This weekend Columbia, Mo., is guaranteed to be abuzz with excitement and Tiger spirit. Saturday, October 15 is Mizzou's Homecoming Centennial. Head down to The District early to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the MU Homecoming parade, which begins at 8:30 a.m. Keep an eye out for the Missouri Wines mobile in the parade lineup and give a cheer for your favorite local wine!

Missouri Wines is also excited to sponsor this year's Romp, Chomp and Stomp tailgate event alongside the Missouri Pork Association. The true Mizzou tradition will feature tasty fare and liquid refreshments, as well as live entertainment and games that are sure to entertain the whole family! The Mizzou Alumni Association website also promises the appearance of a few "special campus guests." Join MU students and alumni alike for this great event, and show your support for Missouri made products while getting pumped for a Tiger victory!

The Romp, Chomp and Stomp will kickoff at the Carnahan Quadrangle immediately following the Homecoming parade. For more information and to buy tickets, please click here. Keep up with the action on Twitter with the hashtag, MIZ100HC.  

Come sample Missouri wines and say hello! 

Still trying to come up with a clever adult Halloween costume? We've got you Missouri wine-lovers covered.  

Grape Bunch: There are plenty of places that sell this costume, but the cost-saving version is simple. Blow up dark bluish-purple balloons (think Norton grapes) and attach them to your clothes! Click here for a more detailed explanation. 

Wine Box: This is a fun, easy costume.  Here are a few tutorials from some creative costume makers.        

"Wine Goddess": This costume is available for sale from various retailers (like Target). While it gets low points on the creativity scale, it's a quick option if you want to display your vino-devotion on Halloween night.  

Corkscrew and Wine Bottle: This would be great for a couples costume. Click here for another crafty example of what can be done with a little time and a couple of hula hoops. If you're feeling especially crafty, try to mimic your favorite Missouri wine label!

However you decide to spend your Halloween, remember to have fun, be safe and spread the local wine love! 

Caramel & Wine 

In the good-humored spirit of Halloween, we usually like to bring you a candy and wine pairing each October. This year, we thought we'd spice, err, sweeten it up with something different: caramel and wine! 

We here at Missouri Wines went through the tough job of taste-testing these combinations to make sure we provided you with the best pairings possible. As a general (albeit flexible) rule, sweet wines go well with sweet foods. And as you'll see, these combinations are no exception. Here are the results:

• Sweet, Sparkling wine with caramel flavored Candy Corn
• Late Harvest wine and Vignoles with caramel apples
• Traminette with Caramel Crunch 'n Munch or Cracker Jacks
• Port or Fortified wine with pretzel and caramel dip
• Tawny Port with Kraft Caramels
• Chambourcin with dark chocolate, sea salt caramels

Check out Missouri Wine's website for more ideas on food and wine pairings, as well as  suggestions on hosting your own tasting!

Cooking with Missouri Wine   

This first place winner at this year's Cooking With Missouri Wine contest, held at the Missouri State Fair, was submitted by Tami Walk for her Mushroom/Artichoke Lasagna. For the full recipe, please click here.

In fervent support of the locavore movement, each month we pair a Missouri wine varietal with a local food favorite. Hence: Locapair. Enjoy.    

Norton/Cynthiana (sin-thee-ana)

Not only is Norton Missouri's official state grape, it is also the oldest native wine grape in the U.S. Originally found near Richmond, Virginia, Norton is believed to have traveled to Missouri by way of German immigrants. The grapes produce a rich, full-bodied dry red wine with berry flavors and spicy overtones.    

Drink this with: Pumpkin Brisket

Because Norton is a robust wine, it goes great with smoked meats, lamb, venison and beef. This seasonal recipe calls for the brisket to be braised with pumpkin beer (try local brewers Schlafly or O'Fallon). As usual, check your local grocery store to find locally raised meats, or check here to find a farmers market near you. In addition to the heavier meats, Norton also goes great with salmon, strong cheeses, tomato-based sauces and berries.     

New Winery  

Red Fox Winery, Urich, Mo.

Vino Vocab 

Balanced: When all the perceived components (acid, alcohol, fruit, and tannins) in a wine complement each other and no one component sticks out and dominates. The perfect balance depends on the specific type and style. A complex wine has lots of intermingled aromas and flavors. 

Passport Season  

Don't forget to keep your passport handy as you travel Missouri Wine Country. Get it stamped at each participating Missouri winery you visit to receive great rewards. Click here for more info.  

Wine Trail Events   

Blogs

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

Fence Stile Winery 

Hermann Wine Trail  

Join our mailing list! 

missouriwine.org