Merlot Khorus
Also known as: UD 31-125
PIWI red, Rpv 12, loose cluster. Best-decorated of the family at the PIWI awards (gold, 90-91). Very high vigour wants summer pruning and de-suckering. The breeder flags black rot; botrytis and anthracnose sit at average.
Across the consideration criteria
What it makes
Aromatic family
Tasting notes
How it grows
- Cold hardiness
- Hardy to about -4°F
- Ripening
- Mid-season
- Vigor
- Very High
- Disease tolerance
- High, on 5 of 6 pathogens rated
- Drainage need
- Well
- Soil pH
- 6–7
- Graft requirement
- Graft Required
- US availability
- Unavailable
Considerations
Primary buds start to die near -4°F. Cold-tender; wants a mild winter or protected site.
Needs roughly 2800 growing degree-days to ripen, a mid-season variety (Winkler III). A mid-length season carries it most years.
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.
Very High vigor. Wants leaner ground and active canopy management, or fruit hides in shade.
Moderate heat tolerance. Comfortable across a moderate heat range.
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 growCabernet Volos
Same heat band (moderate) · Same Winkler band (III)
Cabernet Eidos
Same heat band (moderate) · Same Winkler band (III)
Merlot Kanthus
Same heat band (moderate) · Same Winkler band (III)
De Chaunac
Same heat band (moderate) · Same Winkler band (III)
Errante Noir
Same Winkler band (III) · Both moderate diurnal dependence
Crimson Cabernet
Same Winkler band (III) · Both moderate diurnal dependence
Climate-adapted alternatives
more resilient picksLéon Millot
PIWI: bred for fungal pressure · Better black rot + botrytis resistance (4 pathogen-steps improved)
Corot Noir
PIWI: bred for fungal pressure · Better black rot + botrytis resistance (4 pathogen-steps improved)
Norton
PIWI: bred for fungal pressure · Better black rot + botrytis resistance (4 pathogen-steps improved)
Noiret
PIWI: bred for fungal pressure · Better black rot + botrytis resistance (4 pathogen-steps improved)
Frontenac
Better black rot + botrytis resistance (3 pathogen-steps improved) · Tolerates 26°F more winter cold
Petite Pearl
Better black rot + botrytis resistance (3 pathogen-steps improved) · Tolerates 29°F more winter cold
Could Merlot Khorus grow on your land?
See how Merlot Khorus scores against your specific property, with local precedent, climate, and the tradeoffs for your ground.
Start with your address