In July the days are warmer and longer, making it just the right time to sit back and sip a glass of Missouri Concord. Take in the sweetness of the wine and summertime. July is Concord Month and this American grape is being celebrated all throughout the “Show Me” State. 

Concord is known for a candy-like sweetness and aromas of grape jam. This red wine is served chilled and hits the spot on a hot day. Looking for food to pair with this sweet summer sipper? Peanut butter, milk chocolate, aged cheese, and barbecue beef all pair perfectly with a glass of Missouri Concord. It’s also a great addition to baked goods. Find out more about baking with wine here. 

There are 136+ acres of Concord, AKA Vitis Labruscana, grown in Missouri wine country. That accounts for about 8 percent of all the wine grapes grown in the state. Vintners like Concord because it’s hardy and can stand up to our demanding weather patterns. Consumers like it because it’s a delicious, fun wine that’s great for casual, summer sipping. 

Grab a glass and join the celebration of July as Concord Month in Missouri! 

The Fourth of July, AKA Independence Day, holiday is right around the corner, and we’ve got some great ideas for how you can add award-winning Missouri wines to your celebration. 

1. Go to a winery – This is maybe the simplest way. There are 130+ wineries in the “Show Me” State and many will host special events throughout the holiday weekend. Visit your favorite local winery or discover a new one. 
2. Host a 4th of July soiree like a pro – We’ve made a survival guide to help you host the best Independence Day get-together your friends and family have ever seen. 
3. Become the true grill master – To many grilling is and art-form. Take your grill skills to the next level by pairing your charbroiled favorites with the perfect local wine. The MO Wine Grill-out Guide is all you need to make the best matches. 
4. Whip up a batch of sangria – Sangria is fruity, delicious, and best of all… completely customizable. Whether you follow a recipe like this one for Red, White and Blue Sangria, or build your own, consider making a double batch. Everyone loves sangria! 

Happy Independence Day from Missouri Wines. Cheers! 

June is Vidal Blanc Month in Missouri wine country, and it’s the perfect wine to kick off summer with a splash. Vidal Blanc is crisp and refreshing, and it pairs well with all your fresh summer favorites like salads, seafood and citrus fruit. There are so many great food and wine pairings for Missouri Vidal Blanc wines. Use this guide to help you decide what to eat with Vidal Blanc. 

Sitting on a patio soaking in the sunshine and a warm breeze while sipping a glass of award-winning local wine… yeah that sounds like a great way to spend a summer day. Don’t let this Missouri summer slip away without checking these seasonal favorites off your bucket list. 

1. Discover a new winery – Missouri is home to 130+ wineries. There’s bound to be one or 20 you haven’t had the opportunity to visit yet. 
2. Go on a wine trail – There are ten wine trails across the state. Some are hosting special events during the summer, all offer unique experiences. 
3. Become a MO wine MVP – You can earn points that are redeemable for rewards just for visiting local wineries.
4. Perfect your sangria recipe – Sangria can be customized for any season, but there’s nothing better than a chilled glass of fruit-filled sangria on a hot summer day. 
5. Sip and sway to some live tunes – Many local wineries feature live music on the weekends during the summer. Sit back and enjoy while you sip on a glass of award-winning wine. 
6. Take the train to wine country – All aboard! Are you ready for a great getaway? 
7. Attend a wine festival – There are wine festivals, walks and strolls scattered all throughout the state. Find one near you. They’re a great way to get to try wines from several wineries all in one place. 
8. Indulge in a bowl of wine ice cream – This recipe couldn’t be easier, and it’s beyond delicious! 

This isn’t an exhaustive list of all the fun ways to enjoy Missouri wine and wine country during the summer, but let it serve as the start of your “Savor Summer Bucket List”. Cheers! 

 
Prep time- 5 minutes | Total time- 3-4 hours 
Servings- 3-4 

Ingredients- 
¾  cup        dry, fruity Missouri white wine (We used a Vidal Blanc)
4 tbsp        super-fine sugar (find it in the baking aisle or make it)
1 ¼ cup    heavy whipping cream 

Directions- 
-    In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the super fine sugar into the wine until completely dissolved.
-    Slowly whisk the cream into the wine and sugar mixture until it begins to thicken, about 2-3 minutes. 
-    Pour the mixture into a freezer safe container.
-    Freeze for 3-4 hours.
-    Scoop and enjoy. Try topping with fresh fruit for a little extra refreshing goodness. 

*Note: If you choose to use a sweeter wine, decrease the amount of sugar added to taste. 

Missouri summers can get pretty steamy. Cool off with a bowl of delicious wine ice cream. It’s easy to make and a refreshing treat on a hot summer day. This recipe can be made with any of your favorite Missouri wines, but we chose a crisp and fruity Vidal Blanc and it turned out great. 

 
Easy, 3 Ingredient Wine Ice Cream Recipe
Prep time- 5 minutes | Total time- 3-4 hours 
Servings- 3-4 

Ingredients- 
¾  cup        dry, fruity Missouri white wine (We used a Vidal Blanc)
4 tbsp        super-fine sugar (find it in the baking aisle or make it)
1 ¼ cup    heavy whipping cream 

Directions- 
-    In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the super fine sugar into the wine until completely dissolved.
-    Slowly whisk the cream into the wine and sugar mixture until it begins to thicken, about 2-3 minutes. 
-    Pour the mixture into a freezer safe container.
-    Freeze for 3-4 hours.
-    Scoop and enjoy. Try topping with fresh fruit for a little extra refreshing goodness. 

