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WINE STYLE PROFILE
H
ow has a grape whose name
translates to “little green”
become an increasing pres-
ence in Maryland winemak-
ing? Petit Verdot, a grape that grows
reluctantly in multiple countries across
the world, seems to have found its home
in our state. As one of the five approved
grapes (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot,
Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit
Verdot) that can be used in Bordeaux
red wines, Petit Verdot – a relative of
Cabernet Sauvignon – has typically been
used only as a blending grape. Single
varietal, or majority blend, bottlings of
Petit Verdot have been relatively un-
common, until now.
Petit Verdot produces small berries
with thick skins; “little green” refers
to its late season ripening. According
to the Maryland Grape Growers
Association (MGGA), these qualities
give it higher acidity than Cabernet
Sauvignon, and it adds nice color and
complexity in blends. MGGA sees it
as “maybe the easiest of the Bordeaux
varieties [to grow] in the Mid-Atlantic
region.” Vineyard manager Ron Wates,
of Boordy Vineyards, likes to describe
the growing patterns of the grape as
“vigorous with a tendency to be rangy.”
Petit Verdot can produce intense, big
wines with dark berry and fruit flavors
and good structure. Because of this,
consider pairing Petit Verdot wines with
heartier foods like roasted or grilled
meats, hearty vegetables and cheeses.
The tannins in the wines also give them
the ability to age well.
In fact, two Petit Verdots won pres-
tigious awards in 2015: the 2013 Petit
Verdot from Big Cork Vineyards won
Best in Showat theMarylandGovernor’s
Cup competition, and Catoctin Breeze’s
2013 Petit Verdot “Adagio” won Best in
Class Red at the Maryland Winemaster’s
Choice competition.
You can find Petit Verdot around
the state on our Wine Trails, includ-
ing the Bordeleau NV “Lot Number 1”
on the Chesapeake Wine Trail; Port of
Leonardtown’s 2012 PV Reserve on the
Patuxent Wine Trail; Big Cork’s 2013
Petit Verdot on the Antietam Highlands
Wine Trail; Catoctin Breeze’s 2013
Adagio on the Frederick Wine Trail;
and Royal Rabbit’s “The Viscount” and
Boordy’s Landmark Reserve 2012 Blend
on the Piedmont Wine Trail. Plan your
itineraries now!
www.marylandwine. com/wine-trails.MWP
B Y J A N N A H OW L E Y
V
erdot
Petit
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M A R Y L A N D W I N E P R E S S