As Missouri grapevines begin their stretch toward the sun, Missouri wineries are swinging open their doors, dusting off their patios, and pouring glasses of vino for their guests.
If you're ready to get out and enjoy a delicious sip of sunshine, first stop by MissouriWine.org and cruise the handy trip planner for ideas, maps and information. Or plan your outings around special winery events.
Then set out to enjoy some spring weather and wine!
(And don't forget your Missouri Wine passport.)
Get Your Missouri Wine Passport
Nothing says travel adventure quite like a passport.
Here's how it works: Go to MissouriWine.org and register. You will receive your passport in the mail, or simply pick up a passport at any participating winery.
When you visit a participating winery for a tasting, ask them to stamp your passport and record their winery code.
Each passport stamp goes toward a reward, everything from a handy bar towel to weekend winery getaway for two. All add up to tasty memories of Missouri winery visits.
Easter Baskets for "Big Kids"
Yes, the baskets that the Easter Bunny brings are for the joy of little ones.
But couple the goodies traditionally found in those baskets with Missouri wine and you have some flavorful fun for adults to enjoy.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
Cadbury Creme Eggs + Blackberry Wine
Peanut Butter and Chocolate Eggs + Concord Wine (PBJ taste!)
Jelly Beans + Pink Catwaba
Marshmallow Peeps + Late Harvest Wine Chocolate Bunny + Norton
Do you have a unique Easter candy + Missouri wine combo idea to share? Tweet it @MissouriWines
Food & Wine Pairings for Spring Celebration Dinners
Choosing the right wines for a holiday event can be daunting. If you are planning a spring celebration dinner, we can't help with the cooking (or dishes), but we can provide some wine suggestions that may pair what you might be serving. Enjoy!
Appetizer Fruit and cheese platter with your choice of Missouri sparkling wine
Meat Ham: Traminette or Chambourcin
Lamb: Norton
Beef Brisket: Chambourcin
Sides Asparagus/String Beans: Vidal
Sweet Potatoes: Pink Catwaba
Cheesy Potatoes: Chardonel
Dessert
Italian Cream Cake: Missouri ice wine Lemon Meringue Pie: Vignoles
If you haven't heard of Hermann Jaeger and his role in wine history - get ready for a fascinating story.
Hermann Jaeger was a Neosho-based viticulturist whose crossbreeding of wild grapes helped solve the phylloxera epidemic that ravaged Europe 140 years ago. He is an important figure in agricultural history, and is greatly admired in Europe. However, his fame is less known in America, even by local people.
A special exhibit, opening April 8, was designed to change all that.
The exhibit, hosted by the Discovery Center of Springfield, features objects, photos, mementos, and historical texts about Missouri viticulture and the Jaeger family in the late 19th century, as well as a wealth of information related to agriculture.
Do you have a salad recipe that is a picnic favorite? A recipe for mouthwatering barbecued chicken? A dessert recipe that has been passed down through generations?
If you love to create delicious dishes for your family and friends, we'd love to hear from you.
Send us your recipes for any of the following categories (and be sure to let us know if there is Missouri wine that pairs nicely with your dish).
Appetizers, salads and sauces
Side dishes
Entrees
Desserts
We will select recipes to feature in upcoming issues of Missouri Wine newsletters and on our MisssouriWine.org recipe page.
If your recipe is featured, you will receive a Missouri wine logo gift. All who enter will receive a Missouri wine food-pairing and description selection wheel.
