Don't be spooked - try pairing your favorite Missouri wines with Halloween candy. You'll have a howling good time with these matches:

Crisp green apple flavors of Vidal complement the fruity Starburst chews, creating a tasty balance of sweet and tart.

The rich and creamy texture of Chardonel matches the texture of the candy corn, plus adds a nice zing to the whole combination.

Fruity red Chambourcin pairs perfectly with the chocolaty and nougaty deliciousness of the candy bar.

Norton and Hershey's Special Dark chocolate

The rich berry and chocolate flavors of Norton are enhanced with this bite sized dark chocolate treat.

Bubbles in the sparkling wine add zip to the candy coating and enhance the chewy, chocolate center of the pop.

The aromatic sweetness of the Vignoles is a perfect complement to the caramel and the apple.

Savory and sweet perfection.

Two sweet sensations combine for happy taste buds.

Missouri wine and candy, no tricks, just treats!

The Missouri Wine website, missouriwine.org, is getting a makeover. While the URL remains the same, the redesigned site will include a trip planner, a streamlined events page, updated winery listings, wine and food pairings with recipes and a fresh new design. Better still, the new look will continue to feature great info on Missouri's grapes, wineries and awards.

Watch for the new site to launch in mid-October and mark it as one of your favorites!

Several very tasty recipes were entered in the Cooking with Missouri Wine Contest at this year's Missouri State Fair. Last month we shared the first place winning recipe, this month we congratulate the second place winner, Faye Hunton of Sedalia. Faye's creation, "Fruit Glazed Vignoles Wine Cake," with Vignoles from Jowler Creek Winery, not only tastes delicious but looks delicious too! What makes this recipe even more special is that Faye is the Aunt of the winemaker at Jowler Creek!

 

Try it for yourself:

 

FRUIT-GLAZED VIGNOLES WINE CAKE 

Cake:
2 1/4 cups cake flour
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter-flavor solid vegetable shortening
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup Vignoles (Missouri white semi-sweet wine)
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 eggs

 

Glaze:
1 cup apricot jelly
1/2 cup Vignoles (Missouri white semi-sweet wine)
6 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon cornstarch

 

Fruit:
Strawberries, nectarines, kiwi, blueberries, raspberries or other fresh fruit or berries of choice

For cake, combine cake flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, shortening, milk, wine, vanilla and eggs in large mixer bowl. Mix on low speed of electric mixer about 30 seconds. Increase speed to high and beat 3 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour batter into greased and floured 12-inch round cake pan.  Bake in preheated 350-degree oven 30 minutes, or until wooden pick comes out clean.  Let cool on rack.

While cake is cooling, prepare glaze. Melt jelly in small saucepan over low heat.  Stir in wine, honey and cornstarch; mix until smooth. Heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens. Let cool.
 
Arrange sliced fruit of choice on top of cake. Pour glaze over cake, coating fruit completely.
 
Yield: 1 cake; 8 servings.

Missouri River Wine Trail, Bounty of the Harvest, November 6-7 - Wine and food pairings featuring local products from the Mid-Missouri region.

 

Hermann Wine Trail, Holiday Fare, November 20-21- Sip and sample festive fare in this annual celebration of good food and good wine.

Click here for more info.

 

Route du Vin, Ste. Genevieve, Wine Diva Weekend, November 20-21 - Fine wine perfectly paired with a delicious "Diva Treat."

Click here for more info.

 

To check out all of Missouri's Wine Trails and events click here.

Check out these Missouri wine blogs for all the latest on what's happening in the world of Missouri wine: