As the crisp autumn air begins to settle in and the leaves start to turn, there’s nothing quite like the comfort of a warm meal. This fall, let your crockpot become your best friend in the kitchen! Try out these Pork Chops with a White Wine & Mushroom sauce.

Ingredients: 

• 4 Boneless Pork Chops 
• Salt & Pepper to Taste 
• ½ c Missouri Dry Chardonel 
• ½ c Chicken Broth 
• ¼ c Heavy Cream 
• 2 Cloves of Garlic, Minced
• 1 tsp Dried Thyme 
• 1 c Sliced Mushrooms 
• Fresh Parsley, Chopped (optional, for garnish)

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 6-7 hours low / 3-4 hours high 

Instructions: 

1. Season the pork chops with salt and pepper. 
2. In a bowl, mix together the white wine, chicken broth, heavy cream, minced garlic, and dried thyme. 
3. Place the pork chops in the crockpot.
4. Pour the white wine mixture over the pork chops and top with mushrooms.
5. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
6. Serve the pork chops with the white wine and mushroom sauce from the crockpot, garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Serve with a refreshing glass of Chardonel and enjoy! 

Missouri port style wine can only be made better, with chocolate. Combine them and try out these decadent Port and Chocolate truffles!

Prep-time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 3 hours

Ingredients:

• 6 oz - Semisweet or Bittersweet Chocolate chips
• ½ cup - Heavy Cream
• 3 Tbsp - Missouri port style wine
• ½ cup - Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
• ½ cup - Chocolate Almond Bark

Steps:

1. Combine chocolate chips and heavy cream in bowl and melt on low heat in microwave or saucepan, stirring frequently.
2. When melted add into a bowl with wine and combine.
3. Refrigerate or chill in freezer until mixture is firm.
4. Place wax paper on a baking sheet. 
5. With a spoon or melon baller, scoop a half inch to an inch diameter size truffle. Roll them in the cocoa powder and place on wax paper.
6. Melt almond bark on low heat, stirring frequently. Use a spoon to drizzle chocolate onto truffles.
7. Freeze for 10 minutes and then enjoy!

Keep in the fridge and enjoy them alongside a glass of Missouri port style wine. Try out these delicious and easy to make port truffles!

“Starlight, starbright.”

A starlit sky shines brightly on the purple and pink night sky. In the side of a rocky cliff sits a patio that overlooks their property. Surrounded by multiple trees that sit along the fence line. The patio has become a special place for a sweet lady named Betty. At the end of each day, she would go out there and gaze at the beautiful starry night and recite this poem.

“Starlight, starbright, first star I see tonight. Wish I may, wish I might, have this wish I wish tonight!” This poem along with their loving memory of their mother sewed as an inspiration to the owners of Edg-Clif Farms & Vineyard. 

Steffie Littlefield and Cyndy Keesee, wanted to create a tribute to their sweet mother Betty. They couldn’t think of a better way than to dedicate this sweet, delightful wine to her. This wine is a hit among many. The flavors are derived from the blending of their two white grapes, Vignoles and Vidal Blanc. It is a heavenly blend that shines as brightly as the stars in the sky, apricots and citrus with a hint of honeysuckle. It is best when served chilled, and it pairs well with seafood, poultry and fresh herbs.

Their mother and the patio that is looking over the cliff is a charming memory that they hold dear and love to share with their friends. They have a photo featuring their mother walking the property in their tasting room. 

Edg-Clif Farms & Vineyard sits right outside of Potosi, Missouri. Be sure to stop by and try Starlight out for yourself while taking in the immaculate views. 
 

Attention, thrill-seekers and wine enthusiasts! Step into the enchanting realm of Missouri wine country, where vineyards offer more than just a delightful bottle of wine. Hidden within each winery lies a riddle, a mystery waiting for your keen mind to unravel. Are you up to the challenge? Be among the first three to crack these riddles and submit your answers via our survey, and a special prize awaits you!

1. I have a name derived from two, Al and Bonnie, it’s true. Nestled on a hillside high, overlooking a valley wide. An inn for guests to rest and stay, with a waterfront view to brighten their day. In a country of western Missouri I reside, a part of a wine trail, a journey to guide. 

2. In a place where spirits might give you a fright, a building reborn from its previous life. Above the wine, you can stay for the night, if you dare to face tales of ghostly strife. On TV it's shown, with stories to share, its eerie fame is beyond compare; can you guess this haunted winery?

3. I stand tall near a river's bluff, with views of a dome, stately and tough. My wine names sing of noble medieval lore, in vineyards and bottles, I'm adored. Who am I?

