JEFFERSON CITY — Whether you cozy up to a warm, crackling fire or plan to explore Missouri wine country this winter, now is a great time to discover Norton, Missouri’s standout wine grape. The Missouri Wine and Grape Board invites you to celebrate Norton during the month of January.
Norton, sometimes called Cynthiana, is one of the oldest grape varieties grown in the United States. A doctor, Daniel Norton, discovered the varietal near Richmond, Va., in 1835. In the 1800s, Germans who settled in Missouri found the varietal to be extremely hardy and able to endure the state’s cold winters and humid summers. Norton is also one of the most disease-resistant grape varieties. That may be why the grape is the most popular varietal grown in Missouri. Norton grows on more than 350 acres and accounts for 20.7 percent of all the grapes grown in the state. For these reasons and more, Norton has become the standout grape of Missouri wine country.
Norton was named Missouri’s official state grape in 2003. The varietal’s grape clusters are small to medium-sized with small blue-black berries. Wineries harvest Norton late during the season, then ferment the varietal on its skins. The dry, full-bodied red wine has rich, supple tannins and spicy aromas with fruity overtones. Food-friendly Norton is the perfect wine to complement smoked meat, wild game, lamb, steak, barbecue and bold cheeses.
Usher in the excitement of the new year by discovering Missouri’s standout wine. Visit missouriwine.org and start planning your journey to Missouri wine country.
— Missouri Department of Agriculture
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