Graciano
Also known as: Morrastel, Tinta Miuda, Xeres, Courouillade
Late-ripening, high acid + tannin, deep color; Rioja blender (with Tempranillo). Low yields. Disease reads conflict: peer-reviewed (OENO One) calls it fairly resistant to downy/powdery; popular sources call it downy-prone. US plantings in T
Across the consideration criteria
What it makes
Aromatic family
Tasting notes
Often blended with
How it grows
- Cold hardiness
- -5°F
- Ripening
- Late-season
- Vigor
- Low
- Disease tolerance
- High
- Drainage need
- Moderately Well
- Soil pH
- 6–7
- Graft requirement
- Graft Recommended
- US availability
- Rare
Considerations
Primary buds start to die near -5°F. Cold-tender; wants a mild winter or protected site.
Needs roughly 3700 growing degree-days to ripen, a late-season variety (Winkler III). Wants a long, warm season; marginal in cool regions.
Foliar-disease pressure is moderate for this variety, a regular spray program in a humid climate. Regular cover sprays through the wet months.
Susceptible to Pierce's disease. Only a threat in the warm, humid South and parts of California; cold-winter regions cure it naturally.
Low vigor. Easier to balance; tolerates more fertile ground.
High heat tolerance. Holds up to a hot, sunny season.
Moderate water demand. Average moisture needs for a wine grape.
Prefers soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Outside the band, lime or sulfur brings it in range.
Phylloxera-tolerant: own-rooted vines are fine.
These are intrinsic to the grape. On a real property, Folia scores each against your site; here they're shown on their own.
Grows alike
similar to growAgiorgitiko
Same heat band (high) · Same Winkler band (III)
Cabernet Sauvignon
Same heat band (high) · Same Winkler band (III)
Teroldego
Same heat band (high) · Same Winkler band (III)
Saperavi
Same heat band (high) · Both moderate diurnal dependence
Marselan
Same heat band (high) · Same Winkler band (III)
Cabernet Franc
Same heat band (high) · Same Winkler band (III)
Climate-adapted alternatives
more resilient picksNorton
PIWI: bred for fungal pressure · Better powdery mildew + black rot resistance (6 pathogen-steps improved)
Léon Millot
PIWI: bred for fungal pressure · Better black rot + botrytis resistance (5 pathogen-steps improved)
Corot Noir
PIWI: bred for fungal pressure · Better powdery mildew + black rot resistance (5 pathogen-steps improved)
Maréchal Foch
PIWI: bred for fungal pressure · Better downy mildew + black rot resistance (4 pathogen-steps improved)
Noiret
PIWI: bred for fungal pressure · Better powdery mildew + black rot resistance (5 pathogen-steps improved)
Champanel
PIWI: bred for fungal pressure · Better downy mildew + powdery mildew resistance (6 pathogen-steps improved)
Could Graciano grow on your land?
See how Graciano scores against your specific property, with local precedent, climate, and the tradeoffs for your ground.
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