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!

Grilling season is here, and pairing your favorite charbroiled delights is easy with this Grill-out Guide. Cheers to warmer weather, longer days and delicious food paired with the perfect award-winning wine!

On a sunny, warm day there is nothing better than sipping on a glass of chilled white wine. Take a vino adventure through the Show Me State to discover some amazing Missouri white wines. There’s an award-winning white for whatever mood you're in. If you want something fruity, Vignoles has you covered. If you’d prefer something crisp and refreshing, reach for Vidal Blanc. The list goes on, so let’s talk white wine!

Vignoles, AKA – A fruit bomb! Depending on the winery, you'll find Vignoles wines that run the entire gamut of sweetness from dry, to semi-sweet, to dessert wines. Be sure not to confuse fruitiness for sweetness though. Even the dry Vignoles wines out there have so much fruit flavor, everything from pineapple, to apricot, and the rest of the fruit bowl in between. If you haven’t tasted Vignoles wines, you’re missing out on a ripe, fresh, fruity vino experience. 

Vidal Blanc is so refreshing! Vidal Blanc is super versatile and refreshing. There are sparkling wines (Who doesn’t love a little fizz?) and still wines ranging in sweetness levels made from Vidal Blanc grapes. They all have one thing in common… they’re great on a warm day. Vidal is the ideal patio sipper.

Chardonel wine is a classic! There aren’t many foods you'll eat during the summer that don’t pair well with a glass of Missouri Chardonel. When it’s aged on oak, it has a really nice smoothness that goes well with grilled chicken or fish. Unoaked Chardonel is a great go-to for pesto or veggies from you local farmers’ market. It’s a classic for a reason.

Traminette is too unique not to love! Traveling around Missouri’s 130+ wineries, you'll come across some really great wines, but nothing quite as unique as Traminette. It smells like flowers. You read that right, fresh-picked flowers. How cool is that? If you haven’t tried a Traminette, search it out and give it a good sniff. It tastes great, but that aroma is too cool. If you're a curry fan, Traminette is a great pair. 

Seyval Blanc is harder to find, but so worth it! Wines made with the Seyval Blanc grape are a little fewer and far between, but the citrusy deliciousness in store is worth the hunt. When you see it, don’t pass up the chance to taste Seyval Blanc. 

Plan a vino adventure today and look for these local white wines at a Missouri winery. 

May is Teacher Appreciation Month, and we want to raise a glass to all the educators out there. You’ve spent the entire school year working tirelessly to impart wisdom and knowledge to your students. Thank you!

Now that the school year is coming to a close, take some time just for you. Treat yourself to rest, relaxation, and fun in Missouri wine country. We appreciate all you do and would be thrilled to help you unwin[e]d (See what we did there?) from the stress of the school year. 

Whether you hop on one of Missouri’s ten wine trails or blaze a trail of your own among the 125+ wineries, you’re in for a great time. Let the tables turn and enjoy learning a bit about Missouri wines at a tasting or tour. Find wine terms, Wine 101 videos and more in our wine library. Sip, savor, and repeat. That’s our kind of lesson plan! 

Cheers to all teachers out there!

Missouri’s classic white wine is a great choice for your dinner table. Chardonel’s rich, delicious flavors pair well with a variety of foods. Use this Infographic to help you find the perfect match for your next meal. 

Missouri wine country is home to 130 wineries and countless cherished memories with family and friends. Spring is here! The warmer weather and sunshine are begging you to enjoy them, and there is no better place to do that than a local winery. A glass of wine in hand, good company by your side… we’ll see you in wine country this weekend!  

Prep Time- 5 minutes        |    Cook Time- 20 minutes

Ingredients: 
1 ½  cup     Red wine
½  cup        Balsamic vinegar
2                 Shallot, diced
2 tbsp         Butter
2 tbsp         Flour
2                 Fresh rosemary sprigs, leaved trimmed from stem and finely diced 
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions: 

1. Sauté shallots in butter over medium-low heat until the shallots are soft, approximately 2-3 minutes. Add flour, stirring constantly until fully coated. 
2. Stir in red wine, vinegar and rosemary.
3. Bring to a simmer and reduce by half, about 10-15 minutes.
4. Add salt and pepper to taste. 
5. Serve immediately. 

* This sauce is great on top of meats, like pork chops or steak, and on roasted vegetables.     

Vidal Blanc wine is light and bright with delicious citrusy notes. It’s perfect for adding extra flavor to this springtime lemon cake. This recipe is simple and delightful! Don’t forget the glaze; it might be the best part!

Prep Time- 25 minutes         |     Cook Time- 45-55 minutes

Ingredients: 

Pan prep 
2 tbsp    Melted butter
2 tbsp    Flour 

Cake 
1 box     Lemon cake mix 
¼ cup    Brown sugar
¼ cup    White sugar 
1 box     Instant lemon pudding mix (3.4oz)
Zest of 1 lemon
4    Eggs 
¾  cup    Water
¾  cup     Vegetable oil 
½  cup     Missouri Vidal Blanc Wine 

Glaze 
1 cup    Confectioners’ Sugar
2 tbsp    Missouri Vidal Blanc Wine  
Zest of 1 lemon 

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). 
2. Melt two tablespoons of butter. Add two tablespoons of flour, and whisk together until smooth. 
3. Using a pastry brush, coat the inside of a bundt pan generously with the butter/flour mixture. Set aside. 
4. In a large bowl, combine all the cake ingredients (cake mix, sugars, pudding mix, lemon zest, eggs, water, oil, and wine).  
5. Beat with an electric mixer until fully incorporated, approximately 2 minutes.
6. Pour batter into prepared bundt pan.
7. Bake cake 45-55 minutes, until cake tester comes out clean. 
8. While the cake is baking, prepare the glaze. 
9. Glaze instructions: Stir wine into confectioners’ sugar one tablespoon at a time until smooth. Stir in the lemon zest and let sit at room temperature for at least 10 minutes. 
10. Remove cake from oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert on a wire rack to cool completely. 
11. Once cool, drizzle with glaze. 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTon-QgEJoU&feature=youtu

Click play to learn how you too can make a White Wine Lemon Bundt Cake!

What’s better than a steaming mug of hot cocoa when the temperature is too low to think about outside? That’s easy… hot cocoa with red wine! This recipe is simple, quick and delicious. Warm up with a mug full of Missouri wine hot cocoa tonight. 

Missouri Wine Hot Chocolate 

Makes 2-3 servings    Prep Time: 5 minutes, Cook time: 5-7 minutes 

Ingredients:

2 ½  tbsp    Unsweetened dark cocoa powder
3  tbsp        Sugar
2/3 cup       Missouri red wine (we recommend a big, bold Norton) 
2 cup          Milk (whole milk makes a richer hot cocoa) 
1 tsp           Pure vanilla extract
¼ tsp          Salt

Directions: 

1. In a bowl combine the cocoa, sugar and ½ cup of the milk. Whisk until well combined.
2. Pour into a medium saucepan, and add in the rest of the milk and whisk until smooth.
3. Slowly add in the wine to the mixture, stirring constantly.
4. Once all ingredients are combined, heat the mixture over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring often.
5. Remove from heat, stir in the vanilla and salt, and serve. 
6. Enjoy! 

If you want to try this recipe with a sweet Missouri red wine or fruit wine (raspberry or cherry, perhaps), omit the sugar from the first step. Wait until the mixture is fairly warm, taste it, and add sugar to taste.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wrtBLZXLK4&feature=youtu

Click play to learn how you can warm up with Missouri Wine Hot Cocoa!