It’s here! Part 2 of our Wine Grapes series! In this episode, we’re going beyond European Vitis Vinifera grapes to explore hybrid varieties you may never have tried!  Do you know Vidal Blanc (aptly named after it’s founder, Jean Louis Vidal) is a widely planted hybrid grape in New York state? Or that Marechal Foch is a popular grape grown in Minnesota? Don’t worry, we’ve got it covered!  

Hybrid grape varieties are created to solve problems. For example in North America, they’re solving problems from cold climate hardiness in frost-prone zones, to pest resistance.  However, these amazing hybrid grapes aren’t always associated with wine quality. They’ve suffered for years. Winemakers of the past tried to take traditional wine production methods and transpose them to hybrids. The result was less than positive.

Just how are hybrid wine grapes made?

Hybrids aren’t made from grafted vines or rootstock. These are new plants born from parents of different grape species.  Vitus Vinifera varieties such as Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon cross-pollinate with grapes from American species. This leads to the birth new grape varieties such as Seyval Blanc, Baco Noir, or the red wine grape, Chambourcin. 

Wines from red hybrid grapes are sometimes called foxy or funky. And they have languished on wine shop shelves and fewer wine lists. But these grapevines are having their moment. Winemakers such as Jerry Mueller of Röbbler Vineyards in Missouri and Martin Polognioli, St. Croix Vineyards in Minnesota, are taking a different view and letting these unique grapes tell their own stories.

Listen in as we talk red hybrids, hybrid wine and all things hybrid! You’ll want to pop a cork and compare these new varieties to some of your favorites. 

If you missed Part 1: Lost Grapes, you’re in luck, just click here!!!

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Cheers!

Charisse & Kristi