I would recommend this prize winning winery for any NE nursery stock. They have been breeding a variety of grapes for colder climates with amazing results.
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Dr. Evil,
>
>I grow chambourcin also and it should do well in your area. My low
>temp last winter was -11 and only a couple small problems out of 100
>vines.I live 50 miles north of NYC. There are many answers to your
>question but here are just some of MY thoughts and observations.
>
>1. Chambourcin is suceptible to black rot even more so I think than
>some vinifera. You'll HAVE to spray anyway so I wouldn't rule out Cab
>Franc, Cab Sauv or even Lemberger.
>
>2. Chamboucin is probably more winter hardy than the others BUT is
>suceptiple to crown gall , especially, (IMO) when temps flucuate from
>highs and lows in the winter. LAst year it was just plain cold ALL >winter.
>
>3. I've made some good wine out of Cab Sauv that was brix 19 and it
>tastes better than my 20 brix chamboucin. Chamboucin NEEDS to be ripe
>for it to taste good. There are some people who believe unripe
>vinifera make better wine than "almost ripe" hybrids and from what I
>see they have some validity in what they say.
>
>4. If you take care of your vines you CAN grow vinifera where you live
>but it will take some care . You HAVE to keep them healthy during the
>summer ( no fungus OR DEER or Jap beatles etc.)
>
>5. You could grow vinifera on it's own roots just in case you do have
>winter injury , you train suckers from the base of the trunk. Actually
>I'd recommend getting the Chamboucin on it's own roots also.
>
>
>More later.....
>
>
>Bob
>
>> Any idea on what is the best wine grape for the climate in PA? I'd
>> prefer to do a red over whites. I like fruity, moderately tannic
>> wines, with cherry aroma/flavor being particularly appealing. I'd like
>> to plant 4 vines with three of one variety and one of another (for >> blending).
>>
>> My goal is to get ~6 gallons of decent quality juice from them to end
>> up with 5 or so gallons of wine a year.
>>
>> I also need suggestions for the best book on grape cultivation.
>> (Pictures or illustrations required.)