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Wines like Petit Verdot

A late-ripening Bordeaux variety used in small proportions for colour, tannin and violet aromatics. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Petit Verdot?

Optional — the results below already work without it. But “I like Malbec” is at least four different preferences wearing one name, and saying which one you mean changes the answer substantially. Only qualities this wine actually has are offered.

I like…

The firm, grippy structure How full and weighty it is The floral character

But it’s a bit…

too drying or too tannic too heavy too oaky or woody too floral or soapy too peppery too austere

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What these words mean

The firm, grippy structure: High tannin — the drying grip on your gums, like over-brewed tea. It gives a red something to hold on to with rich food, and it is what lets a wine age.
How full and weighty it is: Body is how much the wine seems to fill your mouth — the difference between skimmed and whole milk. It comes mostly from alcohol and ripeness.
The vanilla and oak: Vanilla, toast, coconut, sweet spice, sometimes smoke. It comes from the barrel rather than the grape, which is why the same grape can taste completely different with and without it.
The floral character: Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.
The spice: Black pepper, clove, cinnamon. Some of it is the grape — the pepper in Syrah is a measured compound called rotundone — and some is the barrel.
That it is properly dry: No perceptible sugar at all. Almost all red wine is dry and a good deal of white wine is not, which is why this is a more useful thing to say about a white than about a red.

Looking for something moving away from too floral or soapy.

Based on what you said

Ranked against the qualities you named rather than against the wine as a whole. The directions below are refined the same way.

Syrah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Substantially less floral or soapy.

Cabernet Sauvignon

curated

Its blending partner, sharing structure, dark fruit and oak affinity.

Substantially less floral or soapy.

Grenache

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Substantially less floral or soapy.

Malbec

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Substantially less floral or soapy.

Tannat

curated

Both are exceptionally tannic French varieties that need food.

Substantially less floral or soapy.

Washington Syrah

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Substantially less floral or soapy.

Northern Rhône Syrah

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Substantially less floral or soapy.

Cahors

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Substantially less floral or soapy.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

Syrah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.

Cabernet Sauvignon

curated

Its blending partner, sharing structure, dark fruit and oak affinity.

Expect: Slightly less tannic and less floral, with cassis rather than violet.

Grenache

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.

Malbec

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.

Different grape, similar feel

Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.

Syrah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.

Grenache

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.

Malbec

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.

Washington Syrah

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less tannic and softer.

Change the structure

Same idea, different weight, grip or freshness.

Similar but lighter

Keeps the character but reduces weight, alcohol and density in the mouth.

Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.

Red Burgundy

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.

Pinot Meunier

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.

Similar but lower in alcohol

Holds the character and the weight where it can, and moves specifically on strength. Note that below about 11% the choices narrow sharply, and below 5% they are mostly a different category rather than a lighter version of the same one.

Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.

Red Burgundy

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.

Pinot Meunier

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from petit verdot.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.

Priorat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

McLaren Vale Shiraz scores closest to Petit Verdot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.

Toro

Toro scores closest to Petit Verdot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.

Similar but less tannic

For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.

Grenache

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.

Syrah

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from petit verdot.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.

Malbec

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more aromatic.

Similar but fresher

Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.

Red Burgundy

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.

Naoussa Xinomavro

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and earthier.

Xinomavro

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and earthier.

Oregon Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.

Similar but softer

Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from petit verdot.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.

Syrah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.

Grenache

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Sparkling Shiraz

Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Petit Verdot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.

Lambrusco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and lighter.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Petit Verdot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stiller.

Franciacorta

Franciacorta scores closest to Petit Verdot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.

Similar but sweeter

Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.

Sagrantino

Sagrantino scores closest to Petit Verdot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.

Dornfelder

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.

Port

Port scores closest to Petit Verdot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.

Pinotage

Pinotage scores closest to Petit Verdot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but less oaky

One of the commonest requests in wine. Strips oak influence while holding grape character and weight.

Jaen

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.

Pinot Meunier

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.

Cinsault

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.

Dornfelder

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from petit verdot.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.

Barossa Shiraz

Barossa Shiraz scores closest to Petit Verdot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.

Super Tuscan

Super Tuscan scores closest to Petit Verdot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.

Ribera del Duero

Ribera del Duero scores closest to Petit Verdot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.

Similar but more aromatic

More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.

Syrah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.

Similar but more restrained

For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.

Pinot Grigio

Pinot Grigio scores closest to Petit Verdot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.

Sémillon

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.

Pinot Blanc

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo scores closest to Petit Verdot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.

Similar but more floral

Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.

Malbec

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.

Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.

Gamay

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.

Cabernet Franc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.

Similar but less floral

Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.

Grenache

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.

Syrah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.

Malbec

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.

Northern Rhône Syrah

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more savoury.

Similar but more savoury

Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.

Cahors

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less spicy.

Syrah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.

Naoussa Xinomavro

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and earthier.

Xinomavro

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and earthier.

Similar but fruitier

More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.

Petite Sirah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.

Primitivo

Primitivo scores closest to Petit Verdot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.

Zinfandel

Zinfandel scores closest to Petit Verdot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.

Primitivo di Manduria

Primitivo di Manduria scores closest to Petit Verdot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, somewhere else

Holds the variety constant and changes the place, which is often a bigger change than swapping the grape.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from petit verdot.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from petit verdot.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.

Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend

Both are made from petit verdot.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

Both are made from petit verdot.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.

Same grape, cooler climate

Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from petit verdot.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.

Red Bordeaux

Both are made from petit verdot, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.

Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend

Both are made from petit verdot.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

Both are made from petit verdot.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.

Same grape, warmer climate

Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from petit verdot.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from petit verdot.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.

Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend

Both are made from petit verdot.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

Both are made from petit verdot.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.

Change the mood

Safer, stranger, cheaper or more serious.

A safe next step

Well-known wines that are widely available and unlikely to surprise anyone.

Syrah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.

Grenache

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.

Malbec

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.

Northern Rhône Syrah

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more savoury.

Something more adventurous

Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.

Tannat

curated

Both are exceptionally tannic French varieties that need food.

Expect: Even more tannic, and less floral.

Washington Syrah

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less tannic and softer.

Cahors

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less spicy.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.

A better-value alternative

Wines that occupy similar sensory territory from regions carrying less price premium. WineHQ does not hold live prices, so this reasons from regional reputation and demand rather than from a price feed — treat it as a lead, not a quote.

Washington Syrah

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less tannic and softer.

Cahors

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less spicy.

Tannat

curated

Both are exceptionally tannic French varieties that need food.

Expect: Even more tannic, and less floral.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.

A step up

The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.

Ribera del Duero

Ribera del Duero scores closest to Petit Verdot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.

Priorat

Priorat scores closest to Petit Verdot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.

Syrah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.

Amarone della Valpolicella

Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Petit Verdot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.

How these are chosen

Each suggestion is scored across sixteen taste dimensions, weighted so that structure matters more than flavour, and adjusted for whether the wine actually moves in the direction you asked for. Curated links from an editor carry extra weight — but only when the editor tagged them for this direction. Nothing here is a black box; see the taste model for the full method.