Do you own a Labradoodle, Goldendoodle or Cockapoo? Hybrid canine crosses such as these combine the desirable non-shedding characteristic of the Poodle with the friendliness and appearance of other breeds. These crosses have become popular in recent years and the pups often fetch far more than either of their parents. As a result of their extreme popularity among celebrities, they’ve earned the status of “Designer Dogs.”
Similarly, consumer interest in bio-diverse, organic, and locally grown food is fueling growing interest in varieties of grapes that will produce a new class of “eco-sensitive” wines. These grapes will resist drought and disease and withstand the changing weather of a warming world. They’ll also thrive without the use of dangerous chemicals AND taste great. Researchers from across the globe are rediscovering species of ancient, locally grown grapes that naturally have many of these characteristics. They’ve been crossing them to create the super grapes and designer wines of the future! Our own University of Minnesota is a leader in development of disease resistant, cold-hearty wines, such as Marquette, Frontenac and Itasca.
Promising species of grapes:
- VITIS VINIFERA, the so-called European or wine grape, native to the Eurasian area.
- High sugar
- Low acid
- Highly susceptible to diseases, pests, and changes in weather
- Vinifera wines include Cabernet, Merlot & Riesling
- VITIS AESTIVALIS, native to eastern North America.
- Low acid
- Disease resistant
- Difficult to propagate
- A common Aestivalis wine is Norton
- VITIS RUPESTRIS, native to the Ozarks area of North America
- Bush form, sometimes used for ornamental purposes.
- Very draught, disease and pest resistant.
- Used for breeding French hybrids and root stock
- A popular rupestris wine is Seyval
- VITIS RIPARIA the “riverbank grape.” Native from Quebec to Texas.
- High acid
- Very cold hardy and adaptable to a variety of soils
- Susceptible to fungus
- Marquette, Frontenac & Petit Pearl are examples of riparia wines
- VITIS AMURENSIS, the Asiatic grape species, native to Siberia and China.
- High sugar content
- Cold hardy to -45 and tolerates urban conditions (fumes, smoke)
- Not draught tolerant – requires 28” of rain or more per season
- Severny and Rondo are two Amurensis wines.
- VITIS ROTUNDIFOLIA, the muscadines, native to the southern half of the United States
- High sugar content – very fruity flavors
- Resistant to humidity and high heat
- Low and inconsistent yields
- Noble and Carlos are popular muscadine wines.
- VITIS LABRUSCA, native to northeastern North America
- Low sugar content
- Strong, grapey flavor
- “Slip Skin” skin is easily removed, leaving pulp intact
- Concord, Catawba and Niagara are common labrusca wines.
Just like in hybrid dogs, crossing these ancient grapes combines the best attributes from a variety of species. As a result, it produces grapes that require less spraying, survive in extreme climates, and produce the desirable chemistry and flavors at harvest that make for a great wine.
Moreover, these “designer” grapes will be especially helpful as global warming continues to challenge growing conditions in traditional wine grape growing regions. Here at Carlos Creek Winery, we sell a number of designer wines.
Designer wines at Carlos Creek Winery:
- Marquette
- Petit Pearl
- Frontenac as a varietal and blended In Hot Dish Red, Wobegon White, Minnescatos and You Betcha Blush.
- Seyval
- Crimson Pearl
- Itasca (Coming in Spring of 2022)
So, join the movement and drink locally produced, adaptable, disease resistant designer wines!
