Michigan State University Extension
MSU Extension Fruit Bulletins - 26439701
11/30/99
Wine Grape Varieties for Michigan
List of files and visuals associated with this text.
Extension Bulletin E-2643 New February 1998
G. Stanley Howell, David P. Miller and Thomas J. Zabadal
Department of Horticulture
Michigan State University Extension
Table of Contents
Introduction
Environmental Limitations
Winter cold
Spring frost
Growing season length
Heat unit accumulation
What is a Variety? A Clone?
Michigan's Climate
Variety Trials and Selection
Varieties
Labrusca varieties
Mixed-species resistant varieties
White wine varieties
Red wine varieties
Vinifera varieties
White wine varieties
Red wine varieties
Rejected Varieties
Grape Rootstock Varieties
Additional Reading
Tables
Cover photo (Vis. C): Merlot grown on a Scott Henry
training system at the Mike and Sandy Nitz farm near
Baroda, Mich.
Introduction
The past 25 years have been marked by major growth and
major changes in grape production for wine in Michigan.
There has been change in the geographic area involved in
commercial wine production and a revolution in the grape
varieties chosen for wine production. That revolution
continues. Twentyfive years ago, the most important wine
varieties grown in Michigan were Concord, Niagara and
Delaware, and the wine style was heavily weighted to
dessert types. In 1990, less than 5 percent of Michigan
wines were made from these varieties, and the predominant
wine styles were dry white and dry red table wines. This
revolution was the result of planting a range of new
varieties, and new variety evaluation and acceptance by
Michigan's wine industry will continue to be a major
factor in the industry's improvement in wine quality,
production economics, and respect in the national and
international wine community. It is crucial that both new
and traditional varieties be carefully evaluated under
Michigan conditions.
The grape varieties that perform best under Michigan
conditions must possess a range of desirable
characteristics. First and foremost, a variety must
produce quality wine. Second, it must possess the genetic
ability to adapt to the climate and soils of the state
and, while doing so, produce consistent commercial levels
of economically realistic production.
Environmental Limitations
Winter cold
Varieties vary considerably in their ability to withstand
cold winter temperatures. Hardiness is a complex genetic
characteristic of each variety that is influenced by vine
conditions during the previous growing season - crop load,
canopy management, pest control, date of harvest and leaf
loss, general vine health, etc. Vine hardiness level is
also influenced by the weather during the dormant season.
Successful viticulture requires that the variety be
adapted to the variable conditions of freeze and thaw
unique to the region (macroclimate) as well as the site
(mesoclimate).
Spring Frost
Varieties with adequate hardiness may be susceptible to
spring frost. Varieties that begin growth early in the
spring are particularly susceptible to frost and may prove
unacceptable commercially because of the high probability
of crop loss due to frost.
Growing Season Length
Some hardy, frost-tolerant or late-bursting varieties
cannot be grown in a particular area because they require
a long and/or warm growing season to achieve the desired
level of fruit quality and/or production. Therefore, some
important later ripening varieties are limited to the
warmest regions of the state. Careful matching of variety
to macroclimate and mesoclimate is crucial.
Heat unit accumulation
A useful shorthand has evolved over the decades since
Amerine and Winkler first defined California wine grape-
growing regions based on the accumulation of heat during
the growing season. Though the method has limits, as does
application of growing season length to variety choice,
both are useful indicators of varietal adaptation as
related to crop ripening and quality. just as a short
growing season can eliminate varieties from the late-
ripening group, an inadequate seasonal heat accumulation
level can eliminate a lateseason variety, even though the
length of the frost free growing season is very long. This
factor can have different effects, depending on the
variety. Two varieties may similarly accumulate sugar and
show a rise in pH and a reduction in titratable acidity,
but the resulting varietal character may be acceptable for
one variety and unacceptable for the other. Varietal
character is not directly related to the achievement of
"mature" fruit composition values. Thus, a 20 Brix, 12 g/l
acid and 3.25 pH Riesling can produce excellent varietal
wine, while the same values in Cabernet Sauvignon may
produce a wine totally lacking in varietal character.
What is a Variety? A Clone?
Several terms can be used when talking about genetically
diverse grapevines. The most common term is "variety,"
although the term "cultivar" (as a shortened expression of
"cultivated variety") is common. Another term used is
"clone". in horticultural usage, a clone is simply a
vegetatively produced plant that has the same genetic
constitution as its parent. For grapes, the usage is
altered slightly. Occasionally, a standard variety will be
selected because of some slight change in growth habit,
cluster morphology, fruit color intensity, etc., and that
change then will be retained by vegetative propagation.
Such mutants are called clones. Many important varieties
have undergone clonal selection. Pinot noir, in
particular, has many clones. The following information is
based on general varietal characteristics. When possible,
specific clonal information is provided.
Michigan's Climate
Michigan's lake-moderated vineyards are excellent
locations for producing grapes for high quality dry and
semi-dry table wines, sparkling wines and dessert wines.
Michigan is a coolclimate region with growing season heat
accumulation values in the range of 2,300 to 3, 100
growing degree-days (GDD) at base 50 degrees F. Most wine
grapes are grown within 25 miles of Lake Michigan, and the
major wine regions are Lake Michigan shore, Leelanau and
old mission Peninsula. "Cool climate" means that when the
land warms during the summer growing and autumn ripening
seasons, the resulting cool air movement off the lake and
onto the land creates an environment favoring the
retention of volatile varietal aroma compounds that remain
in the harvested fruit and meld nicely with the clean,
crisp acidity that is also a benefit of the cool growing
region. it also means that the growing season is limited,
and that is the most critical factor in achieving varietal
character. The varieties listed below are those with which
the authors have had direct experience in Michigan. Other
varieties are being currently evaluated or evaluation is
planned. Our goal here is to provide the reader with an
up-to-date statement of our current understanding and to
encourage readers to avail themselves of the most recent
data that may be found in the annual reports of the
Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council (MGWIC), the
Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center (SWMREC),
the Northwest Horticultural Research Station (NHRS) and
the Clarksville Horticultural Experiment Station (CHES).
