Varietal Character

St. Croix
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 St. Croix wines:

Iowa (State Appellation)	America (Country Appellation)
Quebec (Provincial Appellation)	Wisconsin (State Appellation)
Nebraska (State Appellation)	Illinois (State Appellation)
Minnesota (State Appellation)	Southeastern New England (AVA)
Connecticut (State Appellation)	Vermont (State Appellation)

St. Croix is one of several very cold-hardy grape varieties developed by Wisconsin native Elmer Swenson. Well designed for areas with cold winters and short growing seasons, this red grape is vigorous, disease-resistant, and early ripening. Planted in Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota and in other Midwest areas, St. Croix is also gaining acceptance in New England. The grape makes a good quality red wine. It is vulnerable to Downy Mildew, but resists Powdery Mildew and Black Rot.