4. In central Missouri, this family thrives, their vineyard opened in twenty-sixteen’s lives. Old Testament names the boys proudly claim, and hidden within, a synonym for "beer" in their last name. A lady from "bourbon country" crafts their wine, with each bottle released, a taste so fine. Seasonal specials, a variety grand, can you name this winery nestled in the heartland? 

5. In fields where cattle used to roam, now two sisters call it home. Their labels speak of days gone by, with ranch icons that catch the eye. At farmer's markets, they make their stand, named for an iconic structure on their land. What family-owned winery am I?

6. I am a verdant place where vines do grow, not far from where KC's rivers flow. Among the grapes, sheep and chickens roam, keeping grass short in their vineyard home. Electric cars can find a charge here too, what green vineyard am I, can you construe?

7. I stand where valleys meet the sky, with views that take your breath away. Born in the year when disco was nigh, in a place where wine holds sway. My home, the first appellation pride, where clouds and vines together bloom, seek me there, where I reside, in a misty, cloud-kissed tasting room. What winery am I?

8. I am a place of love and cheer, where weddings happen year by year. A second generation runs the show, nestled where the suburbs grow. On a trail where wine is poured, with a vine in our logo adored. What am I, can you deduce? A venue where joy is let loose.

9. I house many places under one vast shade, where music’s grand echo is frequently made. In summer’s embrace, near waters that gleam, rooms to stay, and live out your dream. Where am I?

10. I am a place where fruits transform, in ways quite different from the norm. A "micro-winery" I proclaim to be, with wines named after family. To taste my craft, an appointment you'll make, for extraordinary fruit flavors, there's no mistake. Who am I, can you guess my name? A place where wine and kin are one and the same.

11. I offer a view where water meets the eye, for private events under the open sky. With Italian roots, my menu sings, specialty pizzas and all savory things. My landscape is sprawling, perfect for a spread, a picnic paradise where memories are fed. Reserve a firepit, cozy and bright, for you and your friends on a starry night. What winery am I?

Link to survey: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sv/8n7eQfE

Save your screw caps and use them to make a unique piece of art. Repurpose and reuse your screw caps instead of throwing them away. With just a few supplies make a beautiful conversation piece with your leftover screw caps!

Supplies:

• Vaseline
• 9-inch cake pan
• Contact Paper
• Screw Caps
• Bag of quickcrete
• Water
• 5 Gallon Bucket
• Trowel 
• Sponge

Steps:

1. Cut contact paper to shape of cake pan, and place design upside down on contact paper in cake pan or stone mold.
2. Apply even coating of Vaseline to your cake pan or stone mold.
3. Mix concrete according to bag instructions. 
4. Add concrete to the cake pan. Be sure to push down to fill any cracks with the concrete. Fill to brim of cake pan with cement.
5. Tap the sides of the cake pan with a mallet or hammer to release any air bubbles.
6. Let sit until cement is dry. Approximately 7-8 hours in the sun. Turn upside down and release carefully from the cake pan.
7. Wet a sponge and clean of the design!

Repurpose your old screw caps and share your final design with us using #mowineDIY

Fall is the perfect time for sharing moments with those closest to us. While we are at it, why don’t we share some of our favorite wines as well. Celebrate togetherness, community and wine by participating in Come on Over October. 

Wine and gatherings, the perfect pair for centuries. Find out more about this pair’s rich history at the link below!

https://www.comeoveroctober.com/wine-history-hitlist/

Come Over October is an initiative by Come Together - A Community for Wine Inc. Come Over October is a time to invite family and friends together to enjoy wine and comradery. It is the best of both worlds, being together with those you love, and wine!

Looking for some tips and tricks to host this October? Check out the link below for effortless hosting!

https://www.comeoveroctober.com/entertaining-tools-tips/

There are many different ways to celebrate. Simply plan a gathering with your friends. You can even plan an evening with themed wine choices or plan a night with easy food to match. Then you can celebrate the season and Come Over October.

While it always a great time to gather with others and sip wine, find out the reason for Come Over October at the link below!

https://www.comeoveroctober.com/why-this/

You can also celebrate at Missouri Wineries. Find the perfect Missouri Winery to celebrate at this October!

https://missouriwine.org/education/enjoy-wine/winery-search

Come Over October encourages slowing down and enjoying time with friends and family while sharing and creating memories and stories with wine!

Celebrate Come Over October with Missouri Wine!

Missouri wineries are as unique as they come, with a history of diverse and exceptional experiences. We’re delighted to introduce four new Missouri wineries, each with a special tale to tell. Find out what makes these new wineries remarkable!

King David Winery – Poplar Bluff

King David Winery is a must-visit destination. From their meticulously crafted wines to the warm and inviting atmosphere, every visit promises to be a delightful adventure. Explore their beautiful property and enjoy tastings in their classic tasting room. Discover why King David Winery is truly one-of-a-kind. 

