Missouri Wine Country

Entertainment calendar for June 22

EVENTS

HALF-PRICE CARNIVAL RIDE TICKETS are on sale through June 30 at the Renaud Spirit Center, 2650 Tri Sports Circle, O'Fallon and the O'Fallon Parks and Recreation office, 400 Civic Park Drive, O'Fallon. The ride tickets are for the three-day Heritage & Freedom Fest at the Ozzie Smith Sports Complex, 900 T.R. Hughes Blvd., O'Fallon. The discounted tickets are non-refundable and good from 5-10 p.m. July 2; noon-11 p.m. July 3; and noon-10 p.m. July 4. For more information, go to www.heritageandfreedomfest.com .

CONTEMPORARY NARRATIVE will take place through July 29 at the Foundry Art Centre, 520 N. Main Center, St. Charles. The exhibit is open to the public and free. For more information, go to www.foundryartcentre.org or call 636-255-0270.

QUICK TIME STORY TIME will take place from 10-10:45 a.m. June 22 at Spencer Road Branch Library, 427 Spencer Road, St. Peters. Event is for ages 3-6. Story will be "The Way We Dress," (June 22). Registration is not required. For more information, go to www.youranswerplace.org or call 636-447-2320.

TEEN KNITTING CLUB will take place from 3-4:30 p.m. June 22 at McClay Branch Library, 2760 McClay Road, St. Charles. Event is for grades 6-12. Participants will learn the basics of knitting. Club is open to beginners and experienced knitters, as well as crocheters. Participants should bring size nine or 10 knitting needles and a skein of yarn. Registration is required and limited to 20 participants. For more information, go to www.youranswerplace.org or call 636-441-7577.

SAFARI FUN STORY TIME will take place from 10-10:45 a.m. June 22 and 24 at McClay Branch Library, 2760 McClay Road, St. Charles. Event is for ages 3-6. Registration is required and limited to 25 participants. For more information or to register, go to www.youranswerplace.org or call 636-441-7577.

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME will take place from 10-10:45 a.m. and 1-1:45 p.m. June 22 and 29 at Corporate Parkway Branch Library, 1200 Corporate Pkwy., Wentzville. Event is for ages 3-6. Registration is required and limited to 40 participants. For more information or to register, go to www.youranswerplace.org or call 636-327-4010.

JUNE STORY TIMES will take place from 10-10:45 a.m. June 22, 28 and 29 and 11:15-noon June 28 at Deer Run Branch Library, 1300 N. Main St., O'Fallon. Event is for ages 3-6. Stories will be "Tropical Stories," (June 22) and "Rainforest Adventures," (June 28 and 29). Registration is required and limited to 20 participants. For more information or to register, go to www.youranswerplace.org or call 636-978-3261.

Tasting Missouri Wines - Tripatini

Well…I am impressed.  America’s first wine country not only boasts some solid wines, but also has its very own state grape glass – the Riedal Crystal Norton Wine Glass. Hardly anyone gets that, let alone a small wine district in the middle of the country.   I had a chance to taste some great wines in that glass and spend a few days in Lake of the Ozarks and Columbia, Missouri, hanging out at some great wineries, tasting and talking with owners, winemakers, and chefs. If you’re headed to the Midwest, make time to tour this up-and-coming wine region, and be sure to bring home the Norton glass as a souvenir.  The unique glass is specially designed to showcase the floral notes, high tannin levels and full-bodied fruit flavors of the Norton wine. Its etched base reads “Norton” and sells for about $30.00 a pair.

As the saying goes, “Great wines begin in the vineyard.”   Missouri gets a variety of weather --from snow and ice to intense summer temperatures and an occasional “wind storm” or two.  It takes a resilient grape variety to stand up to such dramatic weather, but in the last century, viticulturists have cultivated and developed strains that flourish in the precarious climate. Here's a primer on the most prominent grape varieties you'll encounter on your trip to Missouri Wine Country and some information on the wines that come from these grapes.

Chardonel (shar-du-nel) – A cross of the well-known Chardonnay grape with Seyval, Chardonel is generally barrel fermented, very dry and full bodied. Depending on barrel time and winemaker style, it can display notes of oak, butter or citrus fruit.

Seyval (say-vahl) Blanc - A French-American hybrid grape that makes a dry to semi-dry, clean, crisp medium-bodied wine with an herbal, fresh flavor. The barrel fermented Seyval takes on an oak complexity more indicative of Chardonel.

Vidal (vee-dahl) Blanc - A French-American hybrid used to make a dry to semi-dry, full-bodied wine with fruity characteristics, Vidal's clean citrus flavors of lemon and grapefruit create a nicely balanced wine that's "Germanic" in style.

  Vignoles (veen-yole) - One of Missouri's most versatile white grapes, this French-American hybrid produces wines ranging from dry to sweet, late harvest dessert wines depending on the winemaker’s vision. Vignoles displays flowery aroma and fruity flavors of pineapple and apricot making this citrus white wine a favorite.

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