New for 2025! The Missouri Wine and Grape Board and Grape and Wine Institute (GWI) at the University of Missouri have created a Standard of Excellence Quality Program as a way to elevate the Missouri Wines that are passed to you, the consumer. WISE which stands for Wine Industry Standard of Excellence has a panel of judges from across the state that evaluates each wine submitted that goes through two separate tests to ensure that Missouri Wines meet the quality standards to improve and elevate Missouri’s wine offerings across the state.
- The first test is a qualitative test made up of two panels of wine experts. Similar to the judging in the Missouri Governor’s Cup—they do a blind panel test that implements consensus testing and is conducted four times per year.
- The second test is a quantitative test that provides an analytical fingerprint for a variety of factors including
- PH Balance
- Alcohol Level
- Residual Sugar
- Total Acidity
- Sulfur Dioxide levels
If a wine passes both tests, it is awarded the GWI Quality Assurance Program’s WISE Choice Sticker for use on wine labels, proving it has met the standards. Right now this is a voluntary program for wineries to participate in. It’s at the ground level now, but as it grows, it’ll help Missouri Wine and Wineries to evolve and let us show our consumers (We are the Show Me State) how great Missouri Wines are!