Different Wines for Thanksgiving

Salubrious Missouri:

Guess which US state the following wine descriptions belong to:

• The second largest producer of wine in the United States
• Produced wines that earned medals in national and international competitions
• Its wines “stunned critics” in Paris and Vienna
• Was granted the first American Viticultural Area (AVA)

Would you believe Missouri? This area of the country had a thriving wine industry back in 1866, when it was ranked #2 in US wine production. Disease (like Phylloxera ), overproduction, local prohibition laws and finally national Prohibition did Missouri wineries in by 1888.

The state has made a come back starting in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Today, there are more than fifty wineries, some producing wines of outstanding quality. The harsh climates of Missouri have forced the growers to use non-classic grapes. Many unusual sounding hybrids like Seyval blanc, Vidal blanc and Vignoles thrive here. Wines made from these grapes aren’t rustic tasting off varietals, but interesting wines worthy of a taste.

I’ll be trying two of these wines today, Thanksgiving Day, at my sister's house. She went to a family reunion with her husband in Missouri this summer and brought back these wines. I’m looking forward to trying a blend of the previously mention three grapes that’s supposed to resemble a Riesling. There will also be a Chardonnay / Seyval cross called Chardonel. My tasting notes will follow in the next couple posts.

Have a great Thanksgiving Day! I hope you have some great wine.