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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 moving away from too heavy.
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.
Cabernet Sauvignon
curatedIts blending partner, sharing structure, dark fruit and oak affinity.
- A little less heavy.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less heavy.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less heavy.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less heavy.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less heavy.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less heavy.
Mondeuse Noire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less heavy.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less heavy.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Cabernet Sauvignon
curatedIts blending partner, sharing structure, dark fruit and oak affinity.
Expect: Slightly less tannic and less floral, with cassis rather than violet.
Pinot Noir
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.
Cru Beaujolais
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.
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.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Pinot Noir
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.
Cru Beaujolais
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.
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.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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
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.
Cru Beaujolais
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.
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.
Cabernet Franc
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.
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.
Cru Beaujolais
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.
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.
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.
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from petit verdot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from petit verdot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from petit verdot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.
Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and earthier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Cru Beaujolais
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.
Pinot Noir
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.
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.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
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.
Mondeuse Noire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Loire Cabernet Franc
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.
Brunello di Montalcino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and earthier.
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 stronger and warmer, and less tannic and softer.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, 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 stronger and warmer, and earthier.
Mourvèdre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and earthier.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stiller.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stiller.
Franciacorta
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 lighter, and more sparkling.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, 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.
Mondeuse Noire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Fer Servadou
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more herbal and green.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Trousseau
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.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more aromatic.
Barolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more aromatic.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more aromatic.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
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 lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Pinot Blanc
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.
Franken Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Uco Valley Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less spicy.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stronger and warmer.
Frappato
Frappato scores closest to Petit Verdot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Mondeuse Noire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Fer Servadou
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Trousseau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Pinot Noir
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.
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.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from petit verdot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.
Barolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more aromatic.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less tannic and softer.
California Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less tannic and softer.
Barbera d’Alba
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less tannic and softer.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, 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.
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from petit verdot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from petit verdot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from petit verdot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, 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.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from petit verdot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and softer and rounder.
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from petit verdot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and softer and rounder.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from petit verdot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and softer and rounder.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from petit verdot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, 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.
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from petit verdot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from petit verdot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from petit verdot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from petit verdot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
Pinot Noir
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.
Cru Beaujolais
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.
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.
Cabernet Franc
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.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Mondeuse Noire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Fer Servadou
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
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.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Mondeuse Noire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Fer Servadou
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
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.
Pinot Noir
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.
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.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from petit verdot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.
Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, 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.