Spring is just around the corner so add these easy Pineapple BBQ Meatballs to your weekly dinner rotation and you are sure to quickly become the fan favorite! This recipe incorporates the perfect blend of tangy and sweet that will leave everyone wanting more.

Ingredients:

Meatballs

• 1 pound ground beef 
• 1 large onion (chopped) 
• 1 cup of finely cut pineapple or canned crushed pineapple
• 1 large egg 
• 1 scallion (finely chopped) 
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic  
• 3 tablespoons breadcrumbs 
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds 
• 1 handful cilantro (chopped) 
• Salt and pepper to taste 
• Oil 

Instructions: 

• Preheat oven to 410 degrees. 
• Place all ingredients into a large bowl besides the oil. Using a handheld mixer, mix very well until everything is evenly incorporated and sticks together. 
• Shape meatballs and place them on a lightly oiled baking sheet. 
• Bake the meatballs for 10-12 minutes or until browned (165 degrees) and no longer pink in the middle. 

Ingredients:

      Sauce 

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 
• 1/3 cup diced shallots 
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic 
• 2 tablespoons chili powder 
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 
• 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard 
• 1 cup red wine (concord) 
• 1 cup ketchup 

Instructions: 

• While meatballs are cooking place olive oil and shallots into a saucepan set to medium heat until translucent. Turn down heat if you see browning. Add garlic and cook for 2 additional minutes. Stir occasionally and watch out for browning. 
• Into the saucepan add the chili powder, cayenne pepper and dry mustard and stir constantly, for one minute. 
• Add in the red wine and turn heat up to high. Bring the wine to a boil then reduce heat to simmer for about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. 
• Add ketchup and bring back up to a simmer again while stirring for about 5 minutes then remove from heat.
• Pour on top of meatballs and serve. 

Serve these as an appetizer or a main course. The combination of juicy pineapple and rich BBQ sauce creates a delightful flavor that is hard to resist. So, as the days get longer and warmer, bring a taste of summer to your table with these delicious meatballs.

Have you ever heard someone swirl a glass of wine and comment on its "legs"? You might wonder if wine has legs like we do, and what they could possibly signify.  Join us as we swirl, observe, and find out about those streaks on the inside of your glass. 

To see your wine's legs, pour your favorite Missouri wine into a glass, swirl, set it down, and observe the wine as it gracefully cascades down the side of the glass. Are the legs far apart? Are they thick or skinny? How fast do they fall? The sight can be mesmerizing, almost like watching a tiny, elegant dance.

Despite their captivating appearance, wine legs are not an indicator of much. Many believe that the size, distance apart, and speed of wine legs can signify a lower or higher alcohol content. While occasionally the legs might provide a hint, they are not a reliable way to determine alcohol content. If you're curious about the alcohol content of your wine, the most straightforward method is to simply check the label!

At the end of the day, we may not learn much from wine legs, but they remain a fascinating phenomenon to many wine enthusiasts. 

Next time you pour a glass and swirl, don't stress about what wine legs might mean. Instead, admire their beauty and enjoy the sensory experience of your wine. Let each glass be a moment of relaxation, a pause in the rush of life, and a celebration of the simple joys.

Share a picture of your wine’s legs using #mowine

All your planning resources in one spot. Plan your trip anywhere in Missouri Wine Country! From Augusta to Branson and Kansas City to Hermann, find everything you need from dining, shopping and more. Our new Interactive Trip Planner has it all!

Interactive Trip Planner

Once you click on the link, select where in Missouri Wine Country you want to go, or keep scrolling to checkout all the diverse options.

Don’t forget to share your travel adventures in Missouri Wine Country with us using #mowine

Happy Aromas Day! Today, we invite you to explore the scents of Missouri's vineyards. From an earthy Norton to a floral Traminette, we have the fragrance for you! In honor of Aromas Day, we’ve curated a selection of Missouri wine aromas for you to explore. Depending on which Missouri Wines aromas you enjoy the most, find a perfume or fragrance to match! Cheers to a day of delightful discoveries!

Catawba – Burberry Her Eau de Parfum

• Fresh picked berries, strawberries

Chambourcin – Tom Ford Lost Cherry

• Cherries and light oak

Chardonel – Royal Oud Creed

• Inside of barrel or hint of lemon, depending

Concord – Demeter Jelly Doughnut

• Grape jelly, typical grape smell

Norton – Black Opium

• Darker berries and a little spice

Seyval Blanc – Nina Ricci L’air Du Temps

• Herbaceous

Traminette – White Diamonds by Elizabeth Taylor

• Fresh flowers

Vidal Blanc – Givency L’interdit

• Summer garden

Vignoles – CK One

• Tropical fruit

Now you can enjoy the aromas of Missouri Wine Country every day! Immerse yourself in the delightful aromas of Missouri Wine Country every day! Explore these captivating fragrances and, the next time you pour a glass, savor the enchanting bouquet just as much as you relish each sip.

