Friday, April 29, 2016

How To Become a Wine Snob!

There's nothing we love more than a delicious glass of the best Missouri wine, but to truly savor a glass, sometimes you have to tap into your inner wine snob. From the way the wine looks, to the way it smells, and finally tastes, all of these details work together to create a wonderful sipping experience that can't be beat. At Seven Springs Winery, we have created a lovely venue where you can sip your wine slowly, peacefully, and snobbily. If you have yet to really learn how to be a wine snob, we have a few tips that are sure to help you!


LOOK

Come out and buy your favorite bottle of wine. Then you pour a glass and take a really good look at it. You can tilt the glass away from you to admire the color of the wine from the rim edges to the middle of the glass. If you can find a light colored background to hold it against, you'll look especially snobby. What color are you seeing? Look beyond red or white. Is the red shade a maroon, purple, ruby, garnet, red, brick or even brownish? Does your glass of white wine have a clear, pale yellow, straw-like, light green, golden, amber or brown appearance? These are observations that you can write down in your wine notebook so that you don't forget a single detail of your favorite Lake of the Ozarks wine. Next, you will inspect the opacity. Is the wine watery, or dark, translucent or opaque, dull or brilliant, cloudy or clear? Tilt your glass a bit, give it a little swirl, and look again. Do you see sediment, bits of cork or anything else? An older red wine will often have more orange tinges than a younger wine. An older white wine can be darker than younger varieties, even when comparing the same varietal different ages.


SMELL

Your sense of smell can be your most powerful sense when sipping a glass of wine. Get a good impression of the wine's aroma by swirling your glass for at least 10-12 seconds. This helps vaporize some of the wine's alcohol and release more of its natural aromas. After you've swirled it for a bit, take a quick whiff to get the first impression of this amazing wine. Now you can stick your nose down into the glass and take a deep inhale through your nose. What else do you catch in this whiff? Do you recognize scents of oak, berry, flowers, vanilla or citrus? The aroma of a wine can tell you so much about it, the quality and unique characteristics. If you want to really look like you have a nose for wine, you can swirl it again and let the aromas mix and mingle, finally sniff once more.

TASTE

Now for the best part, tasting your sparkling glass of wine. Start with a small sip and roll it around in your mouth. First, you'll want to notice the initial impression that the wine makes in your mouth. You'll want to notice if the alcohol content, tannin levels, acidity and residual sugars are well balanced, and that one isn't more prominent than the other. Next, you'll start to observe the wine's actual taste on your palate. Discern the flavor profile of the wine you're drinking. If it's red, you may notice fruit, berry, plum, prune or fig - maybe even some spice like pepper, clove, cinnamon, or a woody flavor like oak, cedar or some smokiness. Are you tasting a white wine? You may observe apple, pear, tropical or citrus fruits. You may even begin to pick up on hints of honey, butter, herbs or some earthiness. Finally, how long does the wine leave an impression on your taste buds? This is called The Finish. The wine culminates, and you will notice the aftertaste.


Wine Tasting at the Lake of the Ozarks

If you would like to find the perfect place to show off your wine tasting skills, we would love to give you some wine to try! When you visit our winery, you can try three FREE wines, and if you want to try all of them, for a small fee you can. Come out and visit our Lake of the Ozarks winery for an evening, afternoon, or even the whole day!

Come for the wine...Stay for the atmosphere...Remember the view! 

Seven Springs is the finest Winery at the Lake of the Ozarks with a full-service facility perfect for outdoor weddings, receptions, rehearsal dinners, corporate events and parties.  Call us today to make reservations for your special event!

Seven Springs Winery
573.317.0100
846 Winery Hills Estates
Linn Creek, MO 65052

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Exciting Wedding Games That Make Your Day A Party!

Everyone loves a good party, and one way to make your wedding especially fun is to incorporate games! Whether you're having your wedding indoors or out, you can utilize these fun games to keep your guests entertained throughout the night. At Seven Springs Winery, we have a variety of venue locations that will make your ceremony beautiful and your reception fun! Here are a few neat ideas you can include in your reception festivities.

Photo Credit: Scarlett Curtis

Wedding Guess Who

Do you have fond memories of playing Guess Who with your friends or siblings? You can find old boards at second-hand stores, and then insert photos of your guests! You can have several boards scattered around your Lake of the Ozarks wedding venue, and then see how many people can Guess Who is on the board!

Ring Toss

If you like to save your Missouri wine bottles, you can put them in a cute box, and everyone can try to throw hoops and land around the bottles. If you want to take it up a notch, you can always make the "rings" giant renditions of your own gorgeous bling!

