The white grape variety is an interspecific new variety between Elmer Swenson 114 (Minnesota 78 x Rosette) x Seyval Blanc. Synonyms are Elmer Swenson 282 and ES 282. By the way, the new variety La Crosse was created with the same parents. It contains genes from Vitis labrusca, Vitis lincecumii, Vitis riparia, Vitis rupestris and Vitis vinifera. The hybrid was crossed in 1950 by the grapevine breeder Elmer Swenson (1913-2004) on his farm near Osceola (Wisconsin). It is an all-female grape variety. Early to medium ripening and frost hardy to minus 31 °Celsius, it is very susceptible to powdery mildew and moderately susceptible to botrytis and downy mildew. It produces fruity, rather low-acid white wines with a discreet foxtone. The variety is also used as table grape. It is grown in small quantities in the US states of Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, New York, West Virginia and Wisconsin on 24 hectares, and in Canada on 13 hectares. In 2016, 37 hectares of vines were designated (Kym Anderson).
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Sigi Hiss
freier Autor und Weinberater (Fine, Vinum u.a.), Bad Krozingen