side up, and cook on high for 6-7 hours. After cooking, turn the crockpot off and let rest for 30 minutes so juices can soak back into the roast.

4. Remove the roast from the crockpot and use two forks to shred the meat, making sure to remove the bone and fat. Add a little juice from the crockpot into the meat if desired.

5. Serve with a bun and your favorite side!

Make sure to document your recreation of this delectable dish, and share your photos using #MOWines on social media!

What better way to celebrate the amazing father figure in your life than giving him the experience of Missouri wine country? From outdoor activities, to rich history and beautiful scenery, wine country offers something nearly every father will enjoy. To top it off, the amazing food and award-winning wine found at Missouri wineries will make this holiday even more fantastic.

Is Dad a road trip fan? Wine country is the perfect destination for a weekend-long celebration. Our downloadable trip planners, interactive map and ideas for traveling in Missouri wine country are awesome tools to help you plan the ultimate outing for Father’s Day. Turn your excursion into a multi-day celebration by staying at one of the many lodging options in wine country.

Enjoy quality time with your loved one in the relaxing and scenic spaces only offered by Missouri wine country. From blufftop perches to valley views, celebrations are made even more spectacular with award-winning wines served in beautiful settings. For our food-loving fathers, many wineries offer mouthwatering eats that are guaranteed to impress - treat Dad to a glass (or bottle) of Missouri wine and a meal. For those who enjoy a craft brew, you’ll find that several wineries also brew their own beer or work closely with local breweries. Does Dad enjoy live music, incredible food or fun events? Check out our events calendar for Father’s Day weekend happenings in wine country.

Still looking for the perfect last-minute gift for the vino-loving father in your life? Not to fear, we’ve got you covered! Check out our list of perfect wine-centric gifts for the special people in your life.

Whether you choose to treat your loved ones to time in wine country or give them the gift of award-winning vino, make sure to include Missouri wine in your Father’s Day celebration. As you snap photos of your time together, share them using #MOWines!

What could be better than a sunny day, a stretch of open road and your favorite songs on the radio? We can only think of one thing that could make this scenario better – if that road leads you through scenic Missouri wine country!

Warmer weather and blooming foliage make for the perfect time to hit the road in the Show-Me State. Whether you’re looking for a quaint afternoon drive or a statewide road trip, wine country is your destination. You’ll come across stellar views, award-winning wineries and one-of-a-kind attractions only found here.

Every great road trip starts with a game plan and mapping out your journey. Historic Route 66 and breathtaking highways 94 and 100 wind through wine country, and are great starting points for first-time road trip travelers. Want to explore a specific Missouri wine region? We’ve got nine interactive trip planners that are loaded with resources and links to lodging, dining and wineries to visit. As you plan out your road trip itinerary, be sure to use our interactive map to find wineries along your route; with 125 wineries spread across the state, there’s bound to be a winery near you! Want to extend your trip into a multi-day adventure? You can find several wineries with on-site lodging that allow you to rest and rejuvenate before another day on the road.

Now that your route is determined and bags are packed, don’t forget to pick up bottles of award-winning Missouri wine to commemorate your trip! From dry to sweet, red to white and everything in between, there is a wide array of wines that will please any palate. To keep your precious vino safe during transport, follow our easy suggestions for traveling with wine.

For tips on storing wine at home, check out our recent blog that outlines the do’s and don’ts of proper storage of your favorite vintages.

No matter where your road trip travels take you, make sure to include Missouri wine and gorgeous wine country! As you’re traveling, share your photos using #MOWines.

In wine country, people continue to say “yes way” to rosé wine. In honor of Rosé Day on June 12, we’re putting on our rosé-colored glasses and diving in to this trendy and delicious wine.

You might be surprised to learn that rosé isn’t a specific grape varietal, but rather a broader style of wine. Rosé can be made from a variety of red grapes, and this wine gets its signature color during maceration. Speaking of color, rosé wines can be found in varying shades of pink based on the maceration process.

Thinking that rosés are too sweet for your taste? Think again. This versatile style of wine has a spectrum ranging from dry to sweet, with something for everyone to enjoy. Some Missouri winemakers even produce sparkling rosés that are sure to delight! You can also find canned rosés in wine country that are perfect for sipping and savoring on-the-go.

Besides being crowd pleasers, rosé wines are food-friendly! Need some help finding a mealtime match for your rosé of choice? We’ve got you covered with our easy pairing guides:

To help you celebrate Rosé Day (or any day) in style, we’ve got an easy and refreshing rosé sipper for you to try! With just 5 minutes to spare, and a few common ingredients, you and your gang can raise a toast to Missouri rosés with a satisfying twist on the classic mojito.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZtvvGEVQTE 

Berry Fresh Rosé Mojito

Time: 5 minutes | Serves: 4

Ingredients

Mint leaves (one large handful, and extra to garnish)

4 oz. simple syrup

4 oz. fresh lime juice

4 oz. rum

1 bottle Missouri dry rosé wine

1 can (16 oz) raspberry sparkling water

Ice

Fresh raspberries

Directions

1. Muddle simple syrup and mint leaves in a large pitcher. (Pro tip – the backside of a spoon works well for muddling) 

2. Add rum and lime juice to pitcher.

3. Pour in rosé and top with sparkling water. Stir well.

4. Add ice to pitcher (if desired) and chill until ready to serve.

5. Serve over ice, and garnish glasses with mint and fresh raspberries.

As you sip and celebrate Rosé Day with this simply satisfying winetail, make sure to snap a photo and use #MOWines!

Celebrate National Candy Month with a mouthwatering treat for a crowd! These ultra-rich and moist cake pops are made even more delectable with Chambourcin wine and dark chocolate. Preheat the oven, tighten your apron and get ready to whip up an easy dessert that any guest will swoon over.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfZOps-_o7Y

Sweet Tooth’s Delight Cake Pops

Makes approximately 30 1” cake pops | Prep time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients

1 box red velvet cake mix
3 large eggs
Vegetable oil
1 ¼ + ¼ cup Chambourcin wine
3 heaping tablespoons strawberry jelly
2 sticks unsalted butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1 lb. dark chocolate
¼ brick paraffin wax (find in the canning section of your local grocery store)
Cake pop sticks
Sprinkles (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350^oF.

2. Combine red velvet cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil and 1¼ cup Chambourcin wine in a mixing bowl. Add strawberry jelly and mix until well incorporated.

3. Pour batter into a greased 9x13” baking dish and bake 30-35 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Let cake cool completely.

4. Beat 1 of stick butter in a medium mixing bowl until fluffy, and slowly add powdered sugar until frosting forms and stiffens. Pour in remaining Chambourcin wine and mix.

5. Crumble cooled cake in a large mixing bowl and add in frosting. Stir until well combined.

6. Roll into roughly 1” balls and place on a large cookie sheet. Slide cake pop sticks into balls and chill in freezer for at least 30 minutes.

7. Melt dark chocolate and remaining stick of butter in saucepan, and incorporate paraffin wax shavings into melted chocolate mix. (Paraffin wax will thin out the chocolate and make it shiny!)

8. Dip chilled cake pops into melted chocolate mix and swirl until coated. Tap off excess chocolate and stand upright to cool. (Pro tip – an old shipping box is a great base for cake pop cooling, just gently poke holes with a knife and slide cake pop sticks down)

9.Add sprinkles if desired, and let cake pops cool completely. Pop in the freezer until it’s time to serve.

Share your recreation of these tasty treats with us using #MOWine