St. James Winery Velvet Red

St. James Winery Velvet Red is a sweet red wine made from 100% Concord grapes at 10.5% ABV in a standard 750ml bottle. A multiple gold medal winner — including honors at the San Francisco International Wine Competition and the 2022 Missouri Wine Competition — this expression has become one of Missouri's most recognized sweet reds, built on a grape-growing heritage stretching back to the late 1800s.

Quick Facts: ABV: 10.5%  |  Origin: Ozark Highlands AVA, Missouri  |  Varietal: 100% Concord  |  Winery: St. James Winery  |  Residual Sugar: 12.1%

Production & Heritage

St. James Winery sits in the heart of Missouri's Ozark Highlands AVA, a region whose grape-growing roots trace back to Italian immigrants who settled the area in the late 1800s. The vineyards here — originally cultivated to supply Welch's grape juice — now produce the Concord grapes that define Velvet Red. The Meramec Highlands contribute distinctive soil composition and unique weather patterns that shape the character of the fruit, yielding a wine with 12.1% residual sugar and a pronounced, aromatic grape profile that remains faithful to the variety.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Immediately evocative of ripe, freshly picked Concord grapes with an intense, aromatic sweetness. There is a lush fruitiness that fills the glass without any harsh or artificial edge.

Taste: The entry is soft and generously sweet, with that unmistakable Concord grape flavor front and center. At mid-palate, the wine turns mouth-filling and juicy, with a velvety texture that rounds out the sweetness. The 12.1% residual sugar is well-integrated, reading as ripe fruit rather than cloying syrup.

Finish: Medium in length with a smooth, plush fade. Lingering grape and berry notes persist cleanly, leaving a fresh, fruity impression.

How to Drink Velvet Red

St. James Winery recommends serving Velvet Red chilled, which tempers the sweetness and brings out the fruit's natural vibrancy. Slightly below room temperature — around 55–60°F — works well for those who prefer a fuller body. Beyond straight pours, the wine's bold Concord character lends itself to several mixed applications: a Red Wine Sangria, where its natural grape sweetness replaces added sugar and pairs effortlessly with sliced citrus and stone fruit; a Wine Spritzer, combining Velvet Red with sparkling water and a squeeze of lime for a refreshing warm-weather drink; and a Mulled Wine, where its aromatic richness stands up to warming spices like cinnamon, clove, and star anise during colder months.

Best For

• Introducing friends or family members who prefer sweeter flavors to the world of wine
• Casual backyard gatherings and cookouts where a crowd-pleasing pour is needed
• Holiday entertaining, especially as a base for mulled wine or sangria batches
• Gifting to anyone who appreciates American heritage wines or Missouri-made products

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Velvet Red taste like? Velvet Red delivers a rich, sweet Concord grape flavor with a velvety smooth texture and mouth-filling fruitiness. It tastes remarkably like ripe, just-picked Concord grapes in liquid form, with balanced sweetness from its 12.1% residual sugar.

How does Velvet Red compare to Manischewitz Concord Grape? Both wines are made from Concord grapes and sit firmly in the sweet red category, but Velvet Red at 10.5% ABV carries a slightly higher alcohol content and is produced from Missouri Ozark Highlands AVA fruit with an emphasis on a velvety mouthfeel. Manischewitz is a kosher wine with a longer national distribution history, while St. James Winery draws on a regional grape-growing tradition dating to the 1800s.

Is Velvet Red good for beginners? Velvet Red is an excellent entry point for anyone new to wine, as its pronounced sweetness and familiar Concord grape flavor make it immediately approachable. Serving it chilled further enhances its drinkability.

Where is Velvet Red made? Velvet Red is produced by St. James Winery in the Ozark Highlands AVA of Missouri. The vineyards sit in the Meramec Highlands, a sub-region known for its distinctive soil and microclimatic conditions.

What foods pair well with Velvet Red? Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or grape-based desserts mirror the Concord flavor directly. Sharp cheddar or aged gouda provides a savory counterpoint to the wine's sweetness. Grilled chicken with a fruit-based glaze complements its fruity profile. Dark chocolate desserts work well, as the bitterness of cocoa balances the residual sugar. Spicy barbecue ribs benefit from the wine's sweetness, which tempers heat on the palate.

What sizes does Velvet Red come in? The standard offering is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Velvet Red worth the price? Velvet Red positions as a value-tier sweet red wine that consistently punches above its price point, evidenced by multiple gold medals at both regional and international competitions. For a gold medal-winning 100% Concord wine from a recognized AVA, it represents strong value within the sweet wine category.

Why Velvet Red?

What separates Velvet Red from generic sweet reds is its pedigree: multiple gold medals at respected competitions — including the San Francisco International Wine Competition and the Indy International Wine Competition — validate its quality against national and international fields. The wine is made entirely from Concord grapes grown in the Ozark Highlands AVA, a federally designated appellation with a grape-growing history that predates Prohibition. The vineyards themselves were originally planted to supply Welch's grape juice, making this wine a direct link to one of Missouri's oldest agricultural traditions. For anyone seeking a sweet red that delivers authentic varietal character backed by competition credentials, Velvet Red earns serious consideration.