The red grape variety (also MN 78) is an interspecific new variety between Beta x Witt. It contains genes from Vitis labrusca (from the famous Concord), Vitis riparia and Vitis vinifera. The hybrid was crossed in 1971 by the US-breeder M. J. Dorsey in the USA at the "University Minnesota Fruit Breeding Farm". It is an all-female grape variety. It was used by the breeder Elmer Swenson (1913-2004) for further crosses. The variety was a crossing partner of the new varieties Adalmiina, Edelweiss, Kay Gray, La Crosse, Muscat Swenson, Radisson, Sabrevois, St. Croix, St. Pepin, Swenson Red, Swenson White. In 2016 no stocks were reported (Kym Anderson).
For me, Lexicon from wein.plus is the most comprehensive and best source of information about wine currently available.
Egon Mark
Diplom-Sommelier, Weinakademiker und Weinberater, Volders (Österreich)