Petit Verdot

Petit Verdot is one of those grapes that spent centuries lurking in the background before stepping into the light—and it turns out it had quite a personality all along.

Its origins lie in Bordeaux, France, where it has been documented since at least the 18th century. Traditionally, Petit Verdot played a small but important supporting role in classic Bordeaux blends, especially in the Médoc. The problem was ripening: Petit Verdot ripens very late, and Bordeaux’s cool, maritime climate often left it stubbornly underripe. As a result, it gradually fell out of favor during the 20th century, replaced by more reliable varieties.

The name “Petit Verdot” roughly translates to “little green,” likely a nod to its tendency to stay green late into the growing season. The “petit” also reflects its historical use in small proportions rather than any physical size of the vine or berry.

Where Bordeaux struggled, warmer regions flourished. Petit Verdot has since found success in climates that allow it to ripen fully, including Spain, southern France, California, Australia, South America, and other Mediterranean-style regions. In these conditions, it reveals its true nature rather than its grumpy, underripe alter ego.

Viticulturally, Petit Verdot is a late-ripening, thick-skinned grape with naturally high levels of tannin and color. It produces intensely pigmented wines—often nearly opaque—and retains good acidity when properly ripened. Aromatically, it leans toward dark fruits like blackberry and plum, often layered with violet, herbal notes, and occasional spice.

In the glass, Petit Verdot delivers power and structure. The wines are deeply colored, bold, and tannic, with a firm backbone that makes them well suited to aging. Over time, those muscular tannins soften, allowing more complexity to emerge. While it still excels as a blending grape—adding color, structure, and intensity—many producers now bottle it on its own to showcase its dark, brooding character.

In short, Petit Verdot is no longer content being the quiet fifth member of the Bordeaux blend. Given enough warmth and patience, it becomes a commanding, age-worthy wine that rewards those willing to let it fully ripen and fully speak.