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                                                    Prairie Star  ( ES 3-24-7 )

 Developed by Elmer Swenson in 1980 and released around 1994. This variety is quite disease resistant, though moderate susceptibility to

Black Rot and Anthracnose. Usually ripens mid-season, hardy down to – 40 F or –38 C. Northern Illinois: relatively early maturity.

The matured grapes got excellent sugar and acidity for white winemaking, with 23-24 brix and acid from 9-13 g/l.  Northern Illinois: relatively

early maturity.

 Prairie Star makes a neutral varietal wine with strong floral nose in some years, absolutely not foxy, adds body and finish to other white wines.

Fullness in the mouth and finish that is uncommon among hybrid grape varieties.  In some years, it develops a delicate floral nose that allows it to

stand as a single variety wine. Just a another comment on the wine quality: It was the best white wine I've ever tasted, from a hybrid variety...the

wine was very luscious, unusually full bodied, much like a good California Chardonnay.

 Prairie Star easily got a fruit set disorder with a large number of shot berries, in the cluster. See Picture. The problem could be nutritional but it

is primarily a cosmetic problem.  The vine is easily trained to the VSP system (vertical shoot positioning).

Photo Mark Hart

                                                Prairie Star perfect cluster                               Prairie Star normal cluster

Editor Soeren Larsen