Petit Verdot

Portrait

Petit Verdot is an old Bordeaux variety that serves as a blending partner rather than a main grape. The name means "little green one" and alludes to its late, often incomplete ripening. In Bordeaux it is among the permitted varieties for the red wines of the Médoc.

The vine buds late and ripens very late, often incompletely in cool years; it needs warm sites and well-drained soils. The small, dark berries give plenty of colour, tannin and acidity, so wines are usually blended in small proportions. In warm regions such as Western Australia, where the variety ripens more reliably, single-variety wines with dense structure and violet and plum notes are also made.

Petit Verdot goes with strong meat dishes, game and aged cheese and needs years of bottle age.