Variety Trials and Selection
Variety evaluation plots have been maintained by the
Michigan State University Agricultural Experiment Station
over the past 28 years. The goal has been to assess
genotypic adaptation to the climate and soils,
susceptibility to pests, see Table 1(Vis. T1), vine yield,
fruit composition, ease of culture and, most importantly,
wine quality. Nearly every variety that has become
important in Michigan's wine quality improvement
revolution resulted from such a Michigan variety trial.
Another less often considered benefit of such trials is
the rejection of varieties deemed unsuitable for Michigan
as a result of maladaptation or poor wine quality. it is
easy to quantify the benefit of a newly selected variety
for the industry. one can measure increased acres,
increased gallons of wine, improved market share or
industry profitability. it is much more difficult to
quantify the value of data that say do not plant that
variety. We include a list of varieties at the end of the
bulletin that have been evaluated and should not be
planted in Michigan. We submit that such data are also
very valuable.
Varieties
The three general categories of grape varieties being
grown for wine in Michigan are: labrusca, which are
varieties with genetic and species background in Vitis
labruscana,- vinifera, which are derived from Vitis
vinifera, the native grapes of the Mideast and Europe; and
mixed-species varieties, which have genetic contributions
from V vinifera and one or more native American species (V
riparia, V rupestris, V aestivalis, V lincecumii, V
longii, etc.). (V labruscana and the strong varietal
flavors associated with that species were not used in the
production of the mixed-species varieties.) Incorporating
genes from native American species increased varietal
resistance to insect and disease attack and increased cold
hardiness (compared with the V vinifera parent). For these
reasons, European viticulturists are now more often
referring to these varieties as "resistant varieties"
rather than the former, pejorative term "hybrids" as a
result of their efforts to reduce pesticide inputs into
their wine grape culture.
Labrusca varieties
A significant reduction has occurred in the culture of V
labruscana-based varieties grown for wine in Michigan, and
only two are being used.
Niagara (Vis. 1)is a white variety that produces wines of
strong varietal aroma and flavor. it is also used in the
production of dessert wines (dry and cream sherry). It
ripens about 10 to 14 days before Concord
Strengths. It has a long history of culture in
Michigan and is adapted to the climate and soils.
Culture is nearly 100 percent mechanized, including
pruning and harvest. The quality of the cream sherry
produced is excellent.
Weaknesses. Strong flavor limits the market for white
table wine. The market for cream sherry is low
compared with that for table wines of similar quality.
These market concerns suggest caution and a careful
assessment of grape prices, production levels and
production costs before considering plantings of
Niagara for wine production.
Concord (Vis. 2)is used for the narrow market of sweet,
flavorful red wines often marketed as kosher wines. it is
late ripening, which limits production to southwest
Michigan, where growing seasons exceed 165 days and heat
units (expressed as growing degree-days (GDD) at base 50
degrees F) are 2,700 to 3,100.
Strengths. It has been cultured in Michigan for more
than 100 years and is clearly adapted to the climate
and soils. it is very cold hardy. The culture is
nearly 100 percent mechanized.
Weaknesses. Demand for Concord wine is in severe
decline. Early bud burst results in spring frost
hazard and puts the crop at risk. The variety is not
recommended for future wine grape plantings.
Other Labrusca varieties were grown for wine in Michigan's
past. only two, Delaware and Catawba, were grown to any
extent. Both are now seldom seen, and planting them for
wine is not recommended.
Mixed-species resistant varieties
This second group of Michigan wine grapes has been
variously called "French hybrids," "French-American
hybrids," "American hybrids" and, most recently,
"resistant varieties." in Michigan, we are fortunate that
genes for improved cold hardiness were also incorporated.
The history of these varieties and market response to them
has been varied. Early varieties released by French
breeders produced wines of marginal quality and did much
damage to the concept that genetic improvement could be
used as a means of solving the inadequacies of the V
vinifera parent. Continued breeding efforts employing
superior vinifera varieties backcrossed to first- and
second-generation interspecific varieties or selections
have resulted in a number of varieties capable of
producing high quality wines. in addition, the breeding
efforts of Einset and Reisch at Cornell University and
Moore at the University of Arkansas, combined with the
efforts of Alleweldt, Eibach and Becker in Germany and
Hungarian breeders, continue to breed grapevines resistant
to disease and insect attack that also possess the
capacity to produce fine wines. We have formal
relationships with Dr. Reisch at Cornell University and
Drs. Alleweldt and Eibach at Geilweilerhof in the German
Rhinepfalz that allow us to evaluate their advanced
selections and patented varieties in Michigan variety
trials.
White wine varieties
Aurore (Vis. 3) was an early selection among the
interspecific varieties for planting in Michigan.
Strengths. Aurore is early ripening and is very cold
hardy. The vine has good vigor and is productive under
Michigan conditions, producing large, slender clusters
of greenyellow berries.
Weaknesses. The berries are thinskinned and prone to
split when exposed to rainfall prior to full ripeness.
It is very susceptible to black rot. The wines have
been described as herbaceous and thin. Aurore is not
recommended for commercial planting in Michigan.
Aurore acreage is in decline.
