The Petit Verdot grape variety is one of the six approved grapes for making red wines in the Bordeaux region of France. One of Bordeaux’s classic red grape varieties, it has long been established in the Medoc, probable longer than Cabernet Sauvignon.
Because Petit Verdot tends to ripen late in the season and is often lost to rains during harvest, it is following another variety, Carmenere, into near extinction in the Bordeaux region. Plantings of this variety are on the rise in Australia because the weather there allows for consistent ripening of the grapes.
It is a very dark, thick-skinned grape that produces a wine of considerable depth with the colour intensity and spice similar to that of Shiraz. Much like Shiraz the wines often display peppery and fragrant aromas but with added nuiances of ‘violets’ which makes the nose very attractive.
In McLaren Vale, vintages characterized by a long, warm growing season produce wines from Petit Verdot that are deep in color, with a superb aroma, bouquet, and rich flavour.