Missouri had the first AVA in America? Show Me!

Wine Appraiser

Tonight, we will learn about and taste two wines, made from grape varieties unfamiliar to many of us. First, we will taste a Vignoles (white) and then have a Norton (red).

Both wines come from small AVA’s in east central Missouri, along the Missouri River. The first wine we are tasting is a Vignoles from the first AVA in the US. It comes from the Augusta AVA. Vignoles is a hybrid grape originated in France from a cross of Seibel and Pinot de Corton. It was imported to the US and the Finger Lakes Wine Growers Association named it Vignoles in 1970. However, it has since been DNA tested and found to have very little if any genetic markers in common with Seibel or Pinot Noir. Therefore, its parentage is in question. Vignoles is the most common white wine grape grown in Missouri but is also grown in other states including New York. The wines can be sweet, semi-sweet, or dry. Vignoles is also used for dessert wines or ice wines. Wines are medium in body and crisp; with flavors of tropical fruits, citrus, and floral.

Our second wine is a Norton from another small AVA in east central Missouri. The Hermann AVA is located along the Missouri River. German settlers came to the area in the 1830s, finding it similar to the Rhine River region of Germany. They immediately started growing grapes.

Norton is the official state grape of Missouri and the number-one-grown grape in the state. Dr. Daniel Norborne Norton developed the variety in Richmond, Virginia in the early 1800’s. It produces a dry red wine with complex flavors.

A Stone Hill Norton was named the “Best Red Wine of all Nations” in 1873 at the Vienna World Exposition.

Norton wine is a full-bodied, dry, red wine. Aromas of red and black fruits, coffee, chocolate, flowers, cloves, and leather. Tastes of raspberry, cherry, pomegranate, blackberry, blackcurrant, plum, vanilla, and spice. It also has a rich mouthfeel, smooth finish, and oak notes.

It is also known as Cynthiana.

It is very age-worthy. High-quality Norton wines reach their peak around 8 years of age and remain that way for another 8 years.

Tonight, we taste:

1. Balducci Vineyards – 2021 Vignoles purchased at the winery for $30.00. Tastes of pineapple, apricots, peaches, lemon, orange. Vignoles pairs well with salty foods, Brie cheese, spiced pecans, candied walnuts, Asian chicken, spicy pork ribs, seafood green or yellow curry, spicy peppers, spicy barbecue, chutney, and apricot.
2. 2020 J Cross Norton from Stone Hill Winery of Hermann, Missouri. Purchased at Vineyard for $40.00. Aromas of ripe plum, blackberries, tart cherries, moist soil. Taste of plum, blackberry, leather, oak, chocolate, tobacco, and licorice. Pairs with steak, red meats, game meats. This wine can replace Cabernet Sauvignon.

Next week We have an election show special and we will taste some Rioja:

1. 2017 Marques de Caceres, Rioja. Purchased from Costco for $17.99.
2. 2022 Vina Torcida Tempranillo, Rioja. Purchased at Wine Styles for $20.00.
3. 2018 Trader Joe’s, Rioja. Purchased from Trader Joe’s for $9.99.