Marquette grapes, a cold-hardy hybrid developed by the University of Minnesota, require specific techniques to achieve a smooth, full-bodied wine. Below are key considerations for Sunset Vista Vineyards in Vermont, integrating viticultural and enological practices:
Primary Considerations
Harvest Timing
- Late September to early October: Target 22–26°Brix sugar, pH 2.9–3.3, and titratable acidity (TA) of 11–12 g/L for optimal ripeness12.
- Monitor berry dimpling: Late-harvested fruit may lose water weight but can enhance wine complexity2.
Yeast Selection
- VRB (Lalvin): Neutral yeast with subtle fruit expression, ideal for preserving Marquette’s cherry and berry notes3.
- 71B-1122 (Lalvin): Metabolizes 20–40% of malic acid during fermentation, softening acidity and producing aromatic wines4.
- Avoid D254 (Lalvin): While it highlights black pepper notes, it risks sulfur off-odors without precise nutrient management3.
Malolactic Fermentation (MLF)
- Mandatory for mouthfeel: Conduct MLF using Oenococcus oeni to convert tart malic acid to softer lactic acid, reducing TA by 1–3 g/L and raising pH by ~0.3 units56.
- Diacetyl management: To avoid excessive buttery flavors, inoculate early and limit MLF temperature to 18–25°C (64–77°F)5.
Oak Integration
- Chips over barrels: Add 3 oz medium-toast American/French oak chips per 6 gallons during fermentation for structured tannins without overpowering oak78.
- Sanitize chips: Soak in metabisulfite solution (2 oz/gal) for 20 minutes before use8.
SO₂ Management
Additional Considerations
By prioritizing these techniques, Sunset Vista can craft a Marquette wine with layered fruit, balanced acidity, and a velvety texture.
- Extended maceration: 7–10 days of skin contact enhances tannin extraction and body7.
- Canopy management: Shoot thin to 2 shoots/spur and remove fruit-zone leaves for balanced ripening1.
- Nutrient supplementation: Add yeast assimilable nitrogen (YAN) if using high-demand strains like D2543.
- pH adjustments: Post-MLF, consider tartaric acid additions if pH exceeds 3.5 to stabilize and preserve freshness5.
Citations:
- https://mnhardy.umn.edu/marquette
- http://northerngrapesproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Marquette-and-Frontenac-Viticulture-fruit-ripening-enology-and-tasting.pdf
- https://midwestwinepress.com/2012/07/18/nick-smith-yeast-selection-wine/
- https://northeastwinemaking.com/pages/winemaking-yeast-guide
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malolactic_fermentation
- https://winemakermag.com/article/malolactic-fermentation-beginners
- https://www.winemakingtalk.com/threads/evolving-styles-for-marquette-wines.57676/
- https://www.midwestsupplies.com/blogs/bottled-knowledge/how-do-i-use-oak-chips
- http://blog.juicegrape.com/index.php/2023/06/understanding-marquette-grape/
- https://www.bio-conferences.org/articles/bioconf/full_html/2023/01/bioconf_oiv2022_02016/bioconf_oiv2022_02016.html
- https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/fs/fs-52-w.pdf
- https://winebusinessanalytics.com/features/article/152160/Cultivating-Marquette-Like-Vinifera
- https://www.jjbuckley.com/wine-knowledge/blog/the-4-factors-and-4-indicators-of-wine-quality/1009
- https://www.extension.iastate.edu/wine/lets-focus-dr-watrelot/
- https://www.uvm.edu/~orchard/fruit/grapes/gr_horticulture/GrowingGrapesinVermont.pdf
- https://www.iapetuswine.com/subduction
- http://northerngrapesproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Katie-Cook-Yeast-Presentation.pdf
- https://enology.umn.edu/wine-winemaking/balancing-acidity-minnesota-wines-techniques-and-strategies-winemakers
- https://www.internationalwinechallenge.com/Canopy-Articles/marquette-watch-the-promising-red-hybrid-for-cool-climates.html
- https://www.mytiwine.com/product/marquette-bourbon-barrel-aged/1569?cs=true&cst=custom
- https://winemakermag.com/wine-wizard/reducing-oak-flavor-in-wine
- https://www.reddit.com/r/winemaking/comments/1g3j2rg/conflicting_info_on_when_and_how_to_add_toasted/
- https://midwestwinepress.com/2013/03/18/piero-march-installment/
- https://www.instagram.com/makingwinekillingtime/p/CcoR1VjPWw-/
- https://morewinemaking.com/articles/SO2_management
- https://www.mitchell-vineyard.com/app/download/7249166455/MarquetteWineRecipe.pdf
- https://www.pubhort.org/members/showdocument?tarball=1&series=aps&vid=66&iid=1&article=6&layout=pubhort&action=showdocument&lidvan=aps
- https://snowfarm.com/blog/fall-in-vermont/
- https://agresearch.montana.edu/warc/guides/grapes/managing-vineyard/harvesting-quality-grapes.html
- https://gervasivineyard.com/fall-is-harvest-time-at-gv/
- https://enology.umn.edu/sites/enology.umn.edu/files/2021-10/409_marquettefactsheet_fin.pdf
- https://winemakermag.com/article/marquette-a-hardy-cold-climate-hybrid
- https://fruit.webhosting.cals.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/36/2016/03/Haggerty-Ripening-Chemistry-article.pdf
- https://twobrancheshomestead.com/2018/02/09/making-homemade-wine-growing-grapes-homestead-happiness/
- http://northerngrapesproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Biological-deacidification.pdf
- http://techniquesinhomewinemaking.com/blog/comment-page-6/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/winemaking/comments/xctz6g/malolactic_fermentation/
- https://winefolly.com/deep-dive/what-is-malolactic-fermentation-the-buttery-taste-in-wine/
- https://daily.sevenfifty.com/so-you-think-you-know-malo/
- http://northerngrapesproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Sensory-Characterization-of-Frontenac-and-Marquette-Berries-and-Wines-by-Descriptive-Analysis.pdf
- https://blog.homebrewing.org/oaking-wine-with-oak-chips/
- https://www.vinerra.com/education/grapes/exploring-the-marquette-grape-varietal-everything-you-need-to-know
- https://www.homebrewtalk.com/threads/toasting-oak-chips.292036/
- https://innerstave.com/the-benefits-of-oak-chips-in-fermentation/
- http://northerngrapesproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Tannins.pdf
- https://ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/sulphur-dioxide-in-winemaking/
- https://www.extension.iastate.edu/wine/research-winemaking-focus-2/
- https://grape-to-glass.com/index.php/sulphur-levels-wine/
- https://www.awri.com.au/industry_support/winemaking_resources/fining-stabilities/microbiological/avoidance/sulfur_dioxide/
- https://www.extension.iastate.edu/wine/lets-focus-dr-watrelot-1/