Grape Varieties
There are several varieties of grapes that are compatible to Minnesota
climate. There are lots of grape varieties, but I am primarily interested
in varieties that grow in Minnesota and located in the Twin Cities area
... or the five state region ... or having international fame.
Red Wines
Foch - a red wine grape, a hybrid from France, which has grown to
great popularity in parts of the USA. At this time it is the most
widely planted grape in the region.
Frontenac - a red wine grape, the first of the University
of Minnesota new line of cold hardy hybrids, which produces a medium
bodied red wine with distinct cherry and black cherry flavors. It
has grown in popularity very rapidly and will soon overtake Foch as the
number one variety in Minnesota vineyards.
Saint Croix - a red wine grape, a Swneson
Hybrid, is among the most popular of his line of releases. It
produces a medium bodied red wine with good frutiness and aroma.
White Wines
Seyval - A white wine grape, a hybrid from France, that was once
among the most widely planted grapes in the area. It can produce
a clean, crisp white dinner wine of good character and body.
Saint Pepin - a white wine grape, a Swenson
Hybrid, that makes a clean, very fruity an grapey white wine that is
gaining in popularity.
LaCrosse - a white wine grape, Swenson
Hybrid, producing a white wine of good body and character. Often
used locally in blending or to make a slightly sweet pleasantly fruity
wine.
Edelweiss - a Swenson Hybrid
A bit on Elmer Swenson
You may have noticed a large number of regional grape vines are Swenson
Hybids. Elmer Swenson is considered the godfather of Minnesota/Wisconsin
viticulture. He has been hybridizing grapes at his Wisconsin Dairy
farm in Osceola, Wisconsin since 1943. The grape varieties are cold
hardy, disease-resistant, ripen early, and provide wonderful fruit flavors
that come through in the wines.
A bit on the University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota has had a grape-breeding program since 1983.
Its sole release so far has been the red wine variety named Frontenac.
For comments or suggestions, please contact Mark,
the webmaster
© 2001 Mark D. Glewwe
WWW Home Page for Glewwe Family (www.glewwe-castle.com)
Last modified October 09, 2001