New Year resolutions are a time-honored tradition that many people use to mark the beginning of a new year, and to set goals for self-improvement. One resolution that might surprise you is to try more Missouri wine! With more than 125 wineries and vineyards scattered throughout the state, there's no shortage of variety when it comes to Missouri wine.

If your resolution is to become more familiar with Missouri wine (and we hope it is) here are some ideas to get you started!

Sign up for Rewards Uncorked: Visit wineries, earn points and get rewarded. It’s that easy!

Cook with Missouri Wine: Missouri wines can greatly enhance the taste of your favorite food dishes. Dry or sweet wines can help bring out new flavors. Missouri’s fruit wines are incredibly food friendly when it comes to baking sweet treats too.

Explore one of the 9 Wine Trails: Missouri offers 9 different wine trails. Plan the perfect trip by visiting one of the wine trails and seeing all that it has to offer, including wine tasting, food and amazing vineyard views.

Try a new Missouri wine varietal: Trying a new Missouri wine varietal can be an exciting and enjoyable experience for wine enthusiasts. With a variety of grape cultivars grown in the region, there is always something new to discover and savor. Whether you prefer red, white, or rosé, the Missouri wine scene has something for everyone to explore.

Host your own wine tasting: Hosting your own wine tasting can be a fun and educational experience. You can invite friends over and have them bring a bottle of their favorite wine to share. It's a great opportunity to learn about different types of wine, how to properly taste and pair them with food, and to enjoy the company of friends.

Try a new winery: Visiting a new Missouri winery can be a wonderful experience for wine enthusiasts and novice tasters alike. From the stunning scenery of the vineyards to the rich flavors of the wine, each winery offers a unique and memorable experience.

Attend Wine Country Events: Attending events in Missouri wine country is an exciting way to explore the region and learn about its rich viticultural history. You can join the winery events and participate in grape harvests, wine tastings, and vineyard tours to get a hands-on experience of the winemaking process. Additionally, you will get the opportunity to try various wines made with locally grown grapes and meet other wine enthusiasts who share your passion.

Cheers to 2024 in Missouri wine country!

Wine glasses come in all shapes and sizes, each designed to enhance the sipping experience of a specific type of wine. Red wine glasses, for example, are typically larger and wider, allowing the wine to breathe and aerate, while white wine glasses are generally smaller and narrower, preserving the wine's cooler temperature and concentrating the aromatics.

When focusing on glasses, there are few different styles to choose from.

Flute

These glasses are best for sparkling wines. It offers a shorter stem, with a longer, more narrow bowl. This is ideal for sparkling wines because is retains the carbonation and captures the flavors of the wine.

White Wine Glass

White wines should be served in a glass that offers a narrower bowl. This is because the smaller bowl preserves the fruity flavors and aromas. To elevate the flavors more, there are specifically designed glasses for grape varietals.

Red Wine Glass

While sipping on a bold, full-bodied red wine, it is best to utilize an appropriate glass. Red wine glasses have a globe-shaped bowl and are also taller and larger than a white wine glass. The wider opening also allows for a larger surface area, which enhances the wine's flavors and textures. Additionally, red wine glasses often have a longer stem to prevent your hands from warming the wine, which can negatively impact the taste. 

Varietal Specific

If you’ve been on the hunt for fancy stemware you may have seen varietal specific glasses on the market. While having such specific glassware is not required to enjoy the wine it does create a unique experience. Riedel Crystal set out to design the perfect glass for two of Missouri’s unique varietals. Today we have options for both Norton and Vignoles.

The Missouri Wine Board partnered with Riedel to select the perfect glasses for Norton and Vignoles. Participants evaluated 14 glasses, looking for the glass that best translated the “message” of each varietal (aroma, acidity, balance, etc.). According to Riedel, shape, size and rim diameter are the three variables to consider when evaluating varietal specific glassware.

Whether you're enjoying a glass of Missouri's crisp, refreshing Seyval Blanc or a bold, spicy Chambourcin, finding the perfect wine glass can help brighten and enhance the flavors!

Are you new to Missouri? Want to know more about the Missouri Wine Industry? Look no further than our Beginner's Guide to Missouri Wines! Learn how to taste wine like a pro to how many gallons of Missouri wine are sold yearly! 

If you're a wine lover, you know each season brings new flavors. From National Drink Wine Day in February to Mead Day in August, there's always a perfect holiday for every wine lover. The 2024 Wine Lover's Calendar can help you keep track of the wine holidays to celebrate throughout the year. 

Cheers to the New Year!