Malvasia Bianca
Warm-climate white vinifera. Mediterranean aromatic white; warm-climate. Pure vinifera: PD-susceptible (genus) and high downy/powdery/black-rot pressure (genus default). Added for desert/Mediterranean coverage. Cold figure estimate.
Across the consideration criteria
What it makes
Aromatic family
Tasting notes
How it grows
- Cold hardiness
- 0°F
- Ripening
- Late-season
- Vigor
- High
- Disease tolerance
- Moderate
- Drainage need
- Well
- Soil pH
- 5.5–7.5
- Graft requirement
- Graft Required
- US availability
- Widely Available
Considerations
Primary buds start to die near 0°F. Cold-tender; wants a mild winter or protected site.
Needs roughly 3500 growing degree-days to ripen, a late-season variety (Winkler IV-V). 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. Plan on a full, well-timed fungicide schedule.
Susceptible to Pierce's disease. Only a threat in the warm, humid South and parts of California; cold-winter regions cure it naturally.
High vigor. Wants leaner ground and active canopy management, or fruit hides in shade.
High heat tolerance. Holds up to a hot, sunny season.
Moderate water demand. Average moisture needs for a wine grape.
Prefers soil pH between 5.5 and 7.5. 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 growViognier
Same heat band (high) · Same Winkler band (IV-V)
Marsanne
Same heat band (high) · Same Winkler band (IV-V)
Roussanne
Same heat band (high) · Same Winkler band (IV-V)
Vermentino
Same heat band (high) · Same Winkler band (IV-V)
Greco
Same heat band (high) · Same Winkler band (IV-V)
Falanghina
Same heat band (high) · Same Winkler band (IV-V)
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)
Aromella
PIWI: bred for fungal pressure · Better downy mildew + powdery mildew resistance (4 pathogen-steps improved)
Chardonel
Better downy mildew + powdery mildew resistance (3 pathogen-steps improved) · Tolerates 15°F more winter cold
Could Malvasia Bianca grow on your land?
See how Malvasia Bianca scores against your specific property, with local precedent, climate, and the tradeoffs for your ground.
Start with your address