Cayuga White, (Vis. 4)formerly GW-3, was named by Cornell
University in the early 1970s. It is similar in leaf and
growth characteristics to Vitis labruscana varieties.
Strengths. It is hardy and productive, and the wines
are pleasant and Germanic in style when the fruit is
harvested prior to full ripeness.
Weaknesses. wines from fully ripened Cayuga White
grown in Michigan have had a strong labruscana
character and lacked refinement. Great care in choice
of fruit maturity for harvest is required. There has
been only limited interest in Cayuga White because of
the early experiences with overripe fruit. it should
be reevaluated.
Chardonel, formerly NY-4501 0 and GW-9, was named in 1990
by Cornell University, in part because of its superior
performance in Michigan and Arkansas. it is the result of
a cross between Seyval, a complex, mixed-species cultivar,
and Chardonnay. Its wines reflect the qualities of the two
parents. it is a late midseason ripener in Michigan,
ripening a little later than Seyval. Chardonel has
performed well, there is winery interest, and we expect to
see more of the variety in production.
Strengths. it has a moderately sized cluster and,
unlike Seyval, requires no crop thinning to achieve
growth:yield balance. Clusters are less compact than
those of either parent, so Chardonel is less
susceptible to harvest season bunch rot complex. It is
a good producer (5 to 8 tons/acre) on standard, single-
curtain, high-cordon training, and the fruit
composition commonly has been nearly ideal (20 to 23
Brix; pH 3.25 to 3.35; TA 7.5 to 8.5g/1), even
at the higher level of cropping. Chardonel has the
potential for fine quality dry still wines produced
with barrel fermentation and/or barrel aging, and also
as a component in the cuvees for method champenoise
sparkling wines.
Weaknesses. it is less hardy than Seyval, and when
grown on soils with high water content, it has been
susceptible to crown gall. information from Virginia
suggests that the vines are very susceptible to grape
root borer.
Horizon (Vis. 5) is a white wine variety released by
Cornell University in 1982. It has not performed well in
Michigan and we cannot recommend its planting.
Strengths. The vine is productive and cold hardy. New
York data suggest that it has potential as a bulk white
wine producer because it ripens with low fruit acidity.
Weaknesses. The wine produced from Michigan-grown
grapes has been characterless except in certain years
when labrusca character could be perceived. it is also
susceptible to harvest season cluster rot complex.
Melody (Vis. 6) is also a release by Cornell University.
We have grown it in trials for seven years and the wine
has been only fair.
Strengths. it is cold hardy and disease resistant,
producing moderate yields of 4 to 7 tons/acre.
Weaknesses. It is very late ripening, and wine quality
has been only fair. In southwest Michigan, it has had a
ripening season similar to that of Cabernet Sauvignon.
We cannot recommend it.
Seyval blanc (Vis. 7) is one of the standard white wine
varieties of Michigan. it is also one of the most widely
planted varieties in the eastern United States. The vine
is of moderate to low vigor, producing large, compact
clusters. Crop control is a key for the successful culture
of Seyval. Wine quality is good, and the grape can be used
for several wine styles.
Strengths. Seyval has good hardiness when cropped
properly and is a consistent midseason producer. The
wine is clean and fresh and can be finished either
fresh and dry, barrel fermented with malolactic
fermentation and sur lie aged wine as with Chardonnay,
or as a part of a sparkling wine cuvee. It greatly
benefits from grafting to a vigor-inducing rootstock.
We anticipate that Seyval will remain an important
white wine variety for the foreseeable future.
Weaknesses. Requires crop adjustment via cluster
thinning in addition to pruning in the dormant season.
Clusters are very susceptible to harvest season cluster
rot complex. This can be reduced by cluster thinning 2
to 4 weeks after fruit set.
Traminette (Vis. 8) resulted from a cross of Joannes Seyve
23.416 and Gewurztraminer. it was released by the New York
Agricultural Experiment Station in 1996 after more than 20
years of testing in New York. It has been grown in
Michigan in trials at the SWMREC since 1988. The vines are
grafted to 3309-C rootstock, are very vigorous and require
a divided canopy (e.g., Geneva Double Curtain) trellis to
adequately distribute foliage and to expose fruit.
Traminette vines are capable of producing large crops that
ripen near the end of the season in southwestern Michigan.
Wine quality is excellent and is nearly identical to that
of Gewurztraminer. The vines arc more cold hardy than
Gewurztraminer but not as hardy as other hybrids such as
Seyval.
Strengths. Traminette is moderately cold hardy and
produces large crops of excellent quality fruit. The
wine is surprisingly similar to Gewurztraminer.
Weaknesses. it is very vigorous and requires proper
canopy management to ripen fruit adequately. Fruit
matures with Vidal blanc and Chambourcin, so it will
have potential only for southern Michigan. Reports from
New York indicate that vines suffer from winter damage
to trunks, especially on heavier soils.
Vidal blanc (Vis. 9) has been a major variety in Michigan
for 25 years. It is a vigorous variety with long, loose
clusters it is late ripening and suited only for the
regions with a long, warm season to ensure adequate fruit
maturity. The wines produced can be quite versatile,
ranging from off-dry Germanicstyle wines to dry, barrel-
fermented table wines. it has also been used to produce
fine quality ice wines.
Strengths. it is a consistent producer and is capable
of producing a commercial crop even when all buds on
canes retained at pruning have been winter killed. it
has moderate cold hardiness. The cluster is loose and
the berries are thick-skinned, so there is seldom any
harvest season cluster rot complex. Vidal blanc is late
budding, with almost never a loss due to spring frost.
It is a consistent producer, it is easy to grow, and we
believe that it will remain an important variety for
Michigan.
