Collection: Petit Verdot

Petit Verdot is a dark grape variety with roots in Bordeaux, where for centuries it has played a supporting role in the classic red blends. It is a late-ripening grape that requires warmth and patience to reach full maturity, and for precisely that reason it has traditionally been a small but characterful component rather than the lead. When it ripens fully, it develops firm, rounded tannins and a pronounced aromatic depth, while its high acidity and marked tannin content yield wines with the structure to evolve over many years.

At Copenhagen Wine we carry Petit Verdot from Italy, more specifically from Toscana. Here the grape thrives in a sunny, Mediterranean climate that helps it achieve the full maturity that is the prerequisite for its round tannins and generous aromatics. In Toscana it most often forms part of a blend, where it contributes colour, body and longevity, but it also appears as a more independent voice by virtue of its distinct personality.

The grape has an intriguing history of migration beyond its French home. In the 19th century it came to Spain, and towards the end of the twentieth century it was reintroduced by Marqués de Griñón. In Castilla y León it has even established itself as a monovarietal wine under the Vino de la Tierra designation, while in Ribera del Duero it is used in small quantities as part of the blends. It nonetheless remains a relatively rare variety in Spain.

If you are looking for a red wine with backbone, Petit Verdot is worth getting to know. The tannins and acidity make it a wine that often gains from a few years in the bottle, and one that suits food with richness and spice. You will encounter it under several synonyms, including Verdot, Verdot Rouge, Petit Verdau and Carmelin, but it is the same robust grape hiding behind the names.