Musket Cellars – Pleasant Hill 

Musket Cellars is a destination that radiates charm, making it a place you want to visit. Nestled amidst breathtaking scenery, the winery offers stunning views. Each bottle from Musket Cellars features a unique label that reflects the passion behind the winery. With a variety of seating options, there’s a perfect place for everyone to relax and enjoy. Come experience exceptional!

Ozark Hills Winery – Branson

Ozark Hills Winery is taking wine back to its roots with their signature selections, a shop brimming with local products and special events that celebrate the essence of winemaking. Enjoy the cozy indoor seating nooks and come immerse yourself in a truly unique wine experience! 

Triple 3 Vineyards – Washington 

Triple 3 Vineyards is the perfect destination for a memorable outing! Indulge in delicious food, savor great wines and enjoy live music in a vibrant atmosphere. With fun yard games and a spacious indoor tasting room, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Come experience the unique charm that Tripe 3 Vineyards has to offer.

As always keep traveling to Missouri wine country and be sure to add these four new ones to your list! Share your wine country adventures with us by using #MoWine!

Introducing our new blog series: Myth of the Month. Wine is an ever-evolving subject which means there is always something new to learn about it. This blog series will unravel these myths and help you deepen your knowledge about your favorite beverage!

For our first Myth of the Month, we uncork the truth behind the belief that screw caps are inferior to their cork counterparts. Find out the difference in these closure methods, and why so many wineries are putting their trust in the twist off tops.

The cherished ritual and iconic sound of popping a cork, may contribute to this belief. The joyous sound signals a celebratory moment and represents a rich tradition. Cork closures have been used for centuries, dating back to 3000 BC where they were found ancient Egyptian tombs. However, as the wine industry evolves, screw cap closures are becoming increasingly more common. South of the equator, both New Zealand and Australia advocated for the switch to twist off lids.

Corks can be beneficial for aging due to their slow oxygen transfer to the bottle, which can soften young tannins and further develop a wine’s aromas and flavor. However, corks are a natural product which means there is a possibility for quality issues. They can be inconsistent, which can in turn negatively impact the wine. 

On the other hand, screw caps prevent any oxygen exposure to the wine. Safeguarding the integrity of the wine, preserving flavors and aromas. Additionally, the ability to store upright and easily open are added benefits for screw cap wine.

Adam Puchta Winery in Hermann has recently transitioned to screw caps for many of their wines, primarily due to quality control concerns. Inconsistent cork quality not only jeopardized the wines' integrity but also added undue costs. Parker Puchta, the 7th Generation President, shared, “Screw caps on the other hand, offer, offer remarkable consistency and cost-efficiency, making them ideal for wines designed to be enjoyed within a few years. Additionally, they enhance our brand recognition—featuring a modern look that stands out on the shelf and eliminates the need for a corkscrew, making many of our wines more accessible to consumers and easy for staff during festivals. However, we still love the romantic appeal of a cork when it pops."

Overall, both corks and screw caps have their place in the wine industry. Even though screw caps are a relatively new arrival, the new technology has solved a century-old problem. 

Let us know what wine myth you want us to check out next!

Celebrate Missouri Wine Month by celebrating our varietals that turn into the wine we love. Keep reading to learn more about these delicious grapes!

Catawba (kuh-taw-ba): Catawba is a North American hybrid red grape that was likely discovered near the Catawba River in North Carolina, though its exact origin is disputed. Catawba is used in the production of pink and rose wines. Catawba provides sweet aromas with hints of garden-fresh strawberries. Sweet notes will be soft on the tongue with a floral and woodsy twist. Catawba produces a medium-bodied, sweet, fragrant, strawberry-like wine. This hardy grape thrives in humid summers and cold winters which makes it perfect for Missouri!

Visit our website for more information on varietals, pairings and recipes!

https://missouriwine.org/education/learn-the-basics/varietals/catawba

Chambourcin (sham-bor-san): Chambourcin is a red French American hybrid grape that competes for one of the world’s most popular hybrid grape varieties. It is known for its rich color that adds depth to many red blends. It is known as a teinturier grape (from the French word for “dye”) which is known for producing dark juice, rather than clear. Chambourcin is celebrated during the month of November. The nose will often pick up notes of cherry and it will taste earthy on the palate with strong notes of dark cherry. It is a smooth, medium-bodied wine with soft and subtle tannins. Something you may not know about this varietal is that Chambourcin is one of only a handful of grapes out of 1000+ varietals that produces a colored juice!