Weaknesses. Some cluster thinning is required as a crop
adjustment to avoid overcropping. Best flavors are
produced at something less than full maturity. Wines
that have been produced from grapes at 22+ Brix have
had off-flavors. overripe flavors lack finesse.
Vignoles, Ravat-51 (Vis. 10), has been a major wine
variety for 25 years. It is a moderately low vigor vine
with small, tight clusters. The wine styles for Vignoles
are varied, depending on the region where the grapes are
grown. In the northern region, the style is often a dry,
barrel-fermented, sur lie aged wine or a sparkling wine
cuvee. Most commonly, however, Vignoles is produced as an
offdry wine or as a dessert wine when the Botrytis
infection occurs as a so-called "noble rot" and produces a
dehydrated, sugar concentrated fruit. It is very cold
hardy, more so than either Seyval or Vidal blanc.
Strengths. Vignoles is very cold hardy and produces
high quality wines. it does not require any crop
adjustment by cluster thinning. it has broad adaptation
to all the wine-producing regions of Michigan.
Weaknesses. Small, compact clusters are very
susceptible to harvest season cluster rot complex. Vine
yield is also low to moderate because of low bud
fruitfulness.
Red wine varieties
Baco Noir (Baco No. 1) has been a part of the wine grape
scene in Michigan for at least 40 years. It is very
vigorous and produces small, tight clusters. It ripens in
midseason and produces wines that have been variously
described as "Rhone-style" or "Beaujolais-style". Wine of
Baco Noir can be very good when well ripened fruit are
vinified with good cellar technique. Similarly, it can be
harsh and very acidic when either of these qualifications
is not met. it has married well in red wine blends, and
this will likely be the variety's future usage in
Michigan.
Strengths. It is very vigorous and can be a big
producer when grown on heavier soils. it is somewhat
resistant to downy mildew, Botrytis and Phomopsis
infections, and it is moderately cold hardy.
Weaknesses. Variable wine quality has led to reduced
valuation of Baco Noir as a quality wine producer. it
is also very susceptible to black rot and crown gall.
The latter is especially a problem on heavy,
water-retaining soils. The tight cluster of the variety
also makes it susceptible to harvest season cluster rot
complex. it also is characterized by high titratable
acidity at fruit maturity. We expect the acreage of
Baco Noir to decline in favor of other varieties.
Cascade (Seibel 13053) was planted to a small extent
during the late 1960s and early 1970s in Michigan.
Strengths. Cascade is cold hardy and early ripening.
The loose cluster seldom has a problem with cluster
rots. It has performed well in blends.
Weaknesses. The variety produces wine that is very
simple and has little to commend it. The acreage of
Cascade has declined in recent years, and we expect
that decline to continue.
Chambourcin U.S. 26-205) has become an important variety
for red wine in the past 15 years. It is a lateripening
variety possessing long, cylindrical clusters of loosely
held berries. it has been used to produce award-winning
varietal wines and has found a place as a blending wine.
Although the primary style for use of Chambourcin has been
the traditional barrelfermented and aged dry red wine, we
have produced it as a nouveau and as a blush wine with
very nice results. We perceive Chambourcin to be one of
the important, consistent producing red wine varieties,
and we expect to see the acreage increase.
Strengths. As a mixed-species resistant variety,
Chambourcin possesses much more cold hardiness than any
of the vinifera varieties that can be grown for red
wine. it has been used in Michigan and other regions as
a blending wine with good results. The loose cluster
has made harvest season cluster rot a very rare
occurrence.
Weaknesses. Chambourcin produces large clusters and the
vines are easily overcropped. This has especially been
a problem on the coarse-textured, well drained soils
that are common in Michigan's wine-producing regions. A
careful program of vine nutrition and nutrition
monitoring has been suggested in other states
(Virginia). Chambourcin may benefit from grafting to a
vigor-inducing rootstock (see "Grape Rootstock
Varieties). Late ripening limits its production to
southern Michigan.
Chancellor, Seibel 7053(Vis. 11) was grown widely in
France, primarily for Bordeaux red wine. it has been grown
successfully in Michigan when disease control programs for
downy mildew have been adequate. Wine quality is good and
winery demand for Chancellor is strong, but we do not
anticipate expanded acreage of Chancellor because of this
disease susceptibility.
Strengths. Chancellor is moderately cold hardy, lends
itself to traditional training systems (bilateral
cordon at the top wire) and is a good producer. Wine
quality is very good, and it does well alone or in
blends.
Weaknesses. The greatest limitation is high
susceptibility to downy mildew. The fruit can be borne
on large, compact clusters, which contribute to
overcropping and to harvest season cluster rot complex.
Thinning is necessary to adjust crop. on heavy, high
water-content soils, crown gall may develop.
Chelois, Seibel 10878(Vis. 12) has been grown in Michigan
for more than 35 years and has gradually declined in
acreage over the past 20 years. Though wine quality is
good, especially when it's blended with Baco Noir,
Marechal Foch, Chambourcin and/or Chancellor, it has not
been reevaluated for planting in recent years. We do not
expect to see additional plantings of Chelois.
Strengths. Chelois is productive, and wine quality has
been acceptable to good, especially in blends.
Weaknesses. Chelois has moderate cold hardiness, and,
though it's productive, care in pruning/crop adustment
via thinning is crucial to avoid overcropping. Chelois
has been less cold hardy than either Chambourcin or
Chancellor, so it requires a better than average site
for long-term, consistent production.
Colobel, Seibel 8357(Vis. 13) is a strong producer, and
the fruit has heavy pigmentation. it is used primarily for
blending to add color.
