If you like this, try…
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.
Refine
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 floral, perfumed side, while moving away from too floral or soapy.
- You said you like the floral, perfumed side and that it is too floral or soapy. Both are about floral character, 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.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Washington Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- 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.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Cahors
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Jaen
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less tannic and softer.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from petit verdot.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Douro red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and earthier.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more aromatic.
Washington Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, 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.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less tannic and softer.
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.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more 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.
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.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and lighter.
Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Petit Verdot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Petit Verdot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stiller.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and lighter.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and sweeter.
Sagrantino
Sagrantino scores closest to Petit Verdot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
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.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
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.
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 more aromatic, and earthier.
Washington Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and earthier.
Cahors
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and earthier.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more aromatic.
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 sweeter.
Uco Valley Malbec
Uco Valley Malbec scores closest to Petit Verdot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less spicy.
Négrette
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less tannic and softer.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
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.
Jaen
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.
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.
Jaen
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.
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.
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 spicier.
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.
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.
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.
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.