Introduction

Creating a perfect red blend can be a challenging task for many winemakers. The right combination of grapes, flavors, and textures is crucial to achieve a memorable and balanced wine. In this blog post, we want to introduce a grape variety that often goes unnoticed in red blends but can be the missing ingredient to take your wine to the next level: Petit Verdot.

What is Petit Verdot?

Petit Verdot is a red grape variety that originates from Bordeaux, France. The name means “little green” in French, referring to its tendency to remain green even at full ripeness. It is a late-ripening grape, which can make it challenging to grow in cooler climates, but it thrives in warmer regions.

In Bordeaux, Petit Verdot is typically used in small quantities to add structure, color, and aroma to the red blends. Its dark color, high tannins, and flavors of violets, black currant, and black pepper make it a perfect complement to the more dominant grape varieties in the blend, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Malbec.

Outside of Bordeaux, Petit Verdot is also being grown in regions such as California, Australia, and Chile, where winemakers are experimenting with using the grape as a standalone variety or blending it with other grapes.

Why use Petit Verdot in red blends?

Adding Petit Verdot to a red blend can bring several benefits to the wine:

• Improved color: Petit Verdot has one of the highest color concentrations of all grapes, which can help boost the overall color intensity of the wine.
• Increased tannins: Petit Verdot’s high tannin levels can contribute to the wine’s structure and longevity.
• Enhanced aroma: Petit Verdot can add floral and spice notes to the wine, which can enhance the aroma profile.
• Balanced acidity: Petit Verdot’s high acidity can help balance out the sweetness of the fruitier grapes in the blend.

Furthermore, adding a small quantity of Petit Verdot to a blend can give the wine a unique character and complexity that sets it apart from other red blends.

How to blend Petit Verdot with other grapes?

The ideal proportion of Petit Verdot in a red blend can vary depending on the winemaker’s goals and the other grapes involved. However, a good place to start is to use Petit Verdot as a minor component, typically between 5-10% of the blend.

Here are some guidelines on how to create a red blend with Petit Verdot:

Note that these proportions are just a starting point, and winemakers should adjust them based on their personal preferences and the specific characteristics of the grapes they are using.

How to recognize Petit Verdot in a wine?

When tasting a red blend that contains Petit Verdot, look for the following characteristics that are typical of this grape:

• Color: The wine should have a dark, intense color that is deeper than a typical Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated blend.
• Tannins: Petit Verdot contributes to the wine’s structure and can create a drying sensation in the mouth. The tannins should be firm but not overwhelming.
• Aroma: Petit Verdot can add floral and spicy aromas to the wine, such as violets, lavender, and black pepper.
• Flavor: The wine should have flavors of dark fruit, such as blackberry and black currant, as well as hints of spice and tobacco.

Of course, these characteristics can vary depending on the wine’s terroir, vintage, and other grape varieties used in the blend. However, Petit Verdot should add a unique touch to the wine that is different from other red blends.

Conclusion: Why consider using Petit Verdot in your red blend?

Petit Verdot is a grape variety with a lot to offer to red blends. Its dark color, high tannins, and floral/spicy aromas can complement the other grapes in the blend and create a wine that is more complex and memorable. By using Petit Verdot as a minor component in a red blend, winemakers can add a unique character to their wine that sets it apart from other red blends.

FAQ

• Can Petit Verdot be used as a standalone variety?

  Yes, Petit Verdot can be used as a standalone variety, although it is less common than using it in a red blend. Petit Verdot wines tend to be very tannic and concentrated, with flavors of dark fruit and spice.

• Can Petit Verdot be grown in cooler climates?

  Petit Verdot is a late-ripening grape that requires warm temperatures to achieve full ripeness. It can be challenging to grow in cooler climates, but some winemakers in regions such as Virginia and Washington State are experimenting with it.

• What are some other grape varieties that can be blended with Petit Verdot?

  Petit Verdot can be blended with many other red grape varieties, depending on the winemaker’s goals. Some common ones include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Syrah, and Grenache.