Wines
Petit Verdot
Wine style and varietal guide
Reviewed by the WhatDrink Editorial TeamSuggest a correction
- Red
- Red • Dry
- 13–15% ABV
- Full body
- Dry sweetness
- medium acidity
Is this for me?
Choose this if…
- ✓You prefer dry, crisp wines without residual sweetness.
- ✓You enjoy firm tannins and structured red wines.
- ✓You want a full-bodied, rich wine to pair with hearty food.
Skip if…
- ✗You prefer sweeter or off-dry wines.
- ✗You prefer smooth, low-tannin or white wines.
- ✗You prefer lighter, more delicate wine styles.
At a Glance
13–15%ABV
DrySweetness
mediumAcidity
HighTannin
FullBody
17°CServe
Nutrition values are style-level estimates. Actual values vary by producer and serving size. How we calculate this →
On this page
What is Petit Verdot?
A bold, full-bodied red wine with intense dark fruit flavors, firm tannins, and high color intensity. Notes of violet, blackberry, blueberry, and earthy undertones.
Taste profile
Dry sweetnessmedium acidityHigh tanninsFull bodyBlack FruitFloralFull BodiedTannic
Sensory profile
BodyLight – Full
DrynessSweet – Bone dry
TanninSoft – Grippy
AcidityFlat – Crisp
FruitinessEarthy – Fruity
BoldnessDelicate – Bold
Beginner-friendlyAcquired taste – Easy intro
- Style: Red
- ABV range: 13–15%
- Full body
- Dry sweetness
- Body
- Full
- Sweetness
- Dry
- Acidity
- medium
- Tannin
- High
- Black Fruit · high intensity — Petit Verdot commonly shows intense dark fruit character.
- Floral · medium intensity — Petit Verdot can show violet-like floral notes.
- Full Bodied · medium intensity — Petit Verdot is commonly full-bodied.
- Tannic · high intensity — Petit Verdot is known for firm tannins.
Based on structured style profile and canonical flavor relationships.
Grape & region
- Grape varieties
- Petit Verdot
- Region(s)
- Bordeaux, Australia, California, Argentina
- Country
- France / global
- Sweetness
- Dry
- Skin contact
- Extended red-wine skin contact
Principal wine regions
A principal grape in Bordeaux, California — explore the regions known for it.
How it’s made
- Method
- Deep red wine made from Petit Verdot grapes, fermented on skins for intense colour and firm tannin; often used in blends but also made varietally.
How to serve
- Serving temperature
- 17°C
- Glassware
- Large Bordeaux glass
When to serve
DinnerSavoury foodRed meatAged cheeseRed
Dietary
How Petit Verdot fits common dietary preferences (general guidance — always check the specific producer).
- Vegetarian
- Gluten-Free
Also known as
Petit Verdot (common_name)
Alternatives to try
Reviewed style alternatives
- AglianicoBoth red styles; similar sweetness (dry); full body.
- Alicante BouschetBoth red styles; similar sweetness (dry); full body.
- LagreinBoth red styles; similar sweetness (dry); full body.
- PrioratBoth red styles; similar sweetness (dry); full body.
- TannatBoth red styles; similar sweetness (dry); full body.
Style alternatives preserve drink-family context but can change sweetness, acidity, bitterness, body, aroma or alcohol range.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Petit Verdot?
- A bold, full-bodied red wine with intense dark fruit flavors, firm tannins, and high color intensity. Notes of violet, blackberry, blueberry, and earthy undertones.
- What does Petit Verdot taste like?
- Petit Verdot is often described as Black Fruit, Floral, Full Bodied, Tannic. Flavour intensity varies by region, producer and vintage.
- What foods pair with Petit Verdot?
- Petit Verdot pairs well with Charcuterie, Cheese Board, Roast Meat, Steak. Food pairing suggestions are based on complementary flavour profiles.
- How strong is Petit Verdot?
- Petit Verdot typically has an ABV of 13–15%. Strength varies by producer and vintage.
- When should I drink Petit Verdot?
- Petit Verdot works well as an aperitif, with a meal, or as a standalone sipping wine. The ideal occasion depends on the body and sweetness level — lighter styles suit casual dining while fuller-bodied wines complement heartier dishes.
- What wines are similar to Petit Verdot?
- If you enjoy Petit Verdot, explore other wine styles with a similar body and flavour profile using the sensory bars as a guide. Wines with matching acidity and tannin scores will feel closest in character.
- Does Petit Verdot improve with age?
- Cellaring potential for Petit Verdot depends on the producer, vintage and storage conditions. Most everyday expressions are best enjoyed within 3–5 years of release. Premium examples may benefit from longer ageing — check producer notes for guidance.
- What do the sensory profile dimensions mean?
- Sensory profile dimensions describe key flavour characteristics: Body (light to full), Dryness (sweet to bone dry), Acidity (flat to crisp), Tannin/Bitterness (soft to grippy), Fruitiness (subtle to prominent), Boldness (delicate to bold) and Beginner-Friendly (acquired taste to easy intro). Each scale helps you compare wine styles at a glance.
- How do I use the sensory profile to find wines I like?
- If you enjoy light, crisp wines look for Light Body with Crisp Acidity. For bold, rich wines choose Full Body with Grippy Tannin. Compare Petit Verdot with similar wine styles to find your next favourite.
Last updated
Wine style information is approximate and varies by producer, region, vintage and serving size.