If you're like many people, the label of a wine affects which wine you buy to some extent. Wine labels can tell you a lot about the wine inside and where it comes from if you know what to look for.

Vidal Blanc is a French-American Hybrid white wine grape that we grow quite a bit of here in Missouri. Why does it get its own month? Because it’s just so versatile! It’s made into wines of every style from sparkling, to dry white, to dessert wines. And on top of all that versatility in the wine-making arena, it holds its own in the realm of food and wine pairings as well. There are so many delicious ways to pair this versatile varietal with your favorite foods.

Sparkling wines made from Vidal Blanc are dry and refreshing. They pair perfectly with:

• Brunch- on its own in a flute or made into a delicious sparkling wine cocktail
• Fried Chicken- No kidding! The bubbles are perfection with this greasy, juicy comfort food.
• Oysters- talk about true decadence
• Fresh Berries- for a light and lovely starter or dessert

Vidal Blanc table wines range from dry to semi-sweet and their crisp flavors of apple and citrus are ideally matched with:

• Herbed goat cheese- spread on a cracker or crumbled on a fresh salad
• Pesto- the fresh herbs, the olive oil, the pine nuts… they all work very well with Vidal Blanc
• Green veggies- from broccoli, to asparagus, to romaine
• Seafood- everything from sushi, to ceviche, to crab cakes
• Chicken- light chicken and poultry dishes are a great match

Decadently sweet dessert wines made from Vidal Blanc, whether Late Harvest or Ice Wines, are superb when served alongside:

• Roquefort cheese
• Spicy nuts
• Crème brûlée
• Apple tarts
• Panna cotta

Whichever style of Vidal Blanc is your favorite, grab a glass, pair it with some delicious food, and enjoy!

Vidal Blanc pairs well with… too many things to count!

The Official State Grape of Missouri might be red, but there are several truly exceptional white grape varietals being grown in the Show-Me state. White wine grapes account for nearly forty percent of the grapes grown in the state, and they are being used to make some delicious, award-winning wines in a large variety of styles perfect for the warmer weather of Spring and Summer.

The most popular white grapes in Missouri are Vignoles, Vidal Blanc, Chardonel, Traminette, Seyval Blanc and Cayuga. How many of these varietals have you tried?

Vignoles (pronounced veen-yole) is the most popular white grape in the state and is used to make everything from Late Harvest dessert wines, to refreshing, fruity dry whites. Most frequently, you’ll find semi-sweet to semi-dry Vignoles wines with wonderfully fruity aromas and flavors. No wonder it’s so popular! Vignoles is exceptional when paired with spicy foods like Mexican cuisine or spicy Asian dishes.

Vidal Blanc is an incredibly versatile grape and you’ll find wines made from it in the dessert, sparkling, semi-dry, and crisp, refreshing dry wine categories. It’s delicious and award-winning in many of its styles. Search them out and find your favorite!

Chardonel is a hybrid grape and wines made from it are often aged on oak, producing wines similar in style and flavor to one of its parent grapes, Chardonnay. You can also find unoaked Chardonel wines at some Missouri wineries, letting more of the apple and citrus notes of the grape shine through.

Traminette is also a hybrid grape and it gets fantastic floral aromas from its parent, Gewürztraminer. This grape is made into white wines ranging from semi-sweet to dry and is delicious on its own or paired with Thai and Indian food.

We could go on and on about how delicious and fantastic Missouri white wines are, but it’s way more fun for you to get out to Missouri wine country and try them for yourself.

Missouri white wines pair well with warm weather!

Flowers are beautiful; there’s no argument. However, a flower’s aroma is arguably even more spectacular. Our sense of smell is one of the biggest triggers of memory, and when we perceive specific flavors in wine it’s actually our sense of taste and smell working together. Perhaps that’s why wines with floral aromas are so popular. There are many different floral aromas commonly found in wine, particularly certain varietals.

• Traminette is a hybrid grape descendant from the Gewürztraminer grape, which is well known for its flowery nose. Traminette retained much of that characteristic and is often described with aromas of rose, geranium, lily, and honeysuckle.
• Chardonel, a hybrid of Chardonnay and Seyval Blanc, at times has a mild, soft aroma of apple blossoms.
• Vidal Blanc is a French-American hybrid known for its fresh floral bouquet of a springtime garden.
• While Vignoles, another French-American hybrid, is best known for its fruity characteristics, it is often described as having aromas of citrus blossom and honeysuckle.
• Norton, a Native American grape and the Official State Grape of Missouri, sometimes has a bouquet reminiscent of violets.

One of the exciting things about wine is that it can engage all of your senses. The next time you pour yourself a glass of award-winning, local wine, remember to stop and smell the roses (violets, lilies, honeysuckle, and all of the other wonderful floral aromas found in a glass of wine).

Sustainability means something a little different to just about everyone. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines sustainable as “of, relating to, or being a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged”. Basically, the idea of sustainability could be described as doing something in a way that ensures you can continue doing it for the foreseeable future. The Missouri wine industry is no stranger to sustainability efforts, for good reason. Winemaking and grape growing is much more of a marathon than a sprint.

The act of planting grapevines in and of itself is a long-term investment in the future. Most grapevines don’t produce a substantial yield for three to five years, but can continue to produce quality commercial fruit for more than 25 years if cared for properly. Great, award-winning wines like the ones made by Missouri winemakers aren’t made in a day. The entire process from harvest, to crush, to fermentation, to aging, and so on can take anywhere from six months to three years or more.

