The only bright spot in Missouri's revenue picture - and this is one of those good news/bad news things - is that people seem to be drinking more. We don't mean beer.

In recognition of Texas Wine Month, Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples today announced that Texas wine promoters can apply for individual grants up to $10,000 to be used to increase the current marketing of Texas wine at wine-related events, festivals and educational activities, as part of the new Wine Regional Partnership Grant Program.

Now, it seems like wine bars in Dallas have morphed into value-added venues, whether the value-added is food or an extensive retail business.

Although grape production is down in Texas due to frosts in March and April

After-hours strife prompts decision

Norton seems to be moving up in the world of red wines. More than a handful of Missouri winemakers continue to win state, national and international competitions.

Before they leaped, the Ingels looked. They attended seminars and classes offered by Oklahoma State University, Texas Tech and Texas A&M; they spoke with winery operators; they visited vineyards in California's Napa Valley, all to learn about grape farming. Viticulture, it's called

In the 1860s Spanish missionaries began cultivating grapes near present day El Paso. In 1883, Frank Qualia founded the Val Verde Winery in Del Rio, the oldest bonded winery still in operation today.

Since 2000, the number of wineries in Iowa has jumped from 13 to nearly 80. A new, cold climate grape has allowed Iowa wine-makers to grow grapes in the cold weather.

August marks the grape harvest in the Texas Hill Country. Don't miss the 2009 Harvest Wine Trail Friday through Sunday and Aug. 21-23. Some 24 wineries will participate, and some will have tastings of new releases.

A good glass of wine comes from good grapes. But, a combination of weather concerns is keeping Texas vineyard owners from producing that perfect product.

a combination of weather concerns is keeping Texas vineyard owners from producing that perfect product.

The Texas Department of Agriculture has launched a new tourist initiative designed to draw more wine enthusiasts to the state.

The Texas Department of Agriculture has launched a new tourist initiative designed to draw more wine enthusiasts to the state.

Wine enthusiasts, travelers and consumers can attend the Drink Local Wine inaugural event on August 15th at the Dallas Le Cordon Bleu Institute of Culinary Arts in Dallas, Texas. Conference attendees will learn about Texas wines, mingle with wine writers and can participate in the Texas Twitter taste-off.

Soured on the real estate market, Columbia broker Bob Walters has found what he hopes is a more fruitful pursuit: growing grapes for wine. Downsized banker Mary Becker also is dabbling in the business, planting vines on the 120 acres south of Kansas City.

It's the Upper Mississippi River Valley, covering a whopping 29,914 square miles (77,477 square kilometres) and encompassing portions of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa. That's 39 times the Napa Valley's puny 759 or so square miles (1,966 square kilometres).

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is applying for a permit to sell beer and wine at its Supercenter in Mountain Home. The application comes seven years after the company dropped a similar request when local churches and the city's mayor objected.

According to a study from Iowa State University, there were only 13 wineries in Iowa in 2000, and now, that number has blown its cork off to 70.

The Alcohol and Tobacco and Tax Trade Bureau will recognize the Upper Mississippi River Valley American Viticultural Area, which will be the largest wine region in the country.