Strengths. Good production and deep pigmentation.
Weaknesses. Wine quality is low and vines are only
moderately hardy. The variety is a late ripener and may
not fully ripen in some years. We do not recommend
Colobel for commercial wine production in Michigan.
DeChaunac, Seibel 9549(Vis. 14) is a cold-hardy, vigorous,
highly pigmented and very productive variety. Large, loose
clusters of thick-skinned berries seldom show harvest
season cluster rot complex.
Strengths. DeChaunac is very cold hardy and very
productive and has low susceptibility to black rot,
Botrytis, crown gall, Phomopsis and downy mildew.
Weaknesses. DeChaunac, with a few exceptions, has
produced poor quality wine in Michigan. The quality
depends on the region where the grapes are grown.
Wines from southwest Michigan plots have been heavily
pigmented and low in quality. Wines from northwest
Michigan's cooler growing region have been less pigmented
and of good quality. DeChaunac requires crop adjustment by
cluster thinning to avoid overcropping. We do not
recommend that commercial plantings of DeChaunac be made
in the southwest Michigan wine region. in the northwest
region, it should be planted only if a secure market can
be defined.
Leon Millot (Kuhlmann 194-2) is a very earlyripening
variety that can be successfully grown in all Michigan
wine regions. The vigorous vines produce small, loose
clusters of small, blue-black berries.
Strengths. This early-ripening, cold-hardy variety can
be easily grown and the crop matured in any of
Michigan's major wine regions. The cluster is loose and
seldom has a problem with harvest season rots. Early
ripening allows the grower and winery to coordinate
harvest. Wine quality is good, with fresh berry aromas,
and it blends well.
Weaknesses. Small berries and early-season ripening
make Leon Millot susceptible to damage by fruiteating
birds.
Marechal Foch, Kuhlmann 188-2(Vis. 15) is a sister
seedling of Leon Millot and possesses many similar
characteristics. it has small, tight clusters of small
berries that ripen a few days after Leon Millet, but it is
still classed as an early-season variety.
Strengths. The fruit is early ripening and the vines
are very cold hardy. Wines can be made in traditional
varietal style, but the variety has been evaluated as
thin unless blended with some other grape or wine
possessing tannin. Marechal Foch also has excellent
potential for the production of nouveau wines via
carbonic maceration. Wines of this style have been well
received, and its early ripening makes it convenient to
arrive on the November market date. Wines of a blush
style have also been produced from grapes pressed at
time of crush. These have been pleasant and
characteristic of the blush style.
Weaknesses. The vines arc weak to moderate in their
vigor, and best results will come only when Marechal
Foch is grafted to a resistant, vigor-inducing
rootstock (see "Grape Rootstock Varieties"). As with
Leon Millot, there is a bird problem at harvest.
Occasional problems with harvest season cluster rot
complex occur in the small, tight clusters.
Vinifera varieties
The varieties of V vinifera are the most widely grown in
the world. They are recognized for their fine wine quality
and have been cultivated in Europe for nearly 2,000 years.
They are the predominant varieties for U.S. wine
production. Commercial production of these varieties in
Michigan is a relatively recent phenomenon. Vinifera
varieties can be successfully grown in Michigan only under
the best conditions of close proximity to Lake Michigan
(macroclimate; warm winter minimum temperatures), choice
of a superior site (mesoclimate) with excellent air and
soil drainage, and superior viticultural management.
There are two key limitations to the successful culture of
these varieties: susceptibility to winter cold
temperatures and subsequent crown gall infection, and
susceptibility to insects and diseases. V vinifera
varieties are generally less cold hardy and less insect
and disease resistant than either the V labruscana or the
interspecific resistant varieties. They are also
susceptible to grape Phylloxera (grape root louse).
The susceptibility to Phylloxera requires that all
vinifera varieties be grafted to a resistant rootstock
(see "Grape Rootstock Varieties"). The susceptibility to
diseases requires a carefully managed program of disease
control.
Vinifera also are less adapted to soils with a low pH than
V labruscana or interspecific resistant varieties. The low
pH and the well drained soils typical of good Michigan
vinifera sites can produce boron and zinc deficiencies
unless soil pH is raised to 6.5.
The planting of grafted grapevines requires that the graft
union be covered and uncovered each year. The covering in
the fall is necessary to protect the union and some buds
above the union in the event that severe cold damage kills
the vine to the snowline. Uncovered unions will result in
scion death and require replanting. Graft unions must be
uncovered each spring to prevent scion rooting, which will
lose the Phylloxera-resistant rootstock, leaving the vine
susceptible to Phylloxera destruction.
White wine varieties
Chardonnay (Vis. 16) is the most widely grown white wine
grape in the world. Chardonnay has become nearly
synonymous with dry table wine in the way that chablis was
two or three decades ago, Chardonnay is the most widely
planted vinifera variety in Michigan and one of the most
cold hardy of the vinifera. it is used for dry table wine
and for sparkling wine, either as a blend or alone.
Evaluation of Chardonnay clones is just beginning. Limited
data suggest that clones differ in cultural adaptation,
wine character and response to cellar treatment.
Strengths. Chardonnay is in demand. Its wines are
gaining recognition for both their quality and their
value. Use of the fruit for either still or sparkling
wine and the fine qualities of both when produced from
Michigan-grown grapes suggest that demand should
increase.
Weaknesses. Vines are slightly hardy. Chardonnay
requires a well planned and executed program of fungus
disease control. it is very susceptible to downy and
powdery mildews, black rot and Botrytis. Cluster rot
complex seriously threatens Chardonnay during rainy
harvest seasons.
