Petit Verdot - The little but big grape
February, 2013 Filed in: Wine varieties
Petit Verdot, a small grape with perhaps the biggest, boldest most structured wine. It is primarily used in classic French Bordeaux blends where it provides body and structure to these blends. Petit Verdot is high in tannins.
Because it ripens much later than other Bordeaux varietals it is not the primary grape in the blend and in some cooler shorter years maybe be absent. However in Australia, it ideally suited with the longer warm growing season. In Australia it is often sold on its own and not in a blend.
The origins of Petit Verdot are unknown, but it is an ancient variety, pre-dating Cabernet Sauvignon this variety is not for those that prefer fruity wines, but rather for those that like big bold wines.
When consumed young, Petit Verdot has banana-like aromas and pencil shavings. As it ages, strong tones of violet and leather develop.
What foods to enjoy your Petit Verdot? Because of the rigid tannic structure of the wine it goes well with foods with plenty of weight, protein and fat. So think of red meats, particularly barbecued, well-aged cheese such as Stilton, wild game and lamb chops.
You will find Petit Verdot in the February KenRidge Showcase Collection Menage a Trois. It is also available as a single varietal in the Selection Australian Petit Verdot which comes with crushed grapes.
Because it ripens much later than other Bordeaux varietals it is not the primary grape in the blend and in some cooler shorter years maybe be absent. However in Australia, it ideally suited with the longer warm growing season. In Australia it is often sold on its own and not in a blend.
The origins of Petit Verdot are unknown, but it is an ancient variety, pre-dating Cabernet Sauvignon this variety is not for those that prefer fruity wines, but rather for those that like big bold wines.
When consumed young, Petit Verdot has banana-like aromas and pencil shavings. As it ages, strong tones of violet and leather develop.
What foods to enjoy your Petit Verdot? Because of the rigid tannic structure of the wine it goes well with foods with plenty of weight, protein and fat. So think of red meats, particularly barbecued, well-aged cheese such as Stilton, wild game and lamb chops.
You will find Petit Verdot in the February KenRidge Showcase Collection Menage a Trois. It is also available as a single varietal in the Selection Australian Petit Verdot which comes with crushed grapes.