The regions in which it has enjoyed most success all have a warm, dry climate in common. Producers started experimenting with the variety in new environments, and is now being grown in Italy, Spain, Portugal, Chile and Argentina. The 1980s saw something of a renaissance for Petit Verdot, particularly in New World regions such as California and Australia. The thick skins and small berries make the variety particularly resistant to rot and disease. The variety is early budding in the growing season and therefore susceptible to wet or frosty spring weather, as well as late ripening, making it a liability in cool vintages. Petit Verdot vines have relatively weak shoots and canes, meaning that they require careful handling. The variety's declining popularity was not helped by the fact that it poses further problems in the vineyard beyond difficulties with ripening. ![]() Wine consumer preferences (particularly in the US) were changing, in favor of plump, fruity Merlot and regal, structured Cabernet Sauvignon. ![]() In Bordeaux, the variety's traditional home, many Petit Verdot vines were uprooted, to be replaced with more reliable, more fashionable varieties. The 1960s marked the beginning of a new chapter in Petit Verdot's history. They also have high tannin levels, thanks to the small berries creating a high ratio of skin and seeds to juice. Petit Verdot wines tend to have a dense, violet-black appearance due to the high levels of anthocyanins in the berry's thick skins. Therefore, in cool seasons Petit Verdot vines produce bunches speckled with green, unripened berries. Verdot roughly translates as "green one" and reflects the variety's propensity to under ripeness. NB La Bascula wines are available from john.hattersley wines who run regular wine tasting events.Petit Verdot has a less well known but larger-berried cousin, Gros Verdot. Terra Alta (7) Casta Diva Moscatel 2013 D.O. Terra Alta (6) No Stone Unturned Organic old vine Garnacha & Carinena 2012/13 D.O. Jumilla (5) Catalan Eagle Organic Garnacha/Carinena/Syrah 2014 D.O. Rioja (4) Turret Fields Monastrell & Syrah 2013/4, D.O. Rueda (3) The Charge Tempranillo & Granacha 2013 D.O.C. Rueda (2) Heights of the Charge Verdejo & Viura 2013/4 D.O. Wines presented: (1) Catalan Eagle Organic Garnacha Blanca & Vognier 2015 D.O. ![]() The tasting was followed by a Spanish-themed cold buffet evoking the flavours of Spain: paprika, garlic, sardines, chorizo, olives, serrano ham, oranges, almonds and lots more. Please note that MSRP may have changed since the date of our review. Their ethos is to have a balance between indigenous Spanish varieties and modern wine-making with small volumes producing high quality wines. Alcohol: 13.5 Top Rated for Petit Verdot TOP RATED FOR CATEGORY BEST BUYS FOR CATEGORY Yorkville Cellars 2016 Rennie Vineyard, Petit Verdot, Yorkville Highlands rating was calculated by to be 95 points out of 100 on. Master Winemaker Ed Adams presented 7 wines from his joint venture with South African winemaker Bruce Jack all of which were highly rated by the enthusiastic audience. Wines tasted: (1) Mateus Sparkling Brut Rose (2) 2015 Quinta de Azevedo, Vinho Verde (3) 2015 Quinta dos Carvalhais, Encruzado, Dao (4) 2015 Planalto, Douro Blanco, Casa Ferreirinha (5) 2014 Dusque de Viseu, Dao Tinto (6) 2014 Vinha Grande, Douro Tinto, Casa Ferreirinha (7) 2014 Herdade do Peso, Trinca Bolotas, Alentejo (8) Sandeman 10 Year Old Tawnt Port. ![]() Our buffet included some delicious Portuguese inspired twists. On this evening Charles presented a range of Portuguese wines. Recommended by Pierre Hourlier as a must-hear speaker, Charles also won the Louis Roederer International Wine Maker's Book Award in 2008 for "The Wine and Food Lover's Guide to Portugal". Charles' past careers as a tour guide, security guard, freelance cook, investment analyst and opera singer were, in his own words, "the perfect preparation for co-founding Britain’s second consumer wine magazine (Wine International) and the International Wine Challenge (the best wine competition in the world".
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