ADALMIINA Wine Grape Vine

Adalmiina is an interspecific grapevine hybrid bred by Elmer Swenson, intended primarily for the production of white wine. It is distinguished by very good frost hardiness and high natural resistance to fungal diseases. It ripens mid-early and produces reliable yields, which should be regulated to achieve higher must quality. In wine, it gives a lighter, clean and fresh style with delicate floral–citrus aromatics, often compared to Muscadet.

Breeder: Elmer Swenson (Osceola, Wisconsin, USA); the name “Adalmiina” was given later in Finland (a Finnish female name) after its introduction into cultivation in the 1990s.
Parent varieties: E.S. 2-3-17 × E.S. 35 (breeding code E.S. 6-16-30).
Variety type: technical (wine grape), also usable as a table grape.
Species: complex interspecific hybrid with genetic contributions from V. vinifera as well as American grape species.
Distribution: mainly cooler regions of the USA and Canada (Québec), also cultivated in Europe (e.g. Poland, and in Finland also as a greenhouse grape for fresh consumption).

Growing characteristics

Ripening: in cool regions mid-early, usually at the end of September. Under Central European conditions generally from early to mid-September.
Yield: high and reliable; for improved wine quality, yield regulation (reduction of cluster number) is recommended.
Frost hardiness: very good; sources report approximately down to −34°C (−30°F), depending on location and winter protection.
Disease resistance: very high resistance to fungal diseases, making it suitable in practice for cultivation without plant protection. Depending on location, however, continuous monitoring of powdery mildew and downy mildew pressure is necessary.

Wine characteristics

Color: white wine, clear light shades.
Aromatics: light floral aromas, often with citrus notes, in a style reminiscent of French Muscadet.
Taste: fresh, delicately mineral, rather light and clean; a lower acidity is reported, without the typical undesirable flavors of Labrusca hybrids.
Wine style: most often dry white; also suitable for blends to add body, and for sparkling wines. In Québec it is used for orange wines.

Conclusion

Adalmiina from the Elmer Swenson breeding line represents an attractive combination of very good frost hardiness, high productivity and pronounced resistance to fungal diseases. In cooler wine-growing regions it can produce pleasant, delicately aromatic white wines often compared to Muscadet, and with proper yield regulation it is also suitable for higher-quality dry or sparkling wines.