September is also the month for Missouri according to the Wine Lovers Calendar and it is the first state that I have never been to, or had the privilege of trying any wines from this state. So this is all research for me, in preparation of one day trying the wines.
Wine was first planted in Missouri in 1837 and it enjoyed a steady growth until the Prohibition Era. After prohibition there was very little interest until the 1960’s and it is now the twelfth largest producer in the United States of America. In the year 2011 there were one hundred wineries in the state and now there are over one hundred and twenty wineries. Between regions and sub-regions there are now eight AVA districts, and Augusta was the first AVA in the country, and Napa was the second.
While there is some experimentation with classic European varietals, the majority of the wines grown are of the Cold-Hardy varietals. The most popular white grapes grown are Cayuga, Chardonel, Seyval Blanc, Traminette, Vidal Blanc and Vignoles. The most popular red grapes grown are Catawba, Chambourcin, Concord, Norton/Cynthiana and St. Vincent. The Norton/Cynthiana varietal is actually the Missouri State Grape. It will only be a matter of time, before the “Show Me” state, shows me.
