Yes, Hybrid Grapes Do Make Good Wine with Dancing Dragonfly

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Wave goodbye to wine intimidation—this episode of Everyday Sommelier uncorks a future where hybrid grapes and cold climate winemaking take center stage. Yes, you should try them. Now!

Join me as I sits down with James Peterson and Mark Wedge at Dancing Dragonfly Winery in Wisconsin, unlocking the secrets behind critically acclaimed Midwest wines made from grapes like Marquette, Frontenac, La Crescent, and more.

Uncover why traditional vinifera grapes can’t thrive in Wisconsin’s short, icy growing season, and see how innovative hybrid varieties developed by teams like the University of Minnesota empower local wineries to produce bold, balanced, and food-friendly wines with surprising complexity. 

We're diving into the science behind hybridization, the learning curve of typicity, and how Midwest winemakers are rewriting the rules for wine style, blending, and customer experience.

You’ll gain actionable takeaways on how to shop for, taste, and enjoy these rebel-region wines, even if you’re a classic Cabernet or Chardonnay lover. This is your go-to guide for building wine fluency and confidence in one of wine’s fastest-rising movements—minus the snobbery.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

• Why Midwest wineries rely on hybrid grapes, and the science behind their resilience
• How to bridge the gap from classic wine preferences to falling in love with new grape varieties
• What to expect from the acidity, sweetness, and style spectrum of cold climate wines
• How “wine snobbery” is being replaced by experimentation and genuine wine enjoyment in the Midwest

KEY TIMESTAMPS:

• [00:06:11]
  Midwest Winters vs. Wine Grapes: The Survival Challenge
  Why traditional vinifera wines aren’t viable in Wisconsin, and how hybrids win the climate battle.
• [00:10:13]
  Are Hybrid Grapes Always Foxy? Debunking Common Tasting Myths
  Addressing taste misconceptions and revealing today’s quality improvements in hybrid winemaking.
• [00:14:24]
  How Midwest Wines Redefine Typicity and Wine Style
  Exploring the new rules

Everyday Sommelier Podcast is turning ONE! Thanks to you, our loyal listeners, we've had a fantastic first year! We're relaunching a few of your favorite episodes in celebration!

We're also announcing the launch of Sip Society Collective where high-impact women can 10X their Social Power Skills through wine. https://sipsocietycollective.com.

Cheers to many more years! Kristi

It's been such a pleasure sharing wine with you this past year! We also want to let you know our INSTAGRAM handle has changed to @kristi_sipsocietycollective - if you are already following, you're good to go. If you haven't followed us yet, now is the time!

Cheers to one year, our launch of Sip Society Collective (https://sipsocietycollective.com) and to learning wine your way! Kristi

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