Visit our website for more information on varietals, pairings and recipes!

https://missouriwine.org/education/learn-the-basics/varietals/Chambourcin

Chardonel (shar-doe-nel): This wine can be fermented in oak or stainless-steel barrels. Chardonel is celebrated during the month of April. You can pick up pear, apple, apricot, and oak if aged in barrels. Chardonel is often full-bodied, rich, complex and crisp. The Chardonel grape was actually developed at Cornell University in 1953. It is a cross of the Chardonnay and Seyval Blanc grapes!

Visit our website for more information on varietals, pairings and recipes!

https://missouriwine.org/education/learn-the-basics/varietals/chardonel

Concord (kaan - kord): Concord is an American grape that was selected from the wild in the mid 1800s. Its name is appropriately chosen from its area of origin, Concord, Massachusetts. It is considered a ‘slip skin’ grape because its skins are easily separated from the pulp during the winemaking process. Concord is celebrated during the month of July. The tastes and aromas that can be enjoyed in a glass of traditional grape juice, and you can depict what will be found in a glass of Concord. Concord is a robust medium-bodied wine that is soft and balanced. Believe it or not, Concord grape demand continued to grow with the invention of a lunchtime favorite and World War II ration – the peanut butter and jelly sandwich!

Visit our website for more information on varietals, pairings and recipes!

https://missouriwine.org/education/learn-the-basics/varietals/concord

Norton (nore-tuhn): Norton holds the honor of the official Missouri state grape as an American grape found in 1835 near Richmond, Virginia. As the premium red wine grape in Missouri, Norton is a rich red wine that combines flavors of spice, vanilla, chocolate notes and layered with fruit flavors of berries, ripe cherries and currants. It is a bold, full-bodied and complex dry red wine. The Norton grape is named after Dr. Daniel Norborne Norton. Dr. Norton was experimenting with crossing breeds of grapes and developed the Norton grape!

Visit our website for more information on varietals, pairings and recipes!

https://missouriwine.org/education/learn-the-basics/varietals/norton

Seyval Blanc (say-vahl-blahnc): Seyval Blanc is a French American hybrid grape that makes a dry to semi-dry, clean, crisp medium-bodied wine with an herbal, fresh flavor. When it is barrel fermented, it can take on an oak complexity indicative of Chardonel. You can pick up herbal spices, pear and oak (if fermented in barrels). Seyval Blanc is a medium-bodied, clean and crisp. Seyval Blanc grapes are versatile enough to be used in making many different wine styles!

Visit our website for more information on varietals, pairings and recipes!

https://missouriwine.org/education/learn-the-basics/varietals/seyval-blanc

Traminette (tra-men-et): Traminette ranges from dry to semi-dry or even semi-sweet. This medium-bodied white wine is similar to its parent Gewürztraminer. Its floral aromas are met with citrus fruit, a tangy acidity and a touch of spice on the end. This fun, complex wine is great for a lunch outing or appetizers. Experience floral aromas with tangy citrus and light spice, in this light-bodied, complex and acidic wine. This grape is a high-producing varietal!

Visit our website for more information on varietals, pairings and recipes!

https://missouriwine.org/education/learn-the-basics/varietals/traminette

Vidal Blanc (vee-dahl-blahnc): Vidal Blanc was developed by a French grape breeder in the 1930s and has since found a home in Missouri wine country. This grape is often produced as a single varietal wine that varies from dry to semi-dry and is sometimes used in blends and produced as a sweet, dessert-style sparkling wine. Vidal Blanc is harvested during the early fall. Vidal Blanc is processed as a white wine and not fermented on the skins. Vidal Blanc is celebrated during the month of June. Taste pear, apple, citrus and other fruits in this medium-bodied, crisp and clean wine. Vidal Blanc is a popular varietal for producing ice wines!

Visit our website for more information on varietals, pairings and recipes!

https://missouriwine.org/education/learn-the-basics/varietals/vidal-blanc

Vignoles (veen-yole): Vignoles is one of Missouri’s most versatile white grapes and a popular cultivar grown in the Midwest. It produces wines that have range from dry, to sweet, to late harvest dessert wines. Vignoles' crowd-pleasing capabilities and versatility make it an incredibly popular choice among the wine-buying public. Vignoles is celebrated during the month of August. Taste tropical fruits like pineapple, peach and apricot, sometimes citrus and floral notes in this popular medium-bodied, crisp and flavorful. While Vignoles sounds French, this grape varietal is mostly grown in North America!

Visit our website for more information on varietals, pairings and recipes!

https://missouriwine.org/education/learn-the-basics/varietals/vignoles

No matter which Missouri varietal is your favorite, be sure to celebrate Missouri Wine Month!

If you are looking for a specific grape varietal to enjoy, check out our 2024 Missouri Governor’s Cup Wine Competition results here!