Gewurztraminer (Vis. 17) has been a part of the commercial
wine grape scene in Michigan for nearly 20 years. The
pink-gray fruit produces white wines with a characteristic
spicy aroma and flavor. it is commonly produced in a
Germanic style with a small amount of residual sugar,
although the dry Alsatian style can also be produced.
Strengths. Wine quality is excellent when fruit is
produced by vines planted on the best sites and given
the necessary canopy management. There is a good market
in Michigan for well made wines from this grape.
Weaknesses. Gewurztraminer is among the least cold
hardy of the vinifera varieties. it can be excessively
vigorous, producing large, shady canopies that are
conducive to delayed fruit ripening and harvest season
cluster rot complex.
Muller-Thurgau is a variety of German origin, the result
of a cross between Riesling and Sylvaner. it is an early-
ripening, largecropping variety that is the basis for many
of the less expensive German white wines.
Strengths. It produces large crops of large, loose
clusters, so harvest season cluster rot complex is
seldom a concern. It ripens in midseason, and the wines
are pleasant and early maturing.
Weaknesses. The variety has been used as a bulk
producer in many areas with a perception of average
wine quality. This may limit the marketing of the
wines.
Muscat Ottonel is a fragrant, spicy white wine cultivar
that has been under trial in Michigan for eight years. it
is moderately productive and has produced very pleasant
wines in the light muscat style. it is the best of the
muscat varieties now available for quality wine production
in Michigan.
Strengths. it produces good wines with acceptable
levels of production. it is moderately resistant to
harvest season cluster rot complex, ripens in early
midseason and produces excellent quality wines every
year in which there is a crop.
Weaknesses. it has low vine hardiness. Vine vigor has
been low, and poor wood maturity has resulted on less
than optimal sites.
Ortega (Vis. 18) is a relatively new German variety from
the breeding program at Geilweilerhoff in the Rhinepfalz.
Its flavor and aroma are consistent with the volatile
terpenes of Riesling, Sylvaner and Muller-Thurgau. it is
grown in the cooler German regions, where it ripens about
two weeks before Riesling and is often used as a blending
wine. We expect to see more Ortega planted, especially in
the shorter, cooler season regions of Michigan.
Strengths. It is one of the most cold hardy of the
white vinifera. Wine is pleasant and similar to
Riesling. it is a good, consistent producer, and the
wine quality has been ranked as consistently high.
Weaknesses. The major complaint has been that it
possesses thick tendrils that are difficult to remove
during dormant pruning. it lacks Riesling's name
recognition.
Pinot blanc and Pinot gris (Vis. 19). Pinot blanc is the
white variant of the Pinot family. Color in the Pinot
family is held only in the skin and is subject to
considerable mutation. Pinot gris is a pinkgray variant
between Pinot noir and Pinot blanc. Limited planting and
trial in Michigan provide insufficient basis to offer an
opinion on the potential of Pinot blanc. There is,
however, much interest because of the excellent
performance of Pinot gris. Pinot gris has been grown in
Michigan with both viticultural and enological success.
Strengths. Pinot gris has moderate vigor and crop. The
subsequent wines were very good. Pinot gris has
considerable market appeal at this time. Planting of
Pinot gris and, to a lesser degree, Pinot blanc is
likely to increase.
Weaknesses. The two Pinots are less hardy than
Chardonnay, Ortega or Riesling. Some trunk renewal will
be required in nearly every season. Clusters are
compact and harvest season cluster rot complex will
require costly leaf removal in the fruiting zone.
White Riesling (Vis. 20) is a high-quality German variety
that has performed well in Michigan for more than 30
years. Michigan Riesling possesses the rich, spicy
character th t typifies the variety. It is a late-season
variety, and care must be taken to avoid overcropping,
which will reduce vine vigor and cold hardiness. Clones of
Riesling tested include cl.239, cl.90 and cl. 198. All are
acceptable, and additional clonal testing will be
initiated in the near future.
Strengths. it is a consistent producer, possessing the
greatest cold hardiness of the vinifera tested. The
vines consistently achieve levels of ripeness capable
of producing world-class wines.
Weaknesses. It is late ripening, and care must be taken
to avoid overcropping because there is seldom a
postharvest period with foliage for vine recovery. It
is also susceptible to harvest season Botrytis
infection. Under good conditions, this can lead to the
production of very special dessert wines. When
accompanied by rainfall, the infection can produce
harvest season cluster rot complex.
Sauvignon blanc has not been given a careful evaluation
under Michigan conditions. Limited data and experiences of
others in the Great Lakes region suggest caution. The
variety is very vigorous and among the most cold tender of
the vinifera.
Strengths. It has good name recognition and a growing
market for the wines, even the more herbaceous types
grown in cool regions where the "bell pepper" aroma and
flavor are intensified.
Weaknesses. The vines are excessively vigorous, and the
clusters are very susceptible to harvest season cluster
rot complex. It ripens late, so the chance of getting
consistently ripe fruit is limited. Any plantings of
Sauvignon blanc should be considered experimental.
Scheurebe (Vis. 21) is a spicy variety from a private
breeder in Germany's Rhinepfalz region. The variety has
been under test and in commercial production for more than
20 years. The vines are as hardy as those of Riesling, and
the wines are pleasant and spicy. it ripens in the late
season and produces moderate-sized, loose clusters.
Strengths. It is as hardy as Riesling and is a
consistent producer.
Weaknesses. it has minimal name recognition. When the
fruit is less than fully ripe, an undesirable aroma
described as "cat urine" can be discerned.
