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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 keeping the floral, perfumed side, while moving away from too heavy, too floral or soapy and too drying or too tannic.

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.

Cabernet Sauvignon

curated

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

Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
A little less heavy.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Malbec

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

Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
A little less heavy.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

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.
A little less heavy.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

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.
A little less heavy.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Washington Syrah

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

Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
A little less heavy.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Syrah

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

Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
A little less heavy.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Cabernet Franc

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 heavy.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

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 heavy.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

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

curated

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

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

Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more aromatic.

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 stronger and warmer, 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 stronger and warmer, and earthier.

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 stronger and warmer, and more aromatic.

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 stronger and warmer, 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 stronger and warmer, and earthier.

Washington Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and earthier.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 lighter, and less tannic and softer.

Loire 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 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 fuller and richer, and less tannic and softer.

Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more aromatic.

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 stronger and warmer, and earthier.

Washington Syrah

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

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.

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 stronger and warmer, and earthier.

Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more aromatic.

Washington Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and earthier.

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 less floral.

Similar but fresher

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

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.

Red Burgundy

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.

Etna Rosso

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stronger and warmer.

Nerello Mascalese

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stronger and warmer.

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 more aromatic.

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 less floral.

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less tannic and softer.

Mourvèdre

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 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 less tannic and softer.

Lambrusco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and stronger and warmer.

Similar but sweeter

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

Touriga Franca

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

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

Lambrusco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Dornfelder

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sparkling Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Dornfelder

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Canaiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Graciano

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

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

Mondeuse Noire

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

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

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 less floral, and stronger and warmer.

Rioja

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

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

Tempranillo

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

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

Rioja Reserva

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

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

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 tannic and structured, and more floral.

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more floral.

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more floral.

Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and softer and rounder.

Similar but more restrained

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

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 stronger and warmer, and more aromatic.

Cahors

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 more aromatic.

Washington Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more aromatic.

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 more floral

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

Uco Valley Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Négrette

Both come from the same country.

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

Frappato

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

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

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.

Similar but less floral

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

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 stronger and warmer.

Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more aromatic.

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 stronger and warmer, 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 stronger and warmer, and earthier.

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 stronger and warmer, and earthier.

Pinot Noir

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.

Red Burgundy

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.

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 stronger and warmer, and earthier.

Similar but fruitier

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Zinfandel

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

California Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

California Rhône blend

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 less floral, and stronger and warmer.

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 less floral, and stronger and warmer.

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 less floral, and stronger and warmer.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from petit verdot.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

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 less floral, and stronger and warmer.

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 less floral, and stronger and warmer.

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 less floral, and stronger and warmer.

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 less floral, and stronger and warmer.

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 fuller and richer, and less floral.

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 less floral, and stronger and warmer.

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 less floral, and stronger and warmer.

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 less floral, and stronger and warmer.

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 stronger and warmer, and more aromatic.

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 stronger and warmer, and earthier.

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 less floral.

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.

Cahors

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.

Washington Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and earthier.

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.

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.

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.

Cahors

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.

Washington Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and earthier.

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.

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.

A step up

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

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 stronger and warmer, and earthier.

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 less floral.

Pinot Noir

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.

Red Burgundy

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.

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.