Photo Credit: Fab You Bliss

Wedding Cross Word

Crosswords are a fun pastime, and can be a great way to entertain your guests while they're waiting for the ceremony to start, or when they are sitting at their table enjoying their meal. Think of several words that describe your relationship with your significant other, and then you can plug them into a crossword generator online! You can put this on your programs, a large sign with glass over it so it can be erased, or even on the reception tables.

"Put A Ring On It"

This game is quite simple, you set out a bowl of crazy plastic rings, and everyone who wants to play takes one. From that point on, they are not allowed to say "wedding" or "bride." If you catch someone saying those words, you get to steal their ring! The person with the most rings at the end of the wedding gets a fun prize of your choice.

Customized Corn Hole

This is a fun game that can be enjoyed by all ages and is often found scattered around Pinterest for weddings. You can customize the boards with your wedding colors or themes and then play away for a fun evening! This can be played indoors or out, so you can incorporate it no matter what time of year you get married!

I Spy

Photo Credit: Whimsical Wonderland Weddings
Create a list of items that people have to search for and grab on the phones throughout the night! This can be a fun game for adults and kids alike. Whoever finds the most things on your list can receive a fun prize or special wedding favor. Here is an example of some things you can have your guests search for:
  • A big hug
  • A kiss
  • Worst dancer
  • A bubbly drink
  • Your table as a group
  • Sparkly diamond
  • Clinking of glasses
  • A white dress
  • Holding hands
  • Twirling around
  • Someone tweeting
  • (Or Anything that catches your eye!)
You can also ask your guests to send you their photos after the wedding so you can have some fun moments that were captured!

Photo Credit: Bridal Shower Ideas 4 U 

What's In Your Purse?

This is a fun game for the ladies at your wedding! Provide them with a list of items that could possibly be found in a purse, all the way from mints/gum to spoons. Every item has a set amount of points, and the ladies can tally up their point total based on the results their purse offers! Don't forget to choose a really fun prize for the winner!

Best Wedding Venue at the Lake of the Ozarks

At Seven Spring Winery, we can't wait to help you host a beautiful wedding that will bring a smile to your face, and give your guests wonderful memories. You can choose from our beautiful gazebo for your Lake of the Ozarks wedding or our wedding banquet center. Visit our website today to learn more about our wedding packages, and then book your special day today!


Come for the wine...Stay for the atmosphere...Remember the view! 

Seven Springs is the finest Winery at the Lake of the Ozarks with a full-service facility perfect for outdoor weddings, receptions, rehearsal dinners, corporate events and parties.  Call us today to make reservations for your special event!

Seven Springs Winery
573.317.0100
846 Winery Hills Estates
Linn Creek, MO 65052

Friday, April 15, 2016

5 Reasons to Book Your Christmas Party In April!

Call us crazy, but it's already time to start thinking about your corporate Christmas party! There may not be sleigh bells ringing, or Christmas tunes playing, but we book up fast during the holiday season, and if you want to guarantee your spot, you'll need to start thinking about the most wonderful time of the year. If you've been dubbed the "Company Christmas Coordinator" you've come to the right place. Today we'll show you why you need to start planning today instead of six months later.


Save the Stress

If you think about it, when you get to the holiday season, you already have enough going on as it is. If you combine that with the fact that your favorite Lake of the Ozarks venue is booked full, you are setting yourself up for some stress. Save yourself a headache, and book your business party or family gathering today!

You Can Pick the Best Venue at the Lake of the Ozarks

The long you wait, the fewer options you have when you need to pick a venue. In fact, you may not even get the venue you desire if you wait too long. We have several different spaces, from large to small. If you call now, not only will you get the venue, but you'll get the room you desire.

Save Your Date!

By booking early, you are guaranteeing that you get the time you want. Whether you want to do your party on a weeknight or weekend, early booking lets you choose and offers you flexibility. Even by waiting till September or October, you could be making it more challenging to get the dates you want. Aside from that, it could be hard to get a majority of your staff to come if you wait too long to set the date and get the venue. If you book your date today and send out an email to your employees and co-workers, they can add it to the calendar and most likely won't have plans this far ahead of time.

Dispell Disappointment

Disappointment is likely when you wait too long to make plans. Not being able to host your holiday event at Seven Springs Winery because we're all booked up would be pretty disappointing, not only for you but your co-workers too. Disappointment also comes in the form of not being able to get the date you want. If you wait too long, most of your co-workers will have something going on, and then they may be disappointed not to be able to attend.

It Gives You Something to Look Forward To!

Planning early can save you stress later on, but it can also give you something to look forward to! When you have all of the planning done in advance, you can just look forward to the event without feeling the stress or pressures that would come when planning last minute.

