Small Green One
According to some sources, Petit Verdot (note correct spelling, despite spellings to the contrary on this very site) literally means "small green one" in the original French. Petit Verdot is one of the 5 official red "Bordeaux" varietals, and is usually only present in very small proportions in red Bordeaux wines (which can contain a blend of any of the 5 varietals - the others are Cab Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec).
The reason for this may be connected to the name given to this grape, which is variously described as tannic, musky, spicy, and acidic. In fact, in Bordeaux, the Petit Verdot grapes are the latest to ripen, and often do not ripen at all - it is said that they only ripen twice in 10 years. If this is the case, then indeed for 8 years out of every 10 the Petit Verdot grapes would indeed be "small green ones" - due to the lack of ripeness the grapes would probably be green and acidic, and perhaps small.
Ripeness is not going to be a problem in California - we tasted some delicious 100% Petit Verdot wine made from a neighbor's Vineyard just a couple of miles along the dirt road from here. Around 5% of our Twin Vines block is planted to Petit Verdot. This varietal seems to push shoots sooner than Cab Sauvignon, so it will be interesting to compare and contrast its ripening characteristics compared to Cab S.
Steve Wetherill
Escafeld Vineyards
Jolon, CA
The reason for this may be connected to the name given to this grape, which is variously described as tannic, musky, spicy, and acidic. In fact, in Bordeaux, the Petit Verdot grapes are the latest to ripen, and often do not ripen at all - it is said that they only ripen twice in 10 years. If this is the case, then indeed for 8 years out of every 10 the Petit Verdot grapes would indeed be "small green ones" - due to the lack of ripeness the grapes would probably be green and acidic, and perhaps small.
Ripeness is not going to be a problem in California - we tasted some delicious 100% Petit Verdot wine made from a neighbor's Vineyard just a couple of miles along the dirt road from here. Around 5% of our Twin Vines block is planted to Petit Verdot. This varietal seems to push shoots sooner than Cab Sauvignon, so it will be interesting to compare and contrast its ripening characteristics compared to Cab S.
Steve Wetherill
Escafeld Vineyards
Jolon, CA
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