View Wine Market Council Research topics here!

There’s a common belief that all Missouri wines are sweet, but that’s far from the truth! While many people associate Missouri wines with sweetness, the reality is much more diverse. 

Missouri’s wine scene has grown tremendously, offering a wide range of styles from dry to sweet. One way to understand the sweetness level of a wine is by checking the labels on the back to see if they feature a sweetness scale which indicated where the wine falls on the spectrum. This scale helps you choose a wine that matches your taste preferences, whether you love a dry, crisp white or a fruity, sweet red. Missouri wineries have a wine for you! 

When talking about wine, residual sugar is a term you may hear. Residual sugar refers to the sugar that remains in the wine after fermentation. During this process yeast converts the sugars in grape juice into alcohol and carbon dioxide. However, not all the sugars are converted into alcohol, and the leftover sugar is what is referred to as residual sugar. The amount of leftover sugar in the wine is what determines the sweetness level.

Sweet wines have a great opportunity when being paired with foods. Spicy food and sweet wines make a fantastic pair because the sweetness in the wine can balance out the heat from the spices. The harmony between sweet and spicy creates a delightful dining experience, allowing the flavors of both the food and wine to shine without one overpowering the other. Whenever you’re having something spicy, try pairing it with a sweet wine for the perfect match!

So, next time you’re exploring Missouri wines, don’t let the myth of sweetness limit your choices. Need help discovering what type of wine you like? Try our Palate Profile Tool! Dive into the different Missouri varietals and discover the amazing dry options available. Cheers to finding your perfect pour! 

In a world that often feels rushed and impersonal, acts of kindness can make a profound difference. Here in Missouri, wineries exemplify this spirit of generosity by giving back to causes that matter the most to their communities. Missouri’s wineries are not just producing exceptional wines, but they are deeply rooted in the community and committed to making a positive impact. Wineries use events and wines to support causes close to their hearts. 

Stone Hill Winery

Ozark Hellbender

Stone Hill Winery is a proud partner of the Saint Louis Zoo’s efforts to bring awareness to the endangered hellbender. Hellbenders are the largest aquatic salamanders in North America. They are found only in the Ozark streams of southern Missouri and northern Arkansas. A portion of the proceeds from every bottle of Stone Hill Winery’s Ozark Hellbender sold is donated to the Saint Louis Zoo and hellbender conservation.

The Great Beast Feast 

An annual fundraiser held in December for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS), 100% of money raised including ticket sales are donated to LLS. The night features wild game appetizers, dinner, raffles, silent and live auctions!

Wenwood Winery 

Sweet Corky 

Thomas Kalb and Laura Neese donate a portion of the sales from their Sweet Corky, an ice wine style with pear, to Unchained Melodies Dog Rescue of Columbia. The wine is named in memory of their late winery dog, Corky.

Wenwood Winery

Woof Fest 

Wenwood's annual Wine & Canine Extravaganza - no perfect pedigrees required. The winery supports of Fear FreeTM, Leaders in Animal Wellbeing, and they encourage all our pet-loving friends to check out their philosophies at fearfreehappyhomes.com. The winery will have fun info for you, and ways to make sure your dog is comfortable during their event, as you enjoy time with your 4-legged best friends on Fest day! The $10 entry fee goes entirely to support local animal wellbeing nonprofits. 

Missouri wineries unwavering support for various causes demonstrates that acts of kindness, no matter how big or small, can create ripples of positive change. Next time you raise a glass of Missouri wine, remember that you’re not just savoring a delightful beverage but you’re also toasting to a community that cares. 

Hey pizza lovers! National Pizza Day is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than by pairing your favorites slices with some delicious Missouri wines? Whether you’re a fan of the classics or adventurous with toppings, there’s a perfect wine waiting to elevate your pizza experience. Grab a slice (or two) and let’s dive into the world of pizza and wine! 

There you have it! Take this National Pizza Day, elevate your pizza game with these perfect Missouri wine pairings! Whether you’re celebrating with friends, or enjoying a date night in, these combinations are sure to make your pizza party a hit! Grab your favorite slice, pour a glass of wine, and toast to the delicious duo of pizza and wine. Cheers to tasty slices and delightful sips!