The red grape variety (also Elmer Swenson 517) is a very complex interspecific new breeding between Elmer Swenson 80 (Minnesota 78 x Kendaia) x Villard Blanc. It contains genes from Vitis berlandieri, Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rupestris and Vitis vinifera. The hybrid was crossed by the US breeder Elmer Swenson (1913-2004) near Osceola (Wisconsin). The variety is cultivated on eight hectares in Canada (Quebec). Small populations are also said to exist in the US Midwest. However, in 2016, only the stand in Canada was reported (Kym Anderson).
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Dr. Christa Hanten
Fachjournalistin, Lektorin und Verkosterin, Wien