St. Croix is a red grape variety that was developed by Elmer Swenson, a pioneering grape breeder. This grape is largely grown in the Midwestern United States, especially in areas like Minnesota and Wisconsin.
The St. Croix varietal is cold-hardy, meaning it can survive in colder climates where other grape varieties may struggle. This makes it great for winemaking in regions with harsh winters. It is also disease-resistant, further adding to its hardy nature.
The grapes produce medium to full-bodied red wines with a flavorful profile. These wines typically exhibit notes of black cherry, blackberry, spices, and sometimes a hint of black pepper. They can be made into both dry and semi-sweet styles of red wine. They also have moderate tannins and good acidic structure.
In some cases, St. Croix grapes are also used to make rosé wines.
The St. Croix grape is blend-friendly, meaning that it is often blended with other grape varieties to produce more complex and interesting wines. It is commonly blended with other cold-hardy grape varietals, such as Frontenac and Marquette.