*Note: If you choose to use a sweeter wine, decrease the amount of sugar added to taste. 

Fathers’ Day, that special day to celebrate the man… the myth… the legend, is right around the corner. Treat him to an unforgettable day in Missouri wine country. No matter what your dear ol’ dad is into, you’ll find it at one of the 130+ wineries across the “Show Me” State. 

Many wineries are hosting special events to honor pops such as barbecues, live music, wine-pairing dinners, and more. Take Dad to a winery and let him sit back and relax. He deserves it! 

If your father is a beer fan too, there are several wineries that also brew beer, and those that don’t brew it themselves often have local options on tap. Give him the best of both worlds in Missouri wine country this Fathers’ Day! 

Rolling vineyards, beautiful countryside, and delicious, award-winning wine straight from the source… it doesn’t get much better than a Missouri winery wedding. The setting is idyllic, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the theme is built-in. With more than 130 wineries in the state, you’re sure to find the ideal venue for your big day. The hardest part is narrowing it down to just one. Here are some ideas to help you plan the perfect winery wedding from start to finish. 

Engagement Photos: Wineries are incredibly picturesque. Take your engagement photos onsite in the vineyard, barn, or historic cellars (just to name a few of the great options you’ll find at local wineries). 

Invitations: Set the stage for your wedding’s theme with the invitations. 

(Photo credit: Wedding Paper Divas, DesignUnfurls, Rebecca Green Designs) 

Ceremony Ideas: Utilize a rustic wine barrel as your altar and include wine in your ceremony with a love letter wine box. 

(Photo credit: stylemepretty.com, The Paper Walrus)

Guestbook Alternatives: Rather than a traditional guestbook, have guests sign bottles of wine for you and your partner to enjoy on special anniversaries. (Make sure you use a wine that will age well, like a Norton or port-style wine.) Or have guests sign corks that you can use for a craft or display in your home after the wedding. 

(Photo credit: TheDoodleCoop, WeddingDepot) 

Centerpieces: There are almost endless options for centerpieces incorporating wine bottles, glasses and corks. Find a great collection of ideas to spark your inspiration here. 

(Photo credit: HappyWedd)

Favors: There are tons of great ideas for favors that fit the winery wedding theme... bottle stoppers, cork coasters, custom grape jam… and many more. 

(Photo credit: UrbanLoftTampa, HappyWedd)

We hope these ideas help inspire you while you plan your perfect vineyard wedding in Missouri wine country! 

The great outdoors are calling. When you head out for your next Missouri camping adventure, remember these tips for enjoying wine while communing with nature. 

• Ditch the bottle. If you’re really roughing it and don’t want the weight of wine bottles, transfer your wine to a re-sealable container like a beverage pouch. Some local wineries already sell wine in pouches. 
• Don’t forget the corkscrew. If you do bring wine in the bottle, don’t forget the corkscrew or go with a Missouri wine that has a twist-off closure. 
• Opt for silicone or plastic wine glasses. Avoid breakable, hard-to-pack wine glasses. 
• Mix up sangria concentrate before you leave. Build your sangria base (fruit, wine, liquor, juice) ahead of time and store in a sealed jar or bottle. Then just add soda or sparkling water to it as you go. Here’s one recipe to try, but the great thing about sangria is how customizable it is. 
• Turn wine corks into fire-starters. Natural cork soaked at least 24 hours in rubbing alcohol is great for getting those campfires going. Click here for instructions. 

We hope these tips and tricks help you enjoy some local vino on your next Missouri camping adventure! 

*Bonus* If you’re more into glamping, check out [these ideas]. 

June is Vidal Blanc Month because we can’t think of a better way to kick off summer than with a crisp, refreshing glass. It’s the perfect white wine for poolside sipping or backyard grilling!

Vidal Blanc, served chilled, is wonderful on a warm June day. It smells like a fresh summer garden and tastes like apple and citrus fruits. It pairs well with all your favorite summertime fare like seafood, chicken, fresh green salads, basil and melon.

Vidal Blanc is one of Missouri’s premier white wine grapes. The 110 acres of Vidal Blanc grapes account for 6.5 percent of the grapes grown in the “Show Me” State and contribute to the Missouri wine industry’s overall $1.76 billion economic impact on the state annually. Local winemakers favor Vidal Blanc for its hardiness as well as its versatility. 

Not only can this French-American hybrid grape stand up to the demanding weather of Missouri’s cold winters and hot, humid summers, it is also extremely versatile and is used to make a wide range of delicious, award-winning wines. You’ll find Vidal Blanc wines in styles ranging from crisp, dry white wines, to refreshing sparkling wines, to luscious late harvest dessert wines.

Missouri’s Vidal Blanc is the perfect way to splash into summer. With more than 130 wineries and 10 wine trails in Missouri wine country, what are you waiting for? Head out to a nearby winery and get a taste of Vidal Blanc this June!