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Wedding Vows, Rings and Wine!
June is one of the most popular months to get married. Missouri is overflowing with gorgeous outdoor views, as well as wineries that offer their space for small to large ceremonies and receptions. After you decide where to have your wedding, it's time to decide what type of Missouri wine you're going to serve. Relax, we've got you covered! Follow these easy steps and you're sure to impress your guests while having a fun-filled, stress-free day!
Taste many different wines, either with or without your pre-selected menu items. This doesn't have to be done in one sitting. We suggest picking up a bottle here and there, and taking good notes to get a feel for what you like. Stop by a Missouri winery tasting room for assistance, too. Our winery owners are happy to help you with your special day!
Choose at least one red and one white. Chambourcin is a food-friendly wine and a good choice for a red. Vidal Blanc is a great choice for a white as it is clean and crisp but not overly fruity.
Talk to your caterer about the food, especially the meat, that will be served at the reception. Make sure you are in agreement about which wines should be served with what foods.
How much should you have on hand? Assuming your guests will enjoy one to two glasses of wine before or with dinner, it is safe to figure half of a bottle per person. Keep in mind that during the warmer months, people tend to consume more white wine than red.
If you plan on purchasing the wine yourselves (versus through a caterer or venue), ask local wineries about case prices. It is often a much better deal when you buy in bulk! Find out whether or not your venue will charge a "corking fee." If so, factor that into your budget!
And of course no wedding would be complete without bubbles! Raise your glass in honor of your new life and toast your loved one with Missouri sparkling wine!
No matter how you choose to celebrate your wedding day, remember, Missouri Wine is here to make it extra special! Cheers!
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Winetinerary
Our state is home to five great wine trails, but with so many wineries in the state, there are other wine regions worth putting on your radar. With summer among us, we're featuring a different winery itinerary every month. So, grab your passport, get some friends, and go!
 The peaceful vineyards of Indian Hills Winery.
Just south of the well-known Ste. Genevieve wine region are a dozen wineries in the southeast part of our state where you will enjoy serene settings of countryside, lakes and over-sized porches perfect for sipping away an afternoon.
From Ste. Genevieve head to Perryville and relax on the porch of the secluded Barrens Winery. Continuing south to the quaint and historic town of Brazeau, you'll find Hemman Winery where sweet to semi-sweet wines await you. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy lunch by the pond at Tower Rock Winery in Altenburg. The town of Jackson is home to two wineries. You'll be wowed by the all handmade furniture at Steele Crest Winery. And if you are still hungry they boast the tallest outdoor wood-fired pizza oven in the state. While in Jackson, check out Rothbrick Crush Winery, but note that you will need to make an appointment. In nearby Cape Girardeau is Hunter Valley Winery where you can enjoy the views of their two-acre lake and outdoor sculpture park. If you are looking to spend the night, Cape Girardeau offers several overnight accommodations.
Continue your journey south to Commerce and River Ridge Winery, situated in a century-old farmhouse and offering casual dining in the Fermentation Room Café. Next, travel east to Puxico where you will find not one, but two wineries. Indian Hills Winery offers fresh country air and light fare with every glass of wine. For some history, be sure and visit Chateau Kinori Winery, located in a 100 year-old former handle factory. Now, head north to Marble Hill and stop in Thousand Oaks Winery, appropriately named as it is nestled in the middle of a hardwood forest and overlooks a private lake on a 60-acre estate. Just a bit north in the town of Marquand is the historic Durso Hills Winery where the tasting room is part of an old residence that housed the town's local country doctor and his pharmacy, about 100 years ago. You won't be disappointed in the last stop of this tour in Fredericktown. Here, you will find German architectural style buildings, landscaping and views at Vance Vineyards.
Don't forget your Missouri Wines iPhone and Android app for easy navigation! And as always, call ahead to confirm winery hours and events.
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Winemaker Connection
with Thomas Kalb of Wenwood Farm Winery
Here is our latest installment of the Winemaker Connection with Tom Kalb of Wenwood Farm Winery.
How long have you been making wine? "I've been making wine for almost 34 years. I got a job in my hometown, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin at the Wisconsin Winery when I was 14. It was a fruit and berry winery, and I scrubbed tanks and stocked cases, learned to make wine, and worked there for 10 years until the owners retired. Along with that, I was a bass player, so really all my jobs have been musician and wine-related." Describe yourself in three words. "Off the cuff." What is your favorite wine to make? "I just can't pick one favorite wine to make. They all have their challenges." What is the toughest challenge about winemaking in Missouri? "The toughest challenge in Missouri wine making is overcoming a misconceived reputation. We make great wine but don't always get credit for it." Is winemaking an art or a science? Or both? "Winemaking is an art. The science just explains the art." What is your favorite food and wine pairing? "I have to pick one? Why can I pick only one?" If you didn't make wine, what would you do? "If I didn't make wine - I guess I'd be out filling up my [Missouri Wine] Passport, drinking wine, since I'd have the time!"
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Locapair
In fervent support of the locavore movement, each month we pair a Missouri wine varietal with a local food favorite. Hence: Locapair. Enjoy.
Rosé (roh-say)
Rosé wines often combine the best of both worlds: the lightness of a white wine (like Vidal Blanc) and the depth and boldness of a red wine (like Chambourcin). These wines pair well with a wide range of foods, from light fish to heavier pork or beef dishes. It also complements spicy Thai or Mexican inspired foods. It's also a great sipping wine to enjoy on the patio
Cave Vineyard produces a White Chambourcin, which won a gold medal at the Missouri Wine Competition in 2011. Stone Hill Winery makes an award-winning Brut Rosé. Edg-Clif Farms and Vineyard also produces a notable Chambourcin Rosé, and Hermanhoff Winery produces their Vin Gris, a dry Rosé.
Drink this with: Cheesy Tartines
Sip a dry Rosé with these fresh, cheesy appetizers. The fresh asparagus and mild prosciutto atop locally made, melted cheese and crusty bread will pair beautifully with a crisp Rosé.
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Vino Vocab
Aftertaste/Finish: Term used to describe the taste left in the mouth after swallowing the wine. Both character and length of the aftertaste are part of the total evaluation. May be soft, smooth, lingering, hot, tannic or nonexistent.
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Recipe Pick
Strawberry Cake: A dry or sparkling Rosé will complement the sweet fruitiness of this cake. Perfect for a warm summer day!
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Passport Paparazzi
Grab your passport and get out to explore Missouri - The Country's First Wine Country. Check our Facebook page to see what other Missouri wine-lovers have been up to!
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