Blue Bell
Derived from a Beta cross with an unknown variety. Is high quality blue seeded variety developed by Univ. Minnesota. Has good disease resistance and is cold-hardy to -40 deg. F. (ca -42 C.). Recommended as a table grape and for juice production in colder Mid-western states of USA.
Swanson Red
Red to blue seeded table grape. Hardy to -25 F- -30 F. Above average vigor. Meaty texture with tender skin. Incredible strawberry-like flavor, much like a good seeded California table grape. Susceptible to downy mildew in some sites and years. Selected by Elmer Swenson.
Somerset
A seedless grape with small, orange-red berries and good flavor. It’s hardy to about -30F. Selected by Elmer Swenson. Great as a table grape.
Frontenac
Introduced in 1995, Frontenac is the first in a series of new wine grape varieties developed by the University of Minnesota for Upper Midwest conditions. A cross of V. riparia 89 with the French hybrid Landot 4511, Frontenac combines many of the best characteristics of each parent. Frontenac is a very cold hardy vine and has borne a full crop after temperatures as low as -30 F. It is also a very disease resistant variety with good resistance to powdery mildew and near-immunity to downy. Initially acids are high, but often drop dramatically late in the season. Fortunately, the pH does not often rise to dangerous levels. When grown in colder area the berries must be left on the vine long enough to mature fully. It produces only a moderate number of tendrils, which facilitates vine management
Frontenac Gris
White wine. Found growing at the University of Minnesota as a sport of Frontenac. Culturally, it is identical to Frontenac, having high vigor and yields. Hardy to at least -38 F. Disease resistance is good, with moderate suseptability to powdery mildew and black rot, and very low suseptability to downy mildew. Small grey berries are born on medium sized, loose clusters. Berry splitting and botrytis have not been observed. Suitable for high quality table and dessert wines, possibly ice wine as well. Ripens mid season with aromas that include peach, apricot, citrus, and pineapple. Labrusca and herbaceous aromas have not been detected. Selected by the University of Minnesota.
Marquette
Marquette is a cousin of Frontenac and grandson of Pinot noir. It originated from a cross of MN 1094, a complex hybrid of V. riparia, V. vinifera, and other Vitis species, with Ravat 262. Viticulturally, Marquette is outstanding. Resistance to downy mildew, powdery mildew, and black rot has been very good. Its open, orderly growth habit makes vine canopy management efficient.
Marquette’s high sugar and moderate acidity make it very manageable in the winery. Finished wines are complex, with attractive ruby color, pronounced tannins, and desirable notes of cherry, berry, black pepper, and spice on both nose and palate. As a red wine, Marquette represents a new standard in cold hardy viticulture and enology.