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St. Pepin is a modern, exceptionally cold-hardy hybrid white grape variety bred for cool climate regions in the US. This grape produces incredibly aromatic wines whose floral and fruity profiles are often compared to German Riesling or Gewürztraminer. It is a refreshing, high-quality, and exciting discovery for fans of northern winemaking.
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Lithuania
This variety is highly versatile and allows winemakers to experiment, which is why you can find drinks of varying sweetness levels on the market.
When produced as a dry wine, St. Pepin delights with aromas of pears, apples, and citrus, backed by firm, crisp acidity. However, this grape accumulates sugar very well, so it is often used to create naturally sweet, semi-sweet, or even famous "ice wines", smelling of honey and exotic fruits.
Dry-style St. Pepin wine is the perfect companion for poultry dishes, light fish, and fresh salads. If you have chosen a semi-dry or sweeter version, boldly pair it with spicier Asian cuisine (e.g., Indian curries), strong-flavored cheeses, or fruit desserts.
This variety was created by the famous grape breeder Elmer Swenson. Its greatest advantage is its ability to withstand extreme winter frosts (down to -30 °C). This allows winemakers in the US Midwest, Canada, and the Baltic states to grow high-quality white wine in areas where traditional European varieties would simply not survive.
The St. Pepin grape (like the rare Tavkveri) has only female flowers, meaning it cannot self-pollinate. In the vineyard, it must be planted next to other varieties (most commonly La Crosse). While it makes excellent single-varietal wines, due to the specifics of harvesting and to balance acidity, winemakers often use it in various northern blends.
