Petit Verdot
Definition - What does Petit Verdot mean?
Petit Verdot is a red wine varietal grown in the Bordeaux region in southwestern France. Petit Verdot is used in classic Bordeaux blends. Today this varietal can be found in other notable regions including Médoc, California and Australia. In Australia, Chile, Argentina and the USA, Petit Verdot is used to make a single varietal wine, as the new world wine regions have a more consistent harvest and production. Regardless of the region where it is produced Petit Verot wines are dry in flavor.
WineFrog explains Petit Verdot
Petit Verdot vines have a special characteristic as one shoot of the vine produces more than two clusters. Another distinctive vine characteristic is their late-ripening, small black berries, with winged cylindrical bunches. Ripened Petit Verdot can add taste,
Given the inconsistent production of vineyards in the old world, most classic Bordeaux blends are produced with 2-3% of Petit Verdot. Apart from its small role in the production of classic Bordeaux blends, Petit Verdot vines are used to make Château Palmer. But, even in Château Palmer, it is produced with 6% concentration of Petit Verdot. Because of its extremely strong and distinct uniqueness, it needs to be blended with other wines to maintain its characteristics.
