The holiday season is here, and wine is for more than just sips! Check out this unique and festive wine glass centerpiece. It is sure to impress and make a statement this holiday season!

Supplies

• 3 wine glasses of varying heights
• 3 small candles
• Placemat or stand
• Christmas ornaments
• Other greenery or Christmas décor of choosing
• Ribbon is optional

Directions

1. Place ornaments inside wine glass, then turn upside down and set on platform or placemat.
2. Arrange other Christmas décor how you would like, place some on the base of the wine glass.
3. Place candles on top of the foot of the glasses.
4. When your event or gathering is about to start, light the candles.

Celebrate the season the right way, with all things wine!

Share your wine décor with us using #mowine

The wine says dry, but it tastes sweet. What is happening? Are my tastebuds broken? No, they are not! Many times, you may think a wine labeled dry is actually sweet, but this is not the case. Today we are busting the myth that some wines still taste sweet, but they are actually dry wines.

Residual sugar determines the sweetness of a wine. Winemakers control the residual sugar in their wines depending on type, style and their end goal for the product. The more residual sugar, the sweeter the wine. 

With dry wines, residual sugar levels are non-existent or low, which gives the wine the dry quality. So why do some dry wines, seem to taste sweet?

Fruit. Some grape varietals are very fruit forward. Meaning that they have notes of fruits. These fruit notes can cause a wine that is actually dry, to taste sweeter. It is the perception of your tastebuds, because fruit is associated with sweetness.

So, your tastebuds are not broken, some wines are just more fruit forward than others. A good example is a Missouri favorite, Vignoles. While Vignoles is made ranging from dry to sweet styles, it is a wine with a lot of fruit notes, specifically tropical fruit. This causes some people to taste a sweeter wine, even if it is actually a dry wine.

Myth busted!

Fall is here and Winter is on its way. Get ready for the Holiday season and impress your guests with these 4 Seasonal Wine Cocktails!

Chambourcin Blackberry Fizz 

• .5 oz lemon juice
• 1 oz bourbon
• .5 oz simple syrup
• 1.5 oz Missouri Chambourcin
• 3 blackberries
• Sparkling water

1. Combine lemon juice, bourbon, simple syrup, wine. Stir or shake until sugar has dissolved.
2. Stir in whole blackberries and lemon slices
3. Top with sparkling water before serving.
   1. Add ice if you prefer.

Chardonel Apple Cider 

• ½ bottle of Missouri Chardonel
• 2 cups of apple cider
• 1/4 cup Fireball Whiskey
• 1 Tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 sliced apple
• 1 sliced orange 

1. Combine the wine, cider, whiskey, maple syrup, and vanilla extract in a large pot and whisk to combine.
2. Place pot on the stove over medium heat and add the sliced apples and oranges.
3. Bring the mixture to a light simmer and continue simmering for 20 minutes.
4. Remove the pot from heat.
5. Ladle the wine into mugs and garnish with cinnamon stick, sliced apples and oranges.

Mimosa Cocktail

• 4 sugar cubes
• 1 bottle Angostura bitters
• 1 bottle Missouri Sparkling
• 1oz Orange Juice
• Lemon twist, for garnish

1. Start off by taking a single sugar cube, and while holding it over the opening of a bottle of Angostura bitters, invert the bottle so that some bitters soak directly into the sugar.

2. Drop the cube into the bottom of a chilled Champagne flute and then fill the glass with orange juice and Sparkling wine.

3. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Christmas Wine Spritzer

• 1 bottle Missouri Vidal Blanc
• 3 cups cranberry juice
• 3 cups ginger ale
• 1 cup cranberries
• Mint

1. In a large pitcher combine white wine and cranberry juice until well combined.
2. When ready to serve, pour over ice, top with ginger ale, cranberries and mint.

Whether you are celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas, or just the season, these wine tails are sure to impress! Share your wine tails with us using #mowine

Happy Wine Tourism Day! There is no better time to explore Missouri Wine Country than right now! Celebrate the people, places and pours that make Missouri special!

Explore our Travel Resources at https://missouriwine.org/missouri-wine-trip-planner.

Everything you need to plan your next adventure, all in one spot! Check out our trip planners for a detailed list of lodging, experiences, wineries and more in your favorite wine regions!

Check out the Events happening in wine country at https://missouriwine.org/calendar.

Looking to truly immerse yourself in wine country? Look no further than our calendar of events. From live music, unique tastings and more, there is something for everyone!

See the full list of Missouri AVA’s at https://missouriwine.org/education/learn-the-basics/wine-regions.

