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hybrid grape

Variety focus: Marquette

Marquette grape

What you need to know about Marquette

  • French-American hybrid grape first developed at University of Minnesota in 2006.
  • Cold hardy and grows well in the Midwest and the Northeast because of this.
  • Capable of producing multiple styles, though known for lighter bodied styles.
  • Low tannin, high acid.
  • Benefits from oak aging.

Tasting profile

  • Cherry, cranberry, black olive, grapefruit, chocolate, caramel, black currant, spice.

Growing Marquette

  • VSP is not recommended. It is a highly vigorous vine, which can of course be exacerbated by soil and climactic conditions.
  • Top wire cordon training system is recommended to accommodate this.

What yeast to use for Marquette

  • D254 is a common yeast used.

Fermenting and aging tips

  • As a hybrid variety, it tends to have difficulty holding onto the little tannin it has. Take this into account through employing sacrificial tannins during fermentation, and aging on oak.
  • High acidity means you may need to deacidify with potassium bicarbonate or calcium carbonate.

Variety focus: La Crescent

La Crescent grape

What you need to know about La Crescent

  • Created at the University of Minnesota in 2002.
  • Excellent cold hardiness, and usually harvested mid-season.

Tasting profile

  • Apricot, pineapple, citrus, tropical, floral

Growing La Crescent

  • Its leaves are very susceptible to downy mildew, though the fruit is quite resistant.
  • It is a very vigorous vine.

What yeast to use for La Crescent

  • Lalvin C, SVG, 71B, which can all help to lower TA, as may be needed.

Fermenting and aging tips

  • Can make a variety of wine styles easily.
  • Significant malic acid in this variety – be aware of this.