Petite verdot

Since the late 1970s, many vintners have turned to the Bordeaux model and blended smaller portions of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petite Verdot into their Cabernets. The case for blending is still under review, but clearly there are successes.

Merlot, Petite Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petite Verdot, Grenache and Syrah are planted as well. Usually Merlot, Malbec, Petite Syrah, Petite Verdot and Cabernet Franc are used to blend with the Cabernet Sauvignon based wines.

While it is rarely used for more than adding a bit of color, it is one of the five grapes allowed, along with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petite Verdot.

For reds, the grapes allowed are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot and Malbec; for whites, Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.

It is most famous in Bordeaux, France, where it's part of a blend that can include any or all of the following grapes to increase the complexity of the final wine: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petite Verdot.

On the other hand, Cabernet, Merlot, Petite Verdot, Syrah and most Italian varieties require more warmth during the growing season to attain optimum fruitiness without any green flavors in their wines.

The term arose out of the need to name wines that didn't meet minimal labeling requirements for varietals (i.e., 75 percent of the named grape variety). For reds, the grapes allowed are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot and ...

In the late 1980s, there was a surge of interest in the variety among Tuscan winemakers who saw in this local grape variety similarity to the role Petite Verdot plays in Bordeaux blends.

Bordeaux red grapes are Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Gros Verdot, Malbec, Merlot, Petite Verdot, and St. Macaire; Bordeaux white grapes are Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle, and Sémillon.

See also: Cabernet, Blend, Bordeaux, Style, Cabernet Sauvignon