Visit our AVA’s where the climate, soil and history come together to create unforgettable sips! Missouri is home to 5 American Viticultural Areas, including Augusta, the first AVA in the U.S.!

Hop on the Missouri Wine Trails at https://missouriwine.org/education/enjoy-wine/missouri-wine-trails.

Looking to get the most out of your visit to wine country? Check out Missouri’s wine trails! Once in a lifetime experiences, events and of course wine wait for you!

See just how big Missouri Wines Economic Impact is at https://missouriwine.org/education/galleries/image-gallery.

Missouri Wine makes a big impact. Check out the numbers to see just how big of an impact this industry makes!

No matter how you are wanting to celebrate Wine Tourism Day with us, we have the resources for you! 

Share your Wine Tourism Day celebration with us using #mowine.

Hosting guests for the holidays is something that can be fun and exciting but potentially a nerve-racking experience. Adding wine can enhance the experience and create memorable moments for your guests. Consider incorporating wine pairings that complement your menu. Offering a variety of wines ensures that there is something to suit every palate. 

To make your holiday celebration even more special, consider starting some new traditions. 

• Incorporating a new wine each year
• A blind wine tasting challenge
• Table tent or menus with wine and food pairing suggestions

Let us help make it easy when it comes to setting the table! Setting the table correctly always adds a touch of elegance to your holiday feast. The basic rule is to place utensils in the order they will be used, working from the outside in. Forks go to the left of the plate, with the salad fork on the outermost left. Knives are placed to the right of the plate, with the blade facing inward. Spoons go to the right of the knives. The wine glass should be positioned above the knives, slightly to the right. For a more formal setting, additional wine glasses can be added for different courses. 

As the holidays continue to get closer be sure to check out Missouri Wineries websites for special wine deals. Whenever you are having Missouri wine this holiday season be sure to share it with us on your social media by using #mowine!

Looking for something to warm you up from the inside out? Try this lazy lasagna soup to do just that! 

Time: 40 minutes 

Ingredients: 

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 cup Missouri Chambourcin
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 can crushed tomatoes
• 4 cups of vegetable broth
• 6 oz lasagna noodles, broken into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
• ½ cup of ricotta cheese
• Salt & pepper to taste 

Instructions: 

1. In a deep pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent. Stir in minced garlic, dried oregano, basil, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Cook until fragrant.
2. Add tomato paste and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring often.
3. Poor in the Missouri Chambourcin along with the balsamic vinegar. Simmer for 3-4 minutes, letting the flavors and liquid reduce.
4. Stir in the crushed tomatoes and vegetable broth. Season with salt and pepper. Bring soup to a boil.
5. Once boiling, add the broken lasagna noodles. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook uncovered for 10-12 minutes or until the noodles are tender, stirring occasional to prevent sticking.
6. Reduce heat to low. Stir in mozzarella, parmesan, and ricotta cheese. Mix gently until melted and creamy.

Let us know when you try it by sharing it with us using #mowine!

Missouri wineries are stepping into the spotlight, not just in quality but on screens and stages too! Everything from tv shows, to showcasing local vineyards. They are making their mark in pop culture. Let’s uncork the wines behind these cameos and celebrate all the Missouri wineries making it BIG! 

1. Lights, Cameras, Wine! Les Bourgeois Vineyards has 2 Hollywood features.
   1. Les Bourgeois Vineyards Norton made a cameo in the movie Gone Girl. Next time you watch, keep an eye out for Missouri’s own!
   2. Les Bourgeois Vineyards Bistro was the setting for an episode of House Hunters.
2. From the Vineyards to the Stars
   1. LaChance Vineyards provided wine in the Grammy gift bags. It’s always great to see Missouri wines gaining national recognition.
3. Missouri Wine gets a laugh!
   1. Saturday Night Live has mentioned Missouri wines during a skit! All publicity is good publicity.
4. Holiday Cheer with a Missouri Twist
   1. Wine centric Hermann, Missouri was the spot for a perfect cozy Christmas movie! Adding small town charm nationwide. Hermannhof Winery and Adam Puchta Winery were lucky enough to be featured!
5. Queer Eye loves KC Wine
   1. When Queer Eye visited Kansas City, they showcased Amigoni Winery! It’s always great to see local favorites getting traction on the big stage.
6. Wild Sun Winery & Brewery Shines on Screen
   1. Wild Sun’s dry Rosé got a shout-out in Hollywood Darlings. 

Missouri wineries have had great moments in pop culture. Each and every Missouri winery is putting in the work earning their place for the next spotlight feature. Next time you are sipping on a Missouri wine, remember you’re enjoying a taste of home that is capturing attention across the nation. 

Let us know where you have seen Missouri wines featured using #mowine!