Red wine varieties
Cabernet franc (Vis. 22) is one of several varieties
important for the production of the fine red wines of the
Bordeaux area of France. Limited experience in Michigan
has been favorable. Wines alone and as blends with other
Bordeaux varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot) have
been of very high quality.
Strengths. it is one of the most cold hardy of the
vinifera varieties we have had in trial. it ranks in
hardiness with Riesling and Chardonnay. It is emerging
as one of the interesting "new" wines in the western
United States, and the market looks strong. it has a
good future as a blending wine. The acreage of Cabernet
franc will likely increase significantly in Michigan.
Weaknesses. It has a large cluster and can be easily
overcropped. When overcropped, the fruit has green,
unripe flavors that result in wine of very low quality.
Care in culture will be required to avoid this. The
flavors of Cabernet franc are fully realized in a warm
growing environment. Care should be taken to evaluate
the suitability of the variety in Michigan's cooler
growing regions.
Cabernet Sauvignon (Vis. 23) is another of the important
varieties from Bordeaux. it is one of the most widely
grown wine grapes in the world and, because of the
marketing efforts of the California wine industry, it is
also one of the most recognized names in wine. The variety
and a number of its clones have been under trial for some
time. It is a strong grower.
Strengths. It has a strong market. It is nearly as cold
hardy as Cabernet franc. When fully ripened, Michigan
Cabernet Sauvignon is characteristic of the finest
wines of the style.
Weaknesses. The major concern is very late ripening.
The key is to understand what is meant by "ripeness."
It is not difficult to get Cabernet Sauvignon to sugar
or acidity levels that normally imply ripeness for most
of our varieties. The concern is the development of
those compounds in the fruit that give the grapes and
the subsequent wines the characteristic varietal
character. This has been difficult to achieve
consistently. Care and thought should be given to
choice of site, method of training and cropping level
before plantings are made.
Limberger (Vis. 24) has been given limited testing in
Michigan, but results are promising. It possesses good
cold hardiness and wine quality has been very good.
Strengths. Limberger adds to our list of red vinifera
that possess cold hardiness on a par with that of
Chardonnay. Wine quality is very good. it is widely
grown in Washington state.
Weaknesses. insufficient experience in Michigan.
Plantings should be considered experimental.
Merlot (Vis. 25) is another of the important vinifera red
wine varieties of Bordeaux. Excellent quality wines have
been produced from this largeclustered variety produced in
Michigan vineyards. it has been most commonly used in
blends with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet franc, but
recently it has found a niche as a softer style, less
tannic red wine. This style, first marketed in California,
has been quickly adopted in other wine-producing nations,
and Merlot varietal wines now have ready market
recognition.
Strengths. Wine quality is excellent, either alone or
as part of a blend.
Weaknesses. It is very susceptible to winter freeze
damage and subsequent crown gall infections. The large
clusters are susceptible to harvest cluster rot complex
and also make crop control more difficult. Winter
damage limits the planting of Merlot to superior sites.
Though it's earlier than Cabernet franc and Cabernet
Sauvignon, it is a late-season grape. Careful
assessment of growing season length, heat unit
accumulation and data on varietal character development
in the local region should be made before planting.
Nebbiolo (Vis. 26) is the classic vinifera red wine
variety of the Barolo district of northern Italy. Eight
years of vine trials in Michigan indicate that it is not
adapted to Michigan's climate. The fruit ripening season
is later than that of Cabernet Sauvignon, and vines are
very cold tender, so we do not recommend planting Nebbiolo
in Michigan.
Pinot Meunier is a member of the blue-blackskinned Pinot
family that is used primarily for production of sparkling
wine. When blended with Pinot noir and Chardonnay for
blanc de noir, it has produced very high quality method
champenoise sparkling wine from Michigan-grown fruit.
Strengths. it is the most cold hardy of the Pinot
family, producing good sparkling wine blends. Early
harvest reduces occurrence of harvest season cluster
rot complex.
Weaknesses. Although it can produce a good red wine in
some years, the primary use of Pinot Meunier is narrow
sparkling wine only.
Pinot noir (Vis. 27) is the classic red wine variety of
Burgundy. In our experience, it is difficult to grow and
vinify to achieve this high quality red wine. As mentioned
earlier in reference to Pinot blanc and Pinot gris, color
is borne only in the skins of the Pinot family. Management
that carefully controls crop level and effectively
controls harvest season cluster rot is a critical
necessity or low quality wine will result. Pinot noir is
also a component of wines used to produce the wines of
Champagne and other fine sparkling wines. These are
harvested at 18.0 to 19.0 Brix rather than the 20.0 to
23.0 Brix necessary to achieve the varietal character and
color characteristic of fine Pinot noir red wines. We have
been working with a range of clones (13) for five years,
and their growth habit, cluster compactness (and thus
their susceptibility to harvest season cluster rot),
productivity and cold hardiness vary considerably. This
makes a simple classification of Pinot noir impossible.
For example, two clones are as hardy as Cabernet franc,
while the remainder range in a continuum to as tender as
Merlot or Gewurztraminer. Cluster compactness varies from
loose to very compact, and there appear not only to be
differences in the amount of color among clones, but also
differences in specific pigments among the clones. Flavor
compounds also appear to vary. We suggest reading the
annual reports from the research stations and the Michigan
Grape and Wine Industry Council for specific information
on clone performance. in closing, we believe this comment
on the French attitude on Pinot noir clones may be
instructive. P. Drouhin of J. Drouhin, Beaune, Burgundy,
France, replied to the question, "Which clone would you
plant if required to replant one of the family's Grand Cru
vineyards?" Smiling indulgently, he replied, "Preferably
five clones and not less than three." We believe that this
is good advice for top quality wine for Michigan as well.