Wineries in the Show Me state engage a variety of sustainability methods from the use of solar power, to alternative pest management, to cellar and building design, and down to a dedication to recycle in the tasting rooms. These efforts are wide spread and make a meaningful difference in our growing industry of more than 125 wineries, producing over 900,000 gallons of wine a year.

Some of the most common sustainability methods found in Missouri vineyards are:

• Integrated Pest Management or IPM
• Mulching and composting of clippings, must, etc.
• Multiple techniques to avoid, prevent and minimize soil erosion
• Limited use of pesticides and herbicides
• Drip irrigation in the vineyards
• Low energy equipment and harvesting by hand

These are just a few of the efforts made by wineries to keep their vineyards as “green” as possible. Every winery approaches sustainability a little differently. Next time you’re visiting an award-winning Missouri winery, ask them about their sustainability efforts. They are many, varied and just another great reason to drink local!

Missouri wine pairs well with sustainability for the future!

Fresh peaches are one of the best parts of summer, and this sangria featuring Vignoles and peach wine is a delicious way to enjoy them. Whip up a batch of Peachy Vignoles Sangria for your next get together.

Ingredients

4-6                               Fresh Peaches

4 oz                              Honey

3 oz                              Brandy

1 bottle (750mL)   Missouri Vignoles Wine

1 bottle                       Missouri Peach Wine

1-2 inch piece          Fresh Ginger (optional)

24 oz                           Club Soda or Sparkling Wine

Directions

Slice and peel 2 peaches. Add them to a blender or food processor. Add honey and brandy and blend until a smooth puree is formed. Add water 1 tbsp at a time to thin as desired. Slice 2-3 additional peaches. Peel and thinly slice the fresh ginger. Add the puree, sliced peaches and ginger to a large pitcher.  Pour the Vignoles and peach wines into the pitcher; mix until combined. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight to let the flavors combine. Just before serving add the club soda or sparkling wine. Serve over ice with sliced peaches for garnish.

Pro Tip: You can use frozen peaches instead of ice when serving to keep your sangria cold without watering it down.

* Try it with the 2015 Governor’s Cup winner, St. James Winery 2014 Vignoles.

Fruit wine sounds a little redundant, doesn’t it? After all, wine is made from grapes and grapes are fruit, right? Not exactly. The term “fruit wine” refers to any wine made from fruit other than grapes. Many Missouri wineries make delicious, award-winning fruit wines. Common flavors are peach, cherry, blackberry, apple and strawberry, but as you explore Missouri wine country you’ll find other unique fruit wines such as mango, blueberry, and strawberry rhubarb. There are so many wonderful ways to enjoy Missouri fruit wine. Here are some of our favorites:

1. Sipping: A glass of fruit wine is delicious and refreshing all on its own. If you find a fruit wine that’s a little sweet for you, try adding a splash of club soda. It can calm the sweetness, and who doesn’t like bubbles?
2. Mixing: Fruit wines make fantastic mixers for your next cocktail concoction. Whether you’re perfecting your sangria recipe or developing a brand new cocktail creation, fruit wine is a great way to mix things us (pardon the pun).
3. Cooking: Fruit wines add fantastic flavor and fun to the most basic recipes, especially in marinades and sauces.

Marinades, especially overnight marinades, are great with fruit wines because they are low in acid. Peach wine marinades are great with chicken and cherry is exceptional with pork. Generally, a good ratio for marinades is: ½-1 cup of wine, ¼ – ½ cup of fat (olive oil, etc.), 1 tsp – 2 Tbsp herbs of choice, ½-2 tsp salt

A fruit wine sauce is a delicious addition to an entrée or dessert. Reducing wine into a thicker sauce consistency is very simple. Add your wine to a heated pan over medium high heat. Bring to a simmer. The alcohol and water will evaporate out of the wine. Simmer like this with any added spices you would like until it has reduced by half. Remove from heat, let cook slightly and enjoy!

4. Baking: Substituting wine for water or part of the fat (oil, butter, etc.) while baking adds flavor and complexity. So, next time you dawn an apron to bake up a treat, don’t forget the fruit wine. 

Fruit wines are truly versatile. Don’t just take our word for it. Try sipping, mixing, cooking, and baking with them.

Missouri fruit wine pairs well with trying something new!

Patio perfect weather is upon us again, and there’s nothing better than relaxing outdoors with a glass of your favorite Missouri wine and good friends! Get the most out of these patio perfect days while they last. Whether you are hosting or attending an open-air gathering this season, invite Missouri wines along for the fun!

Grilling is a fun and delicious activity you’ll find happening on most patios. Grilling and smoking foods imparts unique flavors opening up the opportunity for some exciting food and wine pairings. Read this blog post to find out more about pairing based on the cooking method. Don’t feel like you have to stick to the staples when grilling either, there are lots of options to try something new on the grill. Ever tried grilled peaches? They are a real treat, especially when paired with a glass of fruit forward Vignoles.

Another warm weather classic is sangria. There are countless recipes out there for every type of sangria mixture you can imaging, but try using this guide to build your own recipe that suits your palate perfectly.

If you’re into more of a picnic style patio soiree, there are still some great food and wine pairings to be had. This food and wine pairing guide will help you mix and match all your favorites from cheese to fruit to dessert. Or go with a simple yet classic selection of sandwiches, we’ll even help you find the perfect wine for that!

Don’t have a patio at home? No need to worry. Many Missouri wineries have great patios and outdoor seating to enjoy. Plan your trip today to Missouri wine country to enjoy these patio perfect days.

Missouri wine pairs well with patios!