Prairie Star Grapes

Prairie Star (E.S. 2-7-13 x E.S. 2-8-1). Elmer Swenson. Released in 1999. A very hardy white wine grape. Good sugar, with 20o to 22oBrix. Medium-sized berries on long, slightly loose clusters that, on heavy soils or on grafted vines, average 177g (range 120-240g). On lighter soils, clustersize is closer to 120g. The wine is neutral, with a delicate floral nose some years and on varying sites. Very hardy, to -40°F in some locations, though damaged at that temperature on other sites. Resistant to mildew diseases, but moderately susceptible to black rot and anthracnose. Also has a tendency for shoot breakage in strong winds early in the season. Deal with this by using a low cordon or low fan training system, with catch wires to attach the shoots.