Wine has held religious implications for centuries. The ancient Greeks are thought of have domesticated grapevines as far back as 4000 BC and used wine in rituals to honor their gods. Ancient Egyptians relied on Renenutet, the goddess of harvest, to ensure a healthy grape crop. Relics found in tombs dating back to 3000 BC show wine was a key component to religious ceremonies. Some wine historians even suggest Christians may have played a role in the preservation and advancement of the art of winemaking, contributing to the expansion of wine production in new parts of the globe. So, it’s not surprising that a few Missouri wineries pay tribute to their own religious beliefs through their wine labels, names or vineyards. 

Cross J Norton – Stone Hill Winery

The ‘Cross J Norton’ is a special wine for the Held family. Former Stone Hill Winery owner, Jim Held, was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer nearly 27 years ago. When Jim was told he had two years to live, he began searching for alternative cures along with the traditional treatment plans. He turned to faith to help him through his illness. As a result of this ‘awakening’, Jim named the vineyard surrounding his family home the ‘Cross J Vineyard’. His son Jon says, “The cross [is] for Christ and the J for himself”. Read more about this special wine here. 

Windy Wine Company 

Looking closely at a Windy Wine Company wine label, you may spot a biblical verse wrapped around the graphic. For example, on the Peanut Butter & Jelly label, you can find John 13:34-35 surrounding the peanut and grape clusters. On the deliciously unique Mango Chili Lime, discover Hebrews 13:2. See if you can find their other hidden verses.

Crying Stone Cuvée Blanc - Wild Sun Winery

The beautiful Wild Sun Winery in Hillsboro, Missouri has an outstanding wine that must be noted. To many, their property is extremely special and calming so they decided to incorporate it into this wine. Starting with barrel-fermented dry white wine, winemaker Mark Baehman says he draws inspiration from Luke 19:40. He further ages the wine upon limestone and sandstone harvested from the Wild Sun property. This laboring process gives the wine a velvety softness and minerality that is uniquely Wild Sun.

Whether it is a hidden verse on the bottle or an amazing story among the grapes, Missouri wine has many stories to tell. 

Disclaimer: The Missouri Department of Agriculture is committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all individuals, regardless of their religious beliefs. Our blog on religious wines is intended to provide information and insights into the unique aspects of this industry. It is important to note that the content shared on this platform is for educational and informational purposes only. We do not discriminate against individuals based on their religious beliefs, and we encourage respectful and constructive discussions among our readers.

Celebrate the small and large things in life with these Special Moment Tags! From getting engaged, buying a new home or retiring, there is a bottle of Missouri Wine waiting to be opened. Simply print on cardstock, cut, thread ribbon through the hole and tie it on the neck of the bottle! Cheers!

The world of wine is diverse and fascinating, with each bottle telling a unique story of craftsmanship and flavor. Among the many factors that contribute to the complexity of wine, the type of oak used during the aging process plays a significant role. In winemaking, the choice of oak can greatly influence the taste, aroma and complexity of the final product. 

Many Missouri winemakers use different oak varieties in the wine-making process. From American Oak, Missouri Oak and even French Oak, these different options play an important role in making quality Missouri wines. 

American oak barrels are a popular choice among winemakers in Missouri due to their ability to infuse wines with distinctive flavors such as dill, dark chocolate and dill. When these barrels are used in the winemaking process, they impart a unique richness and complexity to red wines like Chambourcin and Norton. The dark chocolate notes add a sweet and dessert-like element (Da Camara, 2020). Additionally, the hint of dill provides a subtle yet intriguing herbal undertone, elevating the overall flavor profile of the wine. As a result, the use of American oak barrels plays a crucial role in enhancing the sensory experience and quality of these beloved Missouri wines.

Winemakers in Missouri often use local oak barrels to age their wines, as the wood imparts unique characteristics to the wine, such as vanilla, spice, and caramel notes. The porous nature of Missouri oak allows for gradual oxygenation, which helps in the development of complex flavors and aromas in the wine. This method of aging in Missouri oak barrels has been embraced by many winemakers in the region, contributing to the distinctive taste profile of Missouri wines.

Missouri is home to many cooperages including the world’s largest cooperage – the Independent Stave Company. The company is headquartered in Lebanon, Missouri. Originally focusing on stave milling, TW Boswell, the founder of ISC, opened this cooperage in 1950. Over the years, the Independent Stave Company has expanded to six continents – North America, Europe, Asia, South America, Australia and Africa (Who We Are | Independent Stave Company, n.d.).

French oak is renowned for its sophisticated and subtle impact on wine, offering a delicate infusion of vanilla, cinnamon, and a velvety texture. This distinctive wood imparts a touch of elegance and complexity to the Chardonel wine produced in Missouri. The flavors and aromas derived from French oak contribute to the overall character and quality of the wine, enhancing its richness and depth. The use of French oak barrels in the winemaking process is a key factor in creating a refined and well-balanced Chardonel that is sought after by wine enthusiasts (Da Camara, 2020).

Winemakers in the Show-Me state and across the global wine industry carefully select oak barrels to complement the grape varietal and desired wine style, with considerations for toasting levels and barrel age. The art of oak aging is a delicate balance, where the interaction between wine and oak creates a harmonious blend of flavors that captivate the senses.

As we raise our glasses to Missouri wine, let us savor the intricate flavors that oak brings to each bottle. Whether unoaked or oaked, the role of oak in Missouri wine is a testament to the artistry and passion of winemakers who craft these liquid masterpieces. Each sip of Missouri wine tells a story of terroir, tradition, and the enduring influence of oak. Cheers to the magic of wine and the oak that shapes its soul.

