University of Illinois wine-grape researcher Bill Shoemaker works in the greenhouse at St. Charles Horticultural Center in St. Charles, Ill.
/ AP photo
DAVID MERCER, Associated Press
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Bill Shoemaker finds the grapes he works with growing all over Illinois — even on the sides of well-traveled roads. But you probably wouldn't want turn them into wine.
Shoemaker is a University of Illinois researcher. He hopes to cross the wild varieties with their higher-pedigree wine-grape cousins to find a tougher grape that can thrive through Midwest winters and survive plant diseases.
Shoemaker says such a variety could help the Midwest's growing wine industry. The region is home to hundreds of wineries that have popped up over the past 15 or so years.
Winemakers like Peggy Harmston of Elizabeth, Ill., would like more good wine-grape varieties, but she knows it's a long process.
Shoemaker says his work could take 15 or more years.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKHQA