Petit Verdot

The late-ripening Petit Verdot, native to the southwest of France, is considered a cornerstone of characterful cuvées. With its thick skin, it lends wines a deep, dark colour, a tightly woven tannin structure and a striking acidity. On the nose, it is spicy, characterised by dark forest berries, graphite and violets. While in the cooler Bordeaux region it usually only provides structure in small proportions, in the sun-drenched vineyard sites of Southern Europe it unfolds a fascinating depth that pairs outstandingly with braised meat.

How harmoniously the variety integrates is demonstrated by Col d'Orcia in Tuscany, where it ripens in the Nearco alongside Syrah and Merlot. In the Spanish Extremadura, the Habla winery harnesses its power: in the Esencia de Habla, Petit Verdot forms a dense, monumental cuvée of great longevity together with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.