Sources:

Da Camara, M. (2020, June 12). The difference between American and French oak — Grand Cata. Grand Cata. https://www.grandcata.com/blog/difference-between-american-and-french-oak

Who We Are | Independent Stave Company. (n.d.). https://www.independentstavecompany.com/who-we-are/

Whether you are planning a girl’s weekend or celebrating a bachelorette, Missouri wine country is the perfect place to go! Wine tasting, live music, and delicious food makes for the best time with your closest friends.

Missouri wine country offers more than 125 wineries and 9 wine trails to choose from. Many wine lovers spend their weekend on the Hermann Wine Trail or exploring Augusta. Many wine trails offer trolleys as a fun and unique way to travel to each winery. 

Winery’s offer events all year long, ranging from seasonal to annual festivals, tastings and more. Besides wine tasting, there is ample to do such as shopping, listening to live music and enjoying some delicious food. Check out our calendar or trip planners for how to spend your weekend.

Girls’ trips can be more than bachelorette parties too. We asked fellow wine lovers how they spent their weekends with friends and family; “We ate at Stone Hill and other restaurants in Hermann and Washington. We did some shopping at Montelle Winery and downtown Hermann.” Make a trip out of the weekend where you can go wine tasting, shopping and listen to live music.

Weekend trips can also help create memories with those closest to you. One woman said the best experience on the trip was “just being with my sister and daughter”, where another said her favorite experience was “being with my sister having fun sipping and buying wines.”

Spending the weekend in wine country opens so many opportunities to explore the countryside, sip on some wine and eat some delicious food. The best experiences are spent with those closest to you. One woman said the best experience was “the together time of staying in a house, traveling together, and just sitting at the wineries enjoying the ambiance and wine.” When asked if they recommend returning to wine country, one woman said, “yes we come back every year and bring new people who love it just as much.”

Girls’ trips are a great way to make lasting memories and drink some savory wine with your best gals. Bring your friends and family with you to Missouri wine country and explore all that is offered!

Wineries across the great state of Missouri offer delicious dessert wines, including Sherry, Port, and Late Harvest. They are typically sweet and rich, with complex flavors that are perfect for sipping after a meal.

Sherry

Sherry wine is made by adding brandy to a base wine. Winemakers have their pick of which base wine to begin with but  typically choose a lighter white wine or rosé. This wine can be diverse in its flavors, ranging from dry and light to rich and sweet. Sherry is aged through a traditional solera system, where younger wines are blended with older ones in a series of barrels.

Port-Style

Port-style wine is also made by adding brandy to a base wine. Missouri winemakers usually choose to make it from the Norton grape. Port-style wine is widely known for its rich, fruity flavors and is often served as a dessert wine. Legally to be called Port, it must be from Portugal. A few older Missouri wineries were grandfathered in to be allowed to call theirs Port. Port-style is aged in wood barrels for various lengths of time, with some varieties aging for decades to develop complex flavors.

Late Harvest

Late Harvest wines are made by grapes that have been left on the vine longer than usual. By letting them hang on the vine longer, it allows them to develop a higher sugar content. They are a sweeter wine with flavors of honey, apricot, and peach. Late harvest wines may be aged in stainless steel or oak barrels which can enhance their fruity characteristics.

Whether you prefer the nutty complexity of Sherry, the sweet richness of Port-style wines, or the luscious sweetness of Late Harvest wines, there is a wine to suit every palate and occasion. Which dessert wine will you try first?

Mardi Gras is a time of celebration, good food, and good fun. Back in Missouri, we have the perfect recipe to transport you onto the streets in New Orleans!

Shrimp Pasta in Garlic Wine Sauce

Prep Time: 10 minutes.

Shrimp – 2 lbs.

2 TBSP Garlic

1 TBSP Parsley

1 TBSP Lemon juice

16 OZ Linguine

1 TBSP Salt

5 TBSP Butter

1 ½ C Half & Half

½ C Parmesan

1 C White wine (We used Wild Sun Chardonel Reserve)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Bring a pot of water to boil and cook pasta according to package directions. Once cooked, set aside pasta.
2. Melt 2 TBSP butter in a skillet and place shrimp in pan. Cook shrimp on both sides until it reaches a pinkish color.
3. Add 3 TBSP of butter to pan and add garlic. Add white wine, half & half, Parmesan, salt, parsley, and lemon juice.
4. Combine sauce, pasta, shrimp. Stir together and serve!

Who is ready to watch The Kansas City Chiefs play in the Super Bowl? We can’t wait to support our team on February 11!

Watching the Super Bowl is a time-honored tradition for many Americans, and it's always more enjoyable with a few snacks and a glass of wine by your side.

If you're a fan of Missouri wine, you're in luck - there are plenty of delicious options to choose from. Whether you prefer a crisp white or a bold red, there's a perfect pairing for every snack you might have on hand. 

Vignoles + Buffalo Chicken Dip

Chardonel + Deviled Eggs

Traminette + Chicken Wings

Vidal Blanc + Chips and Guacamole

Catawba + Pulled pork (Bonus: Try Catawba Pulled Pork)

Concord + Cookies

Rosé + Nachos

Chambourcin + Sliders

Norton + Pizza

Now that you have your snacks figured out for the game, it’s time to focus on the wine. Chilling your wine before enjoying it is a very important step. To ensure your vino is the perfect suggested temperature for game day, check out our wine chilling cheat sheet!

Feel ready for kickoff on Sunday? You’ve got the snacks and wine, you can sit back and enjoy the game! Go Chiefs!