Notes on various hybrid wine grape varieties, sorted in order of black rot susceptibilty. Other disease score is the sum of downy mildew, powdery mildew, and botyris. Slightly susceptible is 1, moderately susceptible is 2, highly susceptible is 3. Varieties in bold are currently being grown. The primary goal is to identify winter hardy varieties that can stand on their own as a varietal wine, with minimal adjustments to chemistry which are not highly susceptible to diseases prevalent in the North East. A secondary goal is to identify 1 or 2 varieties that would be possible blending candidates to correct chemistry problems (such as acidity and sugar). Previous USDA zone was 5b. New zone is listed at 6. With the current site elevation, the proper zone is probably closer to 5. There are also patented hybrids from Davis Vines that may be appropriate for the climate and location. However, third party data on these vines is not readily available.
Slightly Susceptible
- Alpenglow – An Elmer Swenson variety, ES-2-8-1, cross of ES 5-1-4 x “Swenson Red”, Cold hardy to -20F, early ripening (9/1 in Minnesota) , low in sugar and low in acid, wine considered light, blending component for high acid whites. Light red berries. Other disease score is 5. Zone 4
- Cayuga White – Seyve Villard 5-276 x Schuyler. Ripens end of September in New York, with brix levels of 17 to 19. Reports that it needs to be picked early to avoid Labrusca-like overtones. Other disease score is 4. Zone 5.
- Chancellor – Seibel 7053. Supposedly produces some of the best quality red wines among the hybrids. Wine made from Lake Erie grapes was poor quality. Has good color, possibly suitable for blending. Other disease score is 7. ighly susceptible to downey and powdery mildew. Zone 5.
- Chelois – Other disease score is 5. Highly susceptible to powdery mildew
- DeChaunac – Other disease score is 6. Highly susceptible to powdery mildew
- Espirit -
- GR-7
- Ives
- Kay Gray
- Landot Noir 4511
- Leon Millot
- Louise Swenson
- Marquette – Promising Minnesota hybrid, was unavailable for first vineyard planting. Cold hardy to -36F. Ripens mid September in MN, with yields of 3.4 tons/acre. Sugars of 25 brix, ph of 3.0, and relatively high acidity have been reported (12 g/L), but less than Frontenac. Other disease score is 3. Zone 3.
- New York Muscat
- Noiret
- NY76.0844.24
- NY95.0301.01
- Sabrevois – Elmer Swenson varietal, ES 2-1-9. Struggles to reach 20 Brix. Winter hardy to -30F. Other disease score 3. Zone 3.
- St. Croix – E.S. 283 x E.S. 193, cold hardy to -30F. Reaches 20 brix, low tannin grape. Other disease score is 6. Zone 3.
- St. Pepin
- Swenson Red
- Vidal Blanc – Other disease score is 6. Highly susceptible to powdery mildew. Zone 6.
- Vignoles
Moderately Susceptible
- Brianna – An Elmer Swenson variety, ES 7-4-76
- Chardonel
- Colobel
- Corot Noir
- Frontenac – U of MN variety, Elmer Swenson hybrid. Ripens early in MN, Brix of 25, pH of 2.9, Titratable acidity around 15 g/L (That’s really high). Needs to sit on the vine to reduce acidity. Possible issues with bird damage. Cold hardy to -33F. Other disease score is 4. Zone 3.
- Frontenac Gris White “sport” of Frontenac.
- LaCrescent – U Minn, St. Pepin x ES 6-8-25. Cold hardy to -36F. Brix ranges 22 to 27 with high acidity. Other disease score 6. Highly susceptible to downey mildew. Zone 3.
- Marechal Foch – French-American Hybrid, small dark red berries, good winter hardiness, has somewhat of an off metallic flavor. Severe bird damage if left uncovered. In trial plantings, vines in full sun show black rot on the leaves, minimal black rot on fruit. Five spur pruning method in a vertical shoot trellis seems to work well. Other disease score is 4. Zone 4.
- NY81.0315.17
- Prairie Star
- Ravat 34
- Rougeon
- St. Vincent
- Traminette – Backyard planting with some shade shows extreme black rot problems, much more than Foch in full sunlight. Wine from Erie grapes has been quite exceptional as a standalone varietal and also has a blend with small amounts of Riesling. Other disease score is 6. Zone 5.
- Valvin Muscat
- Villard Blanc
- Vincent
