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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

Clear all

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 and the firm tannic structure, while moving away from too heavy and 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.

Cabernet Sauvignon

curated

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

Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
A little less heavy.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Naoussa Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less heavy.
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.
Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
A little less heavy.
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.
Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
A little less heavy.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Nebbiolo

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

Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
A little less heavy.
About as floral or soapy as the wine you started from.

Barolo

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

Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
A little less heavy.
About as floral or soapy as the wine you started from.

Malbec

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

Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
A little less heavy.
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.

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.

Naoussa Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.

Cahors

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 stronger and warmer.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Cabernet Franc

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.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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.

Priorat

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

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

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 less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.

Toro

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

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

Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.

Similar but less tannic

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

Northern Rhône Syrah

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 stronger and warmer.

Syrah

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 stronger and warmer.

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.

Washington Syrah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.

Similar but fresher

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

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

Xinomavro

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

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

Nebbiolo

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

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

Barolo

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

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

Syrah

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 stronger and warmer.

Mourvèdre

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.

Toro

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

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

The sparkling version

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

Lambrusco

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

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

Sparkling Shiraz

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stiller.

Similar but sweeter

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

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Dornfelder

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Saperavi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pinotage

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.

Graciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 less tannic and softer.

Dornfelder

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cahors

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 stronger and warmer.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Pinotage

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rioja

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tempranillo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rioja Reserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 more floral, and stronger and warmer.

Barolo

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

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.

Similar but more restrained

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.

Cahors

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 stronger and warmer.

Similar but more floral

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

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 tannic and softer.

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 less tannic and softer.

Nebbiolo

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

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

Similar but less floral

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

Syrah

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.

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

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

Xinomavro

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

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

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 less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.

Similar but more savoury

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

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

Xinomavro

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

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

Barolo

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

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

Cahors

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 stronger and warmer.

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 fuller and richer, and less floral.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Petit Verdot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Zinfandel

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

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

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

Both are made from petit verdot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend

Both are made from petit verdot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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

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

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from petit verdot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

Both are made from petit verdot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend

Both are made from petit verdot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

Both are made from petit verdot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend

Both are made from petit verdot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

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 less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.

Nebbiolo

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

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

Barolo

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

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

Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.

Something more adventurous

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cahors

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 stronger and warmer.

Washington Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.

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.

Naoussa Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cahors

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 stronger and warmer.

Washington Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.

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 less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.

Nebbiolo

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

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

Barolo

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

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

Barbaresco

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

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

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.