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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.
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 keeping the full body and weight, while moving away from too floral or soapy, too heavy, too oaky or woody and too austere.
- You said you like the full body and weight and that it is too heavy. Both are about body, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
- You said you like the full body and weight and that it is too heavy. Both are about alcohol, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
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.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- A little less heavy.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less austere.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the full body and weight.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less austere.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the full body and weight.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less austere.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- A little less heavy.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less austere.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the full body and weight.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less austere.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- A little less heavy.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less austere.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
- About as floral or soapy as the wine you started from.
- A little less heavy.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less austere.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- A little less heavy.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less austere.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Rondo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
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.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Petit Verdot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Primitivo di Manduria
Primitivo di Manduria scores closest to Petit Verdot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Loire Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Rosso di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Etna Rosso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Vouvray
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 spicy.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Sparkling Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
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.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Petit Verdot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Pinotage
Pinotage scores closest to Petit Verdot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from petit verdot.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Rioja
Rioja scores closest to Petit Verdot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Petit Verdot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more floral.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Petit Verdot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more floral.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Petit Verdot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more floral.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Petit Verdot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fuller and richer.
Négrette
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and drier.
Uco Valley Malbec
Uco Valley Malbec scores closest to Petit Verdot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and drier.
Frappato
Frappato scores closest to Petit Verdot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Petit Verdot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Tinto Cão
Tinto Cão scores closest to Petit Verdot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Cahors
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Carignan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Etna Rosso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Petit Verdot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Petit Verdot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Primitivo
Primitivo scores closest to Petit Verdot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Primitivo di Manduria
Primitivo di Manduria scores closest to Petit Verdot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
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.
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from petit verdot.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from petit verdot.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from petit verdot.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
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.
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from petit verdot.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from petit verdot.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from petit verdot.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from petit verdot, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
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 drier, and fuller and richer.
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from petit verdot.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from petit verdot.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from petit verdot.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
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.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
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.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
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.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Petit Verdot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from petit verdot, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
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.