Edelweiss Grapes

Edelweiss (Minnesota #78 x Ontario). From the late private breeder Elmer Swenson of Osceola, Wisconsin. For those who like the Niagara type flavor, this white grape ripens at least a month earlier than Niagara and has a growth habit that is much more controllable than the wildly vigorous Niagara. Hardy to -30oF, it has excellent general disease resistance and can grow as far south as Kentucky, while being able to ripen even in cool, short summers. It is even being grown in Norway. When harvested at early maturity the flavor is mild enough that prize winning wines have been made from it. Left to hang, the flavor becomes stronger and more musky. Edelweiss likes moist, fertile soil for highest vigor and productivity, but even on average soils it will perform well. Clusters are slightly larger when the vines are trained to canes, but my vines trained to cordons and spurs are very satisfactory.