Varietal Character

Prairie Star
Swensen and University of Minnesota Grapes (Bluebell, Edelweiss, Frontenac, La Crescent, LaCrosse, Louise Swenson, Prairie Star, St. Croix, St. Pepin, Swenson Red) You are all part of a band of native and French-American crosses that could easily be called the ‘Polar Bear’ gang. You have been bred to be tough and hardy. Many of your parents(WERE? HAVE BEEN?) imprisoned in labs so long, they go by their identification number, rather than a name. You laugh at weaker grapes that can’t handle the northern Midwest winters. The latest to join your gang is a young man named Frontenac. While he shows potential as your future leader, for know he goes about his business, and his nickname is the ‘heavy producer’. Don’t worry that some of his family have been linked to the prissy vinifera grapes; your dad, who has it in its parentage, (SENSE?) goes by his prison number of Landot 4511.

Appellations producing the most Prairie Star wines:

Wisconsin (State Appellation)	Nebraska (State Appellation)
Minnesota (State Appellation)	Pennsylvania (State Appellation)

Developed by Elmer Swenson, Prairie Star is a very cold-tolerant white wine variety, to -40 F (approx. -38C). It suffers little damage in all but the harshest winters. It is also disease-resistant, except for a medium susceptibility to Black Rot and Anthracnose. Generally ripening in mid-season, the fruit develops excellent sugar and acidity for white winemaking as the grape matures. Typically, wine made from Prairie Star is quite neutral, and is probably best used in blends, adding body and finish to thinner white wines.