Petit Verdot

Petit Verdot is a rare red wine variety known for its small berries with thick skins that give the wine a deep purple-black color and intense aroma of black fruit, spices, and flowers. Traditionally, this variety plays a minor role in classic Bordeaux blends, often combined with varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. Petit Verdot is valued for its distinct tannins and high acidity, which give it a full and heavy taste, ideal for bottle aging and can be stored for many years.

The Petit Verdot variety originates from Bordeaux but is now grown in many areas of southern Europe, America, and Australia, including California, Spain, Portugal, Chile, and Argentina. It achieves the greatest success in areas with warm and dry climates. The 1960s marked the decline of the variety in Bordeaux, where many vineyards were replaced with more reliable varieties, but the 1980s brought a renaissance of Petit Verdot, especially in the New World regions.

The variety is sensitive to climatic conditions and tends to ripen late, making it a challenging choice in cooler vintages. However, its thick skins and small berries provide excellent resistance to rot and diseases.

You can taste Petit Verdot in a cuvée in wines from Château Beaumont, Château Pontet-Canet, Château Clos Manou, and Château Lynch-Bages.