Kevin A. Roberts
Many people have preconceived notions about local wines—that they’re all sweet or low-quality—but that’s not the case. It’s an exciting time for Missouri wine, with innovative winemaking techniques and new grapes. Here are a few notable examples.
Noboleis Vineyards & Winery, in Augusta, is one of my favorites. (Full disclosure: It’s the winery that makes Syncopation, my new wine.) Taking a page from California, winemaker Brandon Dixson makes a wine called Baril de Blanc from a French hybrid grape called vidal blanc that’s barrel fermented. It’s aged on its lees and goes through malolactic fermentation, like some classic California chardonnays. Available at Lukas Liquors for $13.99.
Taking a trip to Kansas City? If so, visit the tasting room at Amigoni Urban Winery. Amigoni grows vinifera vines. Vitis vinifera is the species of vine that gives us world-class wines normally found in Northern California, France, and Italy. Amigoni grows such grapes as cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon. The cabernet sauvignon is exceptionally wonderful—big and bold, with red fruit characteristics and velvety tannins. Available at Lukas Liquors for $16.99.
When wine enthusiasts read terms such as “single vineyard” or “estate grown” on a wine label, we tend to think of a Napa Valley reserve cabernet. The concepts of estate-grown and single-vineyard wines are new to Missouri wines, which have traditionally been blends of fruit and vineyard locations. Stone Hill Winery’s Cross J Vineyard Norton is from the old-vine Norton growing outside the owner’s home in Hermann. It pairs perfectly with steak. Available at Lukas Liquors for $24.99.
