(Businessweek) - South Dakota State University is taking part in a project aimed at stimulating the grape and wine industry in South Dakota and a dozen other northern states with cold climates. The U.S. Department of Agriculture will provide funding for the project that will examine the wine-making process from startup to sustainable profitability. It will look at improving the taste and quality of cold-climate grapes, identifying pest and disease control strategies and establishing marketing plans. SDSU will receive nearly $485,000 for the project. The university will be responsible for identifying novel flavors and aromas that define quality in cold-climate grapes.