April 11, 2012, Wednesday - A Sip of Science at Aster Cafe

Time: 5:30pm

Location: Aster Cafe, 125 SE Main Street

A Sip of Science:  Geology and the Terroir of Wine Growing in Minnesota

Ever hear of Frontenac? La Crescent? Marquette?

These are Minnesota cold-hardy wine grapes, specially bred to bear full crops even after the vines experience the cold of Minnesota winters. The University of Minnesota has been in the grape-growing business since the late 1880s, and today, the University is recognized as having one of the top wine grape programs in the United States. Minnesota wines have won awards in both national and international competitions, and the Upper Mississippi Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA) is now is largest appellation (region for wine growing) in the world.
 
Join glacial geologist Dr. James Cotter as he illustrates how the challenges of wine growing in the Minnesota climate are met with the development of new grape species and innovative growing practices. He will also discuss how the geologic context for wine grape growing may provide insight on the future of wine making in Minnesota.

About Dr. Cotter:

Dr. James Cotter has been a professor in the Geology Department at the University of Minnesota-Morris since 1984.  He specializes in glacial geology, authoring over 25 papers on the subject.  In 1989 he was awarded the University of Minnesota, Morse - Alumni Award for outstanding contributions to undergraduate education and in 1997 he was named to the University of Minnesota Academy of Distinguished Faculty.  In 2000, Cotter received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mentoring (PAESMEM Award).  He speaks and leads field trips regularly on the geology of wine growing and terroir. 

A SIP OF SCIENCE bridges the gap between science and culture in a setting that bridges the gap between brain and belly. Food, beer and learning are on the menu in a happy hour forum in which researchers pair with musicians, artists and storytellers to put science in context through storytelling.