Clarion

[JustJoe]

I heard that the U of Minn released a new cold hardy grape named clarion. Does anyone have any info about this new grape?

 

[jhdw]

I planted a couple vines this year, from what I can tell it is the same as MN1220 - which is mentioned in a lot of academic papers. It appears to have a similar harvest time and chemistry as Itasca, but is not quite as cold hardy (hardy enough for zone 5, where I am located, but uncertain about zone 4) and is less vigorous. Also seems to have better yeast nutrients than Itasca. Obviously, I have not made any wine from it since my vines are less than a year old, but the academic info seems promising.

Other info is available at:
https://mnhardy.umn.edu/clarionhttps://journals.ashs.org/hortsci/view/journals/hortsci/58/2/article-p231.xml

 

[JustJoe]

Thanks!

 

[Greg Corey]

Awesome! I love learning about new cultivars - especially living in an area that is borderline zone 6 (I'd say we are mostly zone 5).