La Crescent (grape)


La Crescent is a white grape varietal developed by the University of Minnesota's cold hardy grape breeding program. Since its release to the market in 2002 La Crescent has been planted with success in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Vermont, and Wisconsin. Per the licensing application the variety is cold-hardy to and per the patent application wines produced will feature desirable aromas of citrus, apricot, pineapple, and muscat and lacks ‘foxy’ aromas associated with V. labrusca and herbaceous aromas associated with V. riparia.

History

La Crescent was invented by U of MN researchers James Luby and Peter Hemstad. The Regents of the University of Minnesota was awarded US Patent 14,617 in 2004. Those wishing to propagate La Crescent must obtain a license from the U. of MN