Strengths. Pinot noir can be grown for either red or
sparkling wine. Fine red Pinot noir wine has very high
value and name recognition. There is also good demand
for the sparkling wine. Early ripening means it can be
grown in favorable sites near Lake Michigan in both the
southwest and northwest wine regions.
Weaknesses. Top quality red wine can be achieved only
when vines are carefully crop controlled. Larger crops
can be produced when sparkling wine is the goal.
Therefore, a decision to make red or sparkling wine
must be made early in the season and the crop thinned
accordingly. If, at the start of harvest, fruit
maturity is lagging on vines thinned for red wine, the
grower should reconsider using the crop for sparkling
wine instead. Because of the considerable range in the
cluster morphology, color, aroma and flavor components
of the various clones, successful culture for red wine
will be strongly dependent on clone(s) choice.
Rejected Varieties
Some of the following varieties have been discussed in the
material presented above and their specific inadequacies
explained. The listing of the additional varieties is
based on almost 30 years of effort in Michigan, and their
rejection is due to our assessment that they produce poor
quality wines. Some of these are close calls-the senior
author admits to a fondness for well made Baco Noir that
is not broadly shared-and others represent progress as a
new variety supplants a lesser quality or less well
adapted variety. This latter is based as much on the
realities of industrywide perspectives as on our critical
view. Some of these wines possess qualities that would fit
well in locations with less amenable climate and would
also do well in home winemakers' vineyards because of
their superior cold hardiness. We designate such varieties
with (HW).
Rejected varieties
All Vitis labruscana varieties
Aurore (HW)
Cascade (HW)
Chelois (HW)
Colobel
Dechaunac (HW)
Horizon (HW)
Melody
Joffre (HW)
Neron
Pinard
Landal
Landot noir (HW)
Villiard blanc
Villiard noir
Ravat blanc
Florental
Veeport
Ventura
Verdelet
Rayon d'Or (S. 4986)(HW)
Grape Rootstock Varieties
A 11 grape varieties of V vinifera require grafting
because of their susceptibility to the grape root aphid,
Phylloxera. Phylloxera is native to North America, and
grapevine species from our continent have evolved
mechanisms of resistance to this pest over the millennia
that the vine and the insect have coexisted. Readers
interested in more information and detail on Phylloxera
and the historical development of grape rootstocks and
their usage are encouraged to peruse the references listed
below.
Early rootstock usage employed selections from certain
species; the rootstocks Riparia Gloire (V riparia) and
Rupestris St. George (V rupestris) are examples. Because
many important European vineyards were grown on high-pH
soils and both of the above stocks are intolerant of high
lime, interspecific hybridization was used, first with V
riparia and V rupestris with the high-pH-tolerant V
vinifera, and later with the very lime-tolerant V
berlandieri. Table 2 (Vis. T2) is a breakdown of important
rootstocks and information on their species background and
special resistance and vine growth characteristics.
Michigan experience with the broad array of rootstocks is
lacking. To date, we have had the following rootstocks
under evaluation for 10 years or more: Riparia Gloire,
Rupestris St. George, 5-BB, SO-4, 3309C, 1613C, 1202C and
Harmony. Additional experience has been gained by
comparing 3309C and 10 1 -14 Mgt in Swiss viticulture. in
the course of our efforts, we have found no rootstock
superior to 3309C in its performance. Having said that, we
strongly encourage Michigan vineyardists to avoid planting
extensive monocultures of single rootstocks. Recent
history and a simple understanding of selection pressure
in a population of organisms both suggest the wisdom of
using several rootstocks in our plantings.
The choices we have found acceptable vary with soils and
conditions of culture. The choices for low vigorinducing
sandy soils would include 5-BB, 3309C, SO4, 101-14 Mgt,
1616C and Riparia Gloire. Clearly, this is not an
exclusive list. We have either minimal or no Michigan
experience with the Paulsen, Ruggeri, Richter and
Millardet rootstocks. These data will come as our time and
experience allow.
Additional Reading
1. Galet, P. 1979. A Practical Ampelography. Trans. by
L.T. Morton. Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell Univ. Press.
2. Howell, G.S. 1987. Vitis rootstocks, pp. 451-472 in:
R.C. Rom and R.F. Carlson (eds.), Rootstocks for Fruit
Crops. New York: John Wiley and Sons.
3. Kasamatis, AX, and L. Lider. 1980. Grape Rootstock
Varieties. Univ. of California Ext. leaflet 2780.
4. Munson, R.V. 1909. Foundations of American Grape
Culture. Denison, Texas: T.V. Munson and Son.
5. Perold, A.I. 1927. A Treatise on Viticulture. London:
Macmillan.
6. Pongracz, D.P. 1983. Rootstocks for Grapevines. Cape
Town, South Africa: D. Phillip.
Other Extension A Bulletins in this series:
E-2642, Table Grape Varieties for Michigan
http://www.msue.msu.edu/msue/imp/modfr/26429701.html
E-2644, Vineyard Establishment 1: Preplant Decisions
http://www.msue.msu.edu/msue/imp/modfr/26449701.html
E-2645, Vineyard Establishment 11: Planting and Early Care
http://www.msue.msu.edu/msue/imp/modfr/26459701.html
For copies of these titles or a catalog of available
publications, contact your county Extension office
(listed under GOVERNMENT in the white pages of your phone
book) or the MSU Bulletin Office, 10-B Agriculture Hall,
Michigan State University East Lansing, MI 48824-1039
(fax: 517-353-7168).
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Agriculture. Arlen Leholm, Director, Michigan State
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