Frontenac Grape
Michigan U-Pick Grapes
A Blue-Black Wine Grape
Similar Varieties: Dechaunac, Foch, Baco Noir
Ripens mid September -- A new hardy red wine variety from Minnessota- very popular with winemakers, has a slight "cherry" overtone.
Usage Notes -- Frontenac makes a big, red wine whose aroma and flavor are dominated by cheery notes, with lesser hints of blackcurrant and general red fruit.Other flavors noticed are notes of grass, green bean, evergreen, tar, and even chocolate.
The main consideration in making Frontenac wine is the hig initial acidity, which should be lowered in making most wine styles. This is usually done by: adding water to dilute, malolactic fermentation, adding potassium bicarbonate, and chill proofing to remove excess tartaric acid. All 4 practices may sometimes be needed. (some text is from Mitchell Vineyard)
"The Straight Talk On Acid Testing Wine" from E. C. Kraus...
Some very good Frontenac winemaking recipes are on the Mitchell Vineyard website....
Click here for Frontenac winemaking info .....
Harvest Notes:
Click here for a ripening summary and grape prices for the whole vineyard .....
Variety Info -- More vines of Frontenac are growing in MN than of any other variety, due to overall viticultural performance and excellent wine quality.
Frontenac is a very cold-hardy vine and has borne a full crop after temperatures as low as -30° F. The small black berries are produced on medium to large clusters that are usually slightly loose. As a result, berry splitting and bunch rot have been rare, even in wet years. Frontenac has been a consistently heavy producer and sometimes requires cluster thinning. Frontenac is vigorous and usually becomes established quickly.
Frontenac ripens in late midseason, and it is important to let the fruit hang long enough to fully mature, to reduce the acidity to workable levels. This is less of a problem when Frontenac is grown further south, under warmer conditions.
Fortunately, the pH does not often rise to dangerous levels. Frontenac is a good sugar producer with 24-25 Brix not uncommon.
Frontenac wine typically has a pleasant cherry aroma with berry and plum evident in many cases. The herbaceousness of its wild riparia background is almost entirely absent.
The color is usually a garnet red, but can become excessively dark with long periods of skin time. Malolactic fermentation is essential to reduce the wine’s high acidity. Tannin levels are usually relatively low.
Frontenac is very disease-resistant, with good resistance to powdery mildew and near-immunity to downy.
Where are the Frontenac vines located in the vineyard?
Rows 73 to 77
Each row has about 50 vines.
Frontenac in one of the more recent plantings in our vineyard and it is becoming established quite well.
Rows 73 to 75 were planted in 2004 and rows 76 & 77 were planted in 2007.
The Frontenac rows are trained to a "Geneva Double Curtain" trellis, which means there are 2 top wires 4 feet apart (like utility poles) This gives the vines more room to grow.
Click here for larger image...
Where can I Purchase Frontenac Wine?
Frontenac is often used in commercial red blends.
"Simply Red" from St. Julien Winery in Michigan is a typical red blend of this style.
Red blends can be usually purchased in Michigan from local wine shops and grocery stores.
Please visit our Winery Locator Page to find wineries which make this kind of wine....
