Sangiovese
Also known as: Brunello, Nielluccio, Morellino, Prugnolo Gentile
A vinifera red (Tuscany, Italy; warm-continental).
Across the consideration criteria
What it makes
Aromatic family
Tasting notes
Often blended with
How it grows
- Cold hardiness
- -8°F
- Ripening
- Late-season
- Vigor
- High
- Disease tolerance
- Moderate
- Drainage need
- Well
- Soil pH
- 6–7
- Graft requirement
- Graft Required
- US availability
- Widely Available
Considerations
Primary buds start to die near -8°F. Cold-tender; wants a mild winter or protected site.
Needs roughly 3050 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.
Drought Adapted water demand. Does well on dry, well-drained ground without irrigation.
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 growGrenache
Same heat band (high) · Same Winkler band (IV-V)
Carignan
Same heat band (high) · Same Winkler band (IV-V)
Mourvedre
Same heat band (high) · Same Winkler band (IV-V)
Zinfandel
Same heat band (high) · Same Winkler band (IV-V)
Petite Sirah
Same heat band (high) · Same Winkler band (IV-V)
Cinsault
Same heat band (high) · Same Winkler band (IV-V)
Climate-adapted alternatives
more resilient picksCrimson Cabernet
PIWI: bred for fungal pressure · Better downy mildew + powdery mildew resistance (6 pathogen-steps improved)
Divico
PIWI: bred for fungal pressure · Better downy mildew + powdery mildew resistance (6 pathogen-steps improved)
Champanel
PIWI: bred for fungal pressure · Better downy mildew + powdery mildew resistance (6 pathogen-steps improved)
Regent
PIWI: bred for fungal pressure · Better downy mildew + powdery mildew resistance (5 pathogen-steps improved)
Cabernet Cortis
PIWI: bred for fungal pressure · Better downy mildew + powdery mildew resistance (4 pathogen-steps improved)
Pinotin
PIWI: bred for fungal pressure · Better downy mildew + powdery mildew resistance (4 pathogen-steps improved)
Could Sangiovese grow on your land?
See how Sangiovese scores against your specific property, with local precedent, climate, and the tradeoffs for your ground.
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