August 4th each year is National White Wine Day and we’d be remiss if we didn’t recognize some of the AMAZING white wines being produced right here in Iowa! Before we dive into HOW to celebrate this day (as if you needed a reason to crack open a bottle!), let’s talk about the varietals growing here in Iowa and what makes them so special.

The grapes growing here in Iowa are called cold climate grapes, or French-American Hybrids. They’re different than those you may be more used to hearing tossed around in conversation, such as Chardonnay, Merlot or Pinot Noir. Those grapes are what is referred to as vitis vinifera and account for about 90% of the grapes grown around the world, so it’s no wonder that they’re the varietals most people are familiar with! French-American Hybrid grapes were originally developed as a solution for Phylloxera which devastated the vineyards of Europe in the mid-1800s. Unlike vinifera, these hybrid insect- and disease-resistant grapes aren’t as affected by the pests, rot or mildew and designed to withstand the Midwest’s harsh winters and shorter growing seasons, so they’re perfectly suited to grow in Iowa. Let’s talk about some of the common white grape varietals growing in Iowa that you will see at Iowa wineries.

La Crescent

One of the most cold-hardy grapes, La Crescent was named after a small town in Minnesota, where it was developed at the University of Minnesota. It has high sugar and acid levels, and with intense apricot, peach and citrus on the nose. Iowa winemakers typically use it to produce off-dry to sweet white wines that are pale yellow in color with fruity apricot, peach and citrusy notes.

Find La Crescent at: 99 Bottles Winery, Airport Road Winery, Annelise Winery, Wooden Wheel Vineyards & lots more Iowa wineries.

Brianna

One of the more widely grown grapes in Iowa, Brianna grapes were developed by Elmer Swenson in Wisconsin. Iowa winemakers typically use Brianna to produce semi-sweet or sweet white wines as it offers intense tropical aromas (think pineapple, mango and banana) with crisp apricot, honey and peach flavors and stands up well on its own but is also often used in blends.

Find Brianna at: Breezy Hills Vineyard, Buchanan House Winery, Cedar Ridge Winery, Nearwood Winery, Penoach Winery, Prairie Crossing Winery, Tabor Home Winery, Wooden Wheel Vineyards & lots more Iowa wineries.

Frontenac Gris

So, while technically considered a white grape varietal, Frontenac Gris (pronounced Frawn-ten-ak Gree) actually produces pinkish gray grapes! This varietal is a bud mutation of the deep purple Frontenac grape. Iowa winemakers generally cold-press these uniquely colored grapes to make a beautiful peachy/pink colored wine with stonefruit and citrus aromas and peach, pineapple and tropical fruit flavors, with hints of honey.

Calico Skies Winery, Cedar Ridge Winery Eagles Landing Winery, La Vida Loca Winery, Lindon Wines, Soldier Creek Winery, The Winery at Kirkwood, Train Wreck Winery & lots more Iowa wineries.

La Crosse

Another Elmer Swenson varietal out of Wisconsin, La Crosse grapes produce high quality, clean white wines, often used in dry or off-dry blends. La Crosse wines have pear, apricot and citrus on the nose, with fruity flavors and moderate acid.

Find La Crosse at: Snus Hill Winery, Tassel Ridge Winery, Tabor Home Winery, Grape Escape Winery & lots more Iowa wineries.

Edelweiss

Also developed by Elmer Swenson with the University of Minnesota (notice a pattern here?), Edelweiss (pronounced Adel-vice) is harvested early in the season to avoid foxy characteristics. Iowa winemakers use Edelweiss to produce sweet, aromatic white wines, often in blends to lend both aroma and flavor. This varietal offers candied-fruit on the nose (like fresh strawberries or Jolly Ranchers candy - yum!) and has citrus, peach and green apple flavors.

Ardon Creek Winery, Vine Street Cellars, Covered Bridges Winery, Eagles Landing Winery, Old Town Winery, Tucker Hill Winery, Tycoga Winery & lots more Iowa wineries.

Vignoles

Also grown in the Finger Lakes region of New York, Vignoles is one of the more commonly grown hybrid varietals. Vignoles (pronounced (veen-yole), offers luscious floral, apricot and fresh cut tropical fruit aromas, making it versatile enough for wines ranging from dry to sweet, late harvest dessert wines. Iowa winemakers typically use Vignoles in blends, as its citrus, floral and tropical flavors pair well with other hybrid grapes.

Find Vignoles at: Cedar Valley Winery, Madison County Winery, Summerset Winery, Fireside Winery, Backcountry Winery & lots more Iowa wineries.

So there you have it! Enjoy National White Wine Day by stopping by your local winery and grabbing a bottle (or two - we won’t judge!) of local Iowa wine to celebrate.

6 Iowa Wines to Enjoy on National White Wine Day