Off-Dry Chardonel

From the Strussione Cave Winery near Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, comes a delightful non-vintage Chardonel. Chardonel is more hardy that its well known parent, the beloved Chardonnay grape. Offering tropical flavors of pineapple, citrus, and a hint of coconut, this off-dry white (chilled) is quite refreshing and versatile. Although it can be enjoyed alone, it also paired nicely with our hors d'oeuvres and a vegetable-pasta salad.

Cave Winery is a family affair.  And it is a labor of love for the Strussione family.  If you meet Marty, his passion for winemaking is very apparent -- and so is his knowledge of viticulture and vinification techniques. Congratulations for winning the Jefferson Cup for your 2009 Norton!  I cannot wait to try that 2010!

Check out their website at: www.cavevineyard.com

Cuvee Prestige

Last night was Wine Night.  Each member brings a food item and a bottle of wine. My wine contribution to our group was the Augusta Winery Cuvee Prestige, which received a Bronze medal at the 2011 Missouri Wine Competition. A sip of this dry red wine offered an explosion of raspberry mingling with a softer blackberry flavor evolving into a dry, spicy finish. I heard many say, "Oh!"

Cuvee Prestige catches a person off-guard with its great flavors and complexity.  Savor its impressively long finish and, although it has noticeable acidity, its great balanced. I kept going back for yet another taste. The bottle was empty too soon!

When I find myself in a discussion about the wineries in and around Augusta, Missouri, I frequently hear myself  affirming that Augusta Winery has consistently produced quality wines over the years.

I went to Augusta Winery's website (www.augustawinery.com) this morning and found this statement:


At Augusta Winery the managers and tasting staff are constantly trained on not only the wines we produce, but the wines of the world.  It is through this training that they are able to educate and excite our customers about the merits of our wines and how to enjoy them to their fullest...We take pride in our wines, which are vinted in small quantities so that special care may be given to each lot.

That quote tells us a great deal about Tony Kooyumjian's passion for producing good wines and why he has such a great team at Augusta Winery. This, combined with the knowledge of viticulture and winemaking techniques Tony brings to Augusta, ensures that his customers will always have a selection of interesting wines like the Cuvee Prestige to enjoy.  


Going to the Augusta area is a pleasant drive through the meandering Missouri countryside. If you haven't been to Augusta (and specifically to Augusta Winery) lately, treat yourself with a mini-vacation to the U. S.'s first AVA. You meet the nicest people over a glass of wine. Cheers!

Chandler Hill Vineyards

On a nice fall day, several of us visited Chandler Hill's tasting room.  Chandler Hill Winery is in Defiance, Missouri, near Daniel Boone's Home and Heritage Center owned and operated by Lindenwood University. They are just a couple miles off Highway 94 just west of St. Louis.

We had lunch, enjoyed the live music and, of course, tasted the wines. I had the opportunity to meet Tom Murphy, Winemaker and Vineyard Manager, who was helping out at the tasting bar that Saturday. I had a nice conversation with Tom, a friendly and humble man, who has put together some great wines.  He has created a nicely balanced blend of Missouri reds named King Buck. The Chandler Hill Norton has a great array of fruit flavors (blackberry, cherry, etc.) and spice (cinnamon and nutmeg).  It is not easy to successfully corral the goodness of the Norton grape in a quality dry red wine. Chandler Hill has produced a very good expression of the Norton grape in their Savage Norton 2008. But should you not be in the mood for sampling Midwest wines, Chandler Hill also offers West Coast wines representing some of the best AVAs in Oregon, Washington, and California.

Everything was top-notch at Chandler Hill (see www.chandlerhillvineyards.com).  Whether you are just interested in tasting, or also looking for a tasty lunch and good music, Chandler Hill has an impressive venue with a great view and plenty of seating.

Wine & Ghosts?

Do you believe in Ghosts? This former hotel and Odd Fellows Hall is now Belvoir Winery in Liberty, MO (Just north of Kansas City). The owners have renovated the main floor, using some impressive antique pieces and paintings.  The tasting room boasts a beautiful wooden bar, stained-glass lamps, and assorted wall decorations. Shall I say, "tastefully" done? ;-)

Entering an impressive foyer, guests walk up the steps into the Tasting Room. I could feel the history (spirits?) of this imposing old building.  What a unique winery! There is an abandoned orphanage on the property -- I'm guessing that's a hot spot for ghosts. There is also a mini-museum in the main building where you will meet a skeleton named George.

We were greeted by Danny Wood, writer for the Midwest Wine Press, who mans the tasting bar.  We soon were joined by the winemaker, John, as we sampled his wines. Belvoir currently offers 6 wines: Chardonel, Plumeria (a blend of Seyval, Traminaette, and Vignoles grapes), Sorelle Dolci (a smooth sweet blend of Symphony and Cayuga grapes), Norton, Casanova Medium bodied red blend of Chambourcin, Syrah, and St. Vincent grapes), and Lucky Pierre (Concord, St. Vincent, and Chambourcin blend).

The wines are well made -- Very flavorful and balanced.  I broke my usual pattern and bought the two white blends, I was so impressed with their uniqueness and floral nose as well as the crisp fruitiness.  John, a retired doctor, has a definite talent for blending.

For those of you that have an interest in haunted buildings, Belvoir has periodic late-night Paranormal Investigations from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. -- if you last that long! Just keep that wine glass full -- so you can have spirits with the Spirits!

Next time you get to Kansas City, take a couple hours and travel up to Liberty, Missouri, to Belvoir.