Fortunately, the pH does not often rise to dangerous levels. Frontenac is a good sugar producer with 24-25 brix not uncommon. Frontenac wine typically has a pleasant cherry aroma with berry and plum evident in many cases. The herbaceousness of its wild riparia background is almost entirely absent. The color is usually a garnet red, but can become excessively dark with long periods of skin time.
Malolactic fermentation is essential to reduce the wine's high acidity.
Tannin levels are usually relatively low. The wine has been described as a bit austere, but with a delicate, flowery nose, and some astringency in mouth and finish. Also, its secondary and tertiary buds seem to have a knack for surviving even colder temperatures and producing fruit. Should be more widely tested in Minnesota and Quebec. Swenson White Another relative newcomer from Elmer Swenson, Swenson White is, like Swenson White, a challenger to St. Pepin in terms of vineyard performance and wine quality.