Petit Verdot Grape Variety

Petit Verdot is a variety of red wine grape, principally used in classic Bordeaux blends.[1] It ripens much later than the other varieties in Bordeaux, often too late, so it fell out of favour in its home region. When it does ripen, it is added in small amounts to add tannin, colour and flavour to the blend. It has attracted attention among winemakers in the New World, where it ripens more reliably and has been made into single varietal wine. It is also useful in 'stiffening' the mid palate of Cabernet Sauvignon blends.

When young its aromas have been likened to banana and pencil shavings. Strong tones of violet and leather develop as it matures.

History

Petit Verdot probably predates Cabernet Sauvignon in Bordeaux, but its origins are unclear. There are records of it in the eighteenth century,[2] but its characteristics suggest an origin in much hotter climes than the Gironde.

It is one parent of Tressot, the other parent being Duras, a grape from the upper Tarn valley near Toulouse.[3] It's possible that both were brought to the region by the Romans as they moved inland from the Mediterranean.

Distribution and Wines

Argentina

There are some blocks of Petit Verdot in Argentina, although for many years it was labelled as Fer.

Australia

Verdot was included in James Busby's collection of 1832, and it was trialled by Sir William Macarthur in the 1840s.[2] In 2000 there were 1600 hectares in Australia with Kingston Estate in South Australia having the largest planting, four times more than in France.[1] It is increasingly being used to make massive, brooding, single varietal wines that will age for several years - Pirramimma has championed this approach.

Chile

Chile had 137 ha in 2003.[1]

France

Almost all the Petit Verdot in France is planted in Bordeaux, mostly in the Medoc where it is used in small amounts to give structure to the classic Bordeaux blend. However the late ripening means that in some years the entire crop is lost and it only properly ripens once every four years, so it has fallen out of favour, particularly with the trend towards earlier-maturing wine. Chateau Palmer is unusual in having up to 10% Petit Verdot in its blend, which helps stiffen the high proportion of Merlot in their wines. 1-3% is more usual.

Italy

In Italy is sometime cultivated in Maremma (Tuscany) and Lazio. Casale del Giglio Cave, near Rome, produces a wine based on 100% Petit Verdot.

USA

The profusion of Meritage Bordeaux blends has seen considerable interest in the variety in California, where there was 360 ha in 2003.[1] The more consistent, warmer climate is a big help in reliably ripening the grape, and producers are starting to experiment with single varietals. It is also planted in a small way in Colorado, Texas, Virginia, Missouri, and Washington.[1]

Venezuela

Altagracia Vineyards in Carora, Venezuela (a 1980 joint venture between Martell of France and Polar Breweries of Venezuela now solely run by Polar) produce a Bodegas Pomar Petit Verdot wine.

In addition to the countries above, Petit Verdot is used as 'seasoning' in Bordeaux-style blends in British Columbia, New Zealand, South Africa[1] and Spain.

Vine and Viticulture

The leaves have 3-5 lobes with a distinctively elongated central lobe. The small, cylindrical bunches are winged, with small black berries.[2]

The name Petit Verdot ('small green') refers to one of the main problems with the grape, that often the berries fail to develop properly without the right weather during flowering. It also refers to the late ripening which usually comes too late for the Bordeaux climate. Petit Verdot also has a peculiar characteristic in that it produces more than two clusters per shoot.

Synonyms

Bouton, Carmelin, Heran, Lambrusquet Noir, Petit Verdau, Petit Verdot Noir, Verdot and Verdot Rouge.[4]