The Missouri State Fair is kicking off, and so is the big-name entertainment performing on the Grandstand in Sedalia. Consequently, you can find the Missouri Wine Tent across from the Grandstand box office next to the Commercial Building. This means you can grab a sip, a tasting or even attend a Wine 101 class before that evening’s big show. In fact, we thought we’d recommend a Missouri varietal to “pair” with your Grandstand show of choice.
Tyler Hubbard – As half of the multi-platinum country duo, Florida Georgia Line, that garnered 19 No. 1 singles, countless awards and sold-out tours, Tyler Hubbard’s voice is a country music staple. Much like Vignoles, which is a popular and crowd-pleasing choice that can take on a variety of different notes from dry, to sweet, to late harvest dessert wines. Vignoles noted tropical fruit and citrus notes also give a nod to Tyler Hubbard’s Florida Georgia Line roots.
Lainey Wilson – This CMA 2022 Female Vocalist of the Year, CMA 2022 New Artist of the Year and ACM’s 2022 New Female Artist of the Year created her own “bell bottom country sound.” This Southern Belle’s music pairs well with Catawba, a Southern grape varietal hailing from North Carolina. Just like Lainey’s music, Catawba artfully pairs sweet and strawberry-like with a little floral, woodsy-twist. Not to mention, Catawba is used to produce pink and rosé wines, and we have a feeling Lainey would be up to rosé all day.
3 Doors Down – 3 Doors Down has sold more than 20 million albums globally, making this popular rock band from the mid-90s the perfect pairing with Chambourcin, a red French-American hybrid grape that competes for one of the world’s most popular hybrid grape varieties. Chambourcin adds depth to many red blends, and 3 Doors Down songwriting prowess that earned them “Songwriter of the Year” adds depth to their rock-n-roll sound. Let Chambourcin’s earthy, strong notes of dark cherry be your “Kryptonite.”
Missouri State Fair Shoot Out Truck & Tractor Pulls and Pro Pulling League – Traminette is light-bodied, complex and ready to go the distance, just like the truck and tractors highlighted during the two nights of pulls. We even think that it’s floral aromas with tangy citrus and light spice notes balances out the smell of diesel smoke. Not to mention that Traminette is known to pair well with most appetizers, which means it will be a great choice to complement your fair food.
Outlaw Nationals Monster Truck Show and 2023 Powri 410 Sprint Cars, B Modifieds & Super Stocks, Show Me Vintage Race Cars - Vidal Blanc is known for being hardy with a thick-skin, just like the featured monster trucks performing at the Missouri State Fair. Yet, Vidal Blanc is also noted for its crisp, clean notes, just like the winning sprint car’s trip around the dirt track. Vidal Blanc’s pear, apple, citrus and other fruit flavors will pair well with pizza from the Midway and motorsports alike.
Cory Asbury and CAIN – Seyval Blanc’s clean, crisp and fresh flavors pair well with Cory Asbury and CAIN’s Christian music. Cory Asbury sings of the Father’s “Reckless Love,” and Seyval Blanc when aged has a complexity, which reflects the nuances of walking in faith. CAIN is described as “effervescent joy,” and we think joy and love pair well with clean, crisp spices and notes of pear.
The Country Comeback Tour with Shenandoah, Billy Dean and Wade Hayes – Nothing is more nostalgic than grape jelly and a tall glass of Welch’s grape juice, other than belting out Shenandoah’s “Two Dozen Roses.” That’s why we think the Country Comeback Tour pairs perfectly, with the arguably most all-American varietal that made grape juice and jelly a pantry staple – Concord. Concord’s candy-like sweetness pairs well with country love ballads like “Next to You, Next to Me,” but the robust, medium-bodied wines still have balance, like throwing in a break-up song among the croony ballads. We may be “Old Enough to Know Better,” but we still love Concord too much to care.
Nelly – Norton might be Missouri’s state grape, but if it were up to popular vote “Country Grammar” the 2000s smash-hit from Missouri’s own hip-hop legend Nelly might overtake the Missouri Waltz to be named the official state song. Just like the lyrics in Nelly’s hip-hop tracks, Norton offers a bold, rich and complex punch. And if you’re heading to “Where the Party At,” know that Norton pairs well with your favorite summer foods like cheese and barbecue.
Riley Green – Riley Green grew up on a mixture of bluegrass and Southern Gospel music, and Chardonel is a cross of Seyval Blanc and Chardonnay grapes. This created a unique flavor and a hardy vine, just like Riley Green used his influences to write songs which propelled him to be named the 2020 ACM Awards New Male Artist of the Year, CMT’s Listen Up Artist and MusicRow’s Breakout Artist of the Year. We think Chardonel’s pear, apple and apricot notes pair perfectly with the traditional and sweet songwriting behind hits like “I Wish Grandpas Never Died” and “There was This Girl.”
Where State Fair traditions grow, enjoy a glass of Missouri wine before a show!
