The Prairie Star varietal is a type of white wine grape that was developed at the University of Minnesota's Horticulture Research Center. It was released in 1996 and is known for its fine wine potential. The varietal has good winter hardiness, allowing it to survive in regions with harsh winter climates.
The Prairie Star grape is often described as having a neutral profile, meaning it does not have a strong, distinctive flavor of its own. This allows winemakers to blend it with other grapes to enhance their flavors. It is often used to make dry, semi-sweet, or sweet white wines. The wine produced from this grape is typically light straw to golden in color and maintains a good balance of sugar and acid.
The Praire Star grape is also disease resistant, especially to downy and powdery mildew, making it a reliable choice for growers in areas where these diseases are prevalent. This varietal is typically harvested in mid to late season, and produces a medium-sized, well-filled cluster with a pretty golden color when ripe.
