May 16 is Mimosa Day and what better way to celebrate than to add your favorite sparkling Missouri wine to one of these delicious recipes.

Blueberry Lemonade Mimosa

Blushing Mimosa

Cherry Bomb Mimosas

Dole Whip Mimosa

Guava Mint Mimosa

Lemon Sorbet Mimosa

Mango Mimosa

Mermaid Mimosa

Mimosa Coladas

Mimosa Sangria

Mimosa Smoothie

Paloma Mimosa

Pineapple Strawberry Mimosa

Pink Mimosa

Summer Crush Mimosas

Tequila Sunrise Mimosas

Watermelon Mimosa

We hope we’ve inspired you to grab a bottle (or bottles) of award-winning Missouri sparkling wine and whip up a fun, refreshing mimosa!

Canned wine – what once was a novel idea has become more mainstream and continues to grow in popularity among wine consumers. Several Missouri wineries now offer a select number of their wines in a convenient can. This smaller container is easier to transport than its glass counterpart and won’t break if it slips out of your hand. These smaller servings are great to mix and match.

*The following information was collected from wineries that responded to a survey and may not be a representation of all the canned wines available in the state.

KC Wineworks

KC Wineworks debuted their Show Me Sangria in August 2018. The winery’s white wine-based sangria features Missouri grapes with natural fruit juices and zero added sugar. The sangria is pasteurized and shelf-stable.

Les Bourgeois Vineyards

Les Bourgeois Vineyards cans two of their most popular wines, Riverboat Red and Riverboat White. Available for a limited time, the winery’s red wine features a tantalizing concord blend with aromas of raspberry and cherry, while their white wine has a bouquet of honeysuckle and hints of honeydew and lush tropical fruit. The winery has also started to offer their longtime favorite, Captain’s Coolers, in a can. Reminisce your favorite A-Frame memories at home with their Bonfire Berry or Citrus Cruise.

Pirtle Winery

Pirtle Winery offers a few favorites in a convenient 4-pack: Weston Bend White, a semi-dry blend that is light, fragrant and fruity; Weston Bend Rosé, a crisp and refreshing semi-dry favorite; and their bestseller, Mellow Red, a semi-sweet red blend that is soft and fruity. The winery plans to can their hard cider later this spring.

Shawnee Bluff Winery

Shawnee Bluff Winery offers two canned wines including their sweet rosé. A canned wine is the perfect addition to a lake view sunset or for an upbeat concert at their vineyard location.

St. James Winery

Photo courtesy of St. James Winery

St. James Winery recently added several canned wine options to their list. Included are sparkling versions of their internationally awarded 100% fruit wines. There are four flavors to choose from: Blackberry, Peach, Strawberry and Mango. Each one is sweet, effervescent and made with no added colors or flavors. Visitors will also have the opportunity to purchase canned dry rosé when in the tasting room.

So, pop the top on canned wine from these wineries in the Show-Me State. You might just find a new favorite!

Who couldn’t use a little liquid joy these days? This colorful delight will brighten up your happy hour this week. Be sure to include these simple ingredients to your next online grocery order.

Serving size: Party of One

Ingredients:

2 oz Pineapple juice
2 oz Missouri white wine
2 oz Rum
Splash of lemon lime or club soda
Lime wedge - squeezed
Pineapple
Strawberries

Directions:

Combine equal parts pineapple juice, wine and rum in beverage shaker. We used Vidal Blanc but Vignoles would also be a great choice. If these two wines aren’t a staple in your wine rack, many Missouri wineries are offering fabulous shipping deals. Squeeze a wedge of lime into the mixture, add ice and shake out your frustrations. Pour the concoction into a glass, drop in whatever tropical fruit you have on hand and top off with a splash of Sprite. 

This is the perfect addition for your beach themed staycation!

Pro tip: You can use the juice from canned pineapple in a pinch.

It’s impossible for thank our mothers for everything they do for us, but Mother's Day is a great opportunity to show our gratitude. If your mom is a Missouri wine fan, here are some wonderful DIY gift ideas she’ll adore. After all, handmade gifts have a special place in a mother’s heart, right?

For the moms out there who love to sit outside and soak in the fresh air, make a set of wine bottle Tiki Torches.

This DIY wine rack is an easy project that is perfect for the Missouri wine loving mom!

For the more experienced crafters, this wine bottle table would be a welcome gift in any mother’s home.

Wine bottle wall mounted vases are perfect for the moms who are avid gardeners. They’re a beautiful way to display flowers.

If your mother is a big reader or maybe even a writer, she’ll love a handmade wine cork letter or symbol like this cool ampersand.  

Here’s to all the moms out there. Cheers! 

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.  

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! 

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! 

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!