Illinois growers choose American and French-American grapes for their ability to handle winter cold. American varieties generally bring greater cold hardiness and disease resistance than French-American or French varieties. Upper Mississippi River Valley and Shawnee Hills are the state's listed appellations.
Elsewhere in Midwest
Continue through the region
- ArkansasNo producers listed yetArkansas includes the Altus and Arkansas Mountain AVAs. Beyond those mountain areas, vineyards generally turn to hardier grapes better suited to cold conditions.
- IndianaNo producers listed yetIndiana's wineries are concentrated in the south and centre, where climate and soils better support grape cultivation. Ohio River Valley and Indiana Uplands are listed appellations.
- IowaNo producers listed yetIowa's cold-hardy grapes support dry, sweet, rosé, dessert, sparkling and ice-style wines. Some reds can be low in tannin, with currant and dried-fruit flavours.
- MichiganNo producers listed yetMichigan's wine areas take much of their character from the Great Lakes. Old Mission Peninsula is associated with Riesling and Pinot Grigio, while Lake Michigan Shore is known for bold reds and hybrid varieties.
- Minnesota1 producerMinnesota's cold climate leaves many wines with high acidity. Varieties developed by the University of Minnesota, including La Crescent and Frontenac, suit off-dry, dessert and ice-style wines.
- MississippiNo producers listed yetMississippi's warm, humid conditions favor muscadines, so local wines lean toward muscadine-based styles. These grapes are not cold-hardy and can be injured near 0°F.
- MissouriNo producers listed yetNorton/Cynthiana is Missouri's official state grape and central to its red-wine identity. Hermann, Augusta and the Ozark Highlands are among the state's listed appellations.
- OhioNo producers listed yetOhio includes wines made in labrusca, hybrid and vinifera styles. Grand River Valley, Loramie Creek and Isle St. George are its listed appellations.
- WisconsinNo producers listed yetWisconsin has five distinct wine regions. Within the state, the Driftless Region places more emphasis on traditional grape-wine varieties than the other regions.