Book Your Lake of the Ozarks Holiday Party!

It's never too early to book your holiday party at the best winery at the Lake of the Ozarks. While you may be planning summer vacations or Spring Breaks, planning Christmas in advance will save you stress in the long run. We can create a custom meal to fit your needs, and even offer a shuttle service! Give us a call at 573-317-0100 to start planning your holiday party today!

Come for the wine...Stay for the atmosphere...Remember the view! 

Seven Springs is the finest Winery at the Lake of the Ozarks with a full-service facility perfect for outdoor weddings, receptions, rehearsal dinners, corporate events and parties.  Call us today to make reservations for your special event!

Seven Springs Winery
573.317.0100
846 Winery Hills Estates
Linn Creek, MO 65052



Thursday, April 7, 2016

What to Pair with Our Seven Springs Wines

At Seven Springs Winery, we pride ourselves on providing the best wine at the Lake of the Ozarks. Our Missouri Wines are made with extreme care, and we hope you enjoy sipping them as much as we enjoy making them. Here are our 13 delicious wines, and what they will pair wonderfully with on our menu. Remember, our menu is going to change at the first of May, so come enjoy these items now while you still can!



Dry Vignoles 
Aromas of Tangerine and oranges. Crisp vibrant acidity precedes a long and refreshing finish.
Pair with: German Pretzel Bread 
Bavarian style pretzel bread sprinkled with sea salt and served with spicy mustard.

Chardonel
Light to medium straw color. Medium body, fruity with toasted oak.
Pair with: Penne Pesto Pasta 
Lightly tossed with extra virgin olive oil, pesto, and parmesan cheese. Served with a side salad and garlic bread

Traminette
Light straw with green hues. Light bodied, with a fruity yet off dry finish.
Pair with: Spinach & Artichoke Dip
Artichokes and spinach with garlic, baked in a creamy white cheese sauce, served with herbed crostini.

Vignoles
Mid straw color with olive green tone. Flavorful bodied, peach, melon & citrus.
Pair with: Boursin Stuffed Mushrooms
jumbo mushroom caps, stuffed with garlic herb Boursin cheese. topped with mozzarella and baked.
served with pasta salad.

Spring Fling
Light straw color with a lime green rim. Light bodied with fruity, citrus & lychee.
Pair with: Cranberry & Curried Chicken Salad Unique Turkish-style chicken salad with dried cranberries, toasted almond, onion, mild yellow curry and mixed field greens rolled into a whole wheat tortilla.

Muscato Sparkling
Brilliant, light straw, tropical fruit & flowers. Light bodied, fruit forward sparkling finish.
Pair with: Award Winner Best of the Lake: Spicy Shrimp & Crab Bisque Wild bay shrimp, lump crab, herbs, and cayenne in a rich cream sauce

Syrah
Aromas of currant, blackberry, black pepper with a subtle vanilla oak finish.
Pair with: Florida Style Crab Cakes Real house made crab cakes, sautéed in olive oil, topped with a creamy seafood sauce. served over field greens and topped with walnut nuggets.

Norton
An opaque deep plum color, tobacco, oak. Full bodied, spicy smooth persistent finish.
Pair with: Black and Blue Tender roast beef, bleu cheese, red onion & roasted red peppers.

Sangria Rojo
A light, refreshing blend of sprite, orange juice, and Dry Rougeon wine.
Pair with: Mediterranean Pizza spinach, artichokes, roasted red pepper and kalamata olives topped with a blend of Italian herbs and cheeses. Baked on focaccia bread.

Seven’s Red Heaven
Beautiful deep plum color with refreshing, Crisp fruit flavors & a distinct sweet finish.
Pair with: Meat and Cheese Platter Summer sausages & aged cheddar with assorted crackers and crostini.



Best Winery at the Lake of the Ozarks

At Seven Springs Winery, not only can you enjoy a delicious glass of wine, but you can enjoy our fabulous menu. We love to change it up occasionally and keep new things on there to peak your interest. Our Winter 2015 menu will be retired at the beginning of May 2016, so if you haven't tried anything on our menu yet, you need to get here soon! We've conveniently listed the best wine to pair with every item on the menu, and we love to hear your pairing ideas.

Come for the wine...Stay for the atmosphere...Remember the view! 

Seven Springs is the finest Winery at the Lake of the Ozarks with a full-service facility perfect for outdoor weddings, receptions, rehearsal dinners, corporate events and parties.  Call us today to make reservations for your special event!

Seven Springs Winery
573.317.0100
846 Winery Hills Estates
Linn Creek, MO 65052