Kisi
Georgian; similar hardiness and thick skin to Rkatsiteli, more aromatic. Almost unplanted in the US.
Across the consideration criteria
What it makes
Aromatic family
Tasting notes
How it grows
- Cold hardiness
- Hardy to about -15°F
- Ripening
- Mid-season
- Vigor
- Moderate
- Disease tolerance
- Moderate, on 3 of 6 pathogens rated
- Drainage need
- Moderately Well
- Soil pH
- 6–7
- Graft requirement
- Graft Required
- US availability
- Rare
Considerations
Primary buds start to die near -15°F. Handles a normal cold-climate winter, but a hard freeze is a risk.
Needs roughly 3050 growing degree-days to ripen, a mid-season variety (Winkler III). Wants a long, warm season; marginal in cool regions.
Foliar-disease pressure is heavy for this variety, a intensive spray program in a humid climate. A full, well-timed fungicide schedule is the management it asks for.
Susceptible to Pierce's disease. Only a threat in the warm, humid South and parts of California; cold-winter regions cure it naturally.
Moderate 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-susceptible: plant grafted onto resistant rootstock.
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 growPetit Manseng
Same heat band (high) · Same Winkler band (III)
Ribolla Gialla
Same heat band (high) · Same Winkler band (III)
Vitovska
Same heat band (high) · Same Winkler band (III)
Rkatsiteli
Same heat band (high) · Same Winkler band (III)
Verdicchio
Same heat band (high) · Same Winkler band (III)
Gouais Blanc
Same heat band (high) · Same Winkler band (III)
Climate-adapted alternatives
more resilient picksTraminette
PIWI: bred for fungal pressure · Better downy mildew + powdery mildew resistance (5 pathogen-steps improved)
Cayuga White
PIWI: bred for fungal pressure · Better downy mildew + powdery mildew resistance (5 pathogen-steps improved)
Cabernet Blanc
PIWI: bred for fungal pressure · Better downy mildew + powdery mildew resistance (5 pathogen-steps improved)
Sauvignac
PIWI: bred for fungal pressure · Better downy mildew + powdery mildew resistance (5 pathogen-steps improved)
Sauvignon Rytos
PIWI: bred for fungal pressure · Better downy mildew + powdery mildew resistance (5 pathogen-steps improved)
Aromella
PIWI: bred for fungal pressure · Better downy mildew + powdery mildew resistance (4 pathogen-steps improved)
Could Kisi grow on your land?
See how Kisi scores against your specific property, with local precedent, climate, and the tradeoffs for your ground.
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