North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Rodney Eveland" <reveland@collinscom.net>]

I E-mailed one of the Minnesota Nurseries I thought might carry Petite Jewel and this is their reply. Other data says Louise is very hardy, to minus 40 Celsius and F.

 

We do not carry Petite Jewel.  Although the taste of the grape, I thought was very good, the vine has shown itself to be very marginally hardy in this climate (Southern Minn.) and the clusters are very thin and straggly and the berries awfully small.  We feel it is unlikely to have commercial value and even as a home table grape it seems marginal to me.   We feel that Somerset Seedless is hardier, more reliable with fuller clusters.  It also has good flavor and it is the seedless grape we have the highest hopes for at this time.  -- However, I understand why you would want to try P. Jewel.  The guy most likely to have it would be David Macgregor.  The most recent email I have for him is: fairfarm@lkdllink.net

Regarding Louise this is an extremely hardy white wine grape from the work of Elmer Swenson formerly numbered ES4-8-33.  Tom Plocher, who was instrumental in its naming and release, says it is the most reliable grape he grows.  It bears fairly well with medium size berries and clusters and I believe it ripens about mid season as well.  The acidity (in this climate) is moderate usually below 1%, I think, but the sugar rarely climbs much above 18% which causes it to produce a rather light alcohol wine.  (which actually is in line with current U.S. taste trends).  The aroma is often flowery and the taste usually suggests honey.   Tom feels that it may be the best wine variety Elmer has yet produced but the wine is normally very light and could benefit by blending with Lacrosse or Prairie Star  or some white wine with more body.

I  will attach our 2004 Nursery catalog to this message.  I am sorry to say we are out of both Louise and Somerset Seedless but have some others still in stock.  If you would like to circulate our catalog among NAFEX friends and mailing partners feel free and thanks for your note.

John Marshall

Barb and John Marshall
Great River Vineyard/Nursery
35680 Highway 61 Boulevard
Lake City, MN 55041
Toll Free: (877)345-3531
www.greatrivervineyard.com