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.

← Back to Petit Verdot

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.

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 firm tannic structure and the full body and weight, while moving away from too peppery, too drying or too tannic and too floral or soapy.

You said you like the firm tannic structure and that it is too drying or too tannic. Both are about tannin, 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 some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Alicante Bouschet

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

Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Keeps the full body and weight.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Tannat

curated

Both are exceptionally tannic French varieties that need food.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Keeps the full body and weight.
Substantially less peppery.
About as drying or too tannic as the wine you started from.
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 firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Keeps the full body and weight.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend

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

Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

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

Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
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.

Alicante Bouschet

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

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

Tannat

curated

Both are exceptionally tannic French varieties that need food.

Expect: Even more tannic, and less floral.

Cahors

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Alicante Bouschet

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

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

Cahors

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

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

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tannat

curated

Both are exceptionally tannic French varieties that need food.

Expect: Even more tannic, and less floral.

Change the structure

Same idea, different weight, grip or freshness.

Similar but lighter

Keeps the character but reduces weight, alcohol and density in the mouth.

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

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 lighter, and less floral.

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 lighter, and less floral.

Cahors

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

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

Similar but 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.

Fer Servadou

Both come from the same country.

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

Cabernet Franc

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Loire Cabernet Franc

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir) scores closest to Petit Verdot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

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.

Napa Valley 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 spicier.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

Barossa Shiraz

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

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

Toro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but less tannic

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

Napa Valley 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 spicier.

Alicante Bouschet

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

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

Barossa Shiraz

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

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

Similar but fresher

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

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Refosco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rosso di Montalcino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but softer

Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.

Napa Valley 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 spicier.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

Barossa Shiraz

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

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

Alicante Bouschet

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

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

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 lighter.

Lambrusco

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Alicante Bouschet

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vin Doux Naturel

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.

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.

Bobal

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Refosco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Corvinone

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Napa Valley 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 spicier.

Barossa Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Super Tuscan

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

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

Similar but more aromatic

More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and spicier.

Similar but more restrained

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

Alicante Bouschet

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

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

Cahors

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

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

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 lighter.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 lighter.

Touriga Nacional

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

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

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 lighter, and spicier.

Similar but less floral

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

Alicante Bouschet

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 lighter.

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 lighter.

Cahors

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

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

Similar but 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 lighter, and less spicy.

Chianti Classico Riserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Carignan

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

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

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 lighter.

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 lighter.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Primitivo

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, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 lighter.

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 lighter.

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 lighter.

Napa Valley 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 spicier.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

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 lighter.

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 lighter.

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 lighter.

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 lighter.

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

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

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

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 lighter, and less floral.

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 lighter, and less floral.

Change the mood

Safer, stranger, cheaper or more serious.

A safe next step

Well-known wines that are widely available and unlikely to surprise anyone.

Napa Valley 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 spicier.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Super Tuscan

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

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

Ribera del Duero

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Tannat

curated

Both are exceptionally tannic French varieties that need food.

Expect: Even more tannic, and less floral.

Alicante Bouschet

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

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

Cahors

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

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

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 lighter.

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.

Alicante Bouschet

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

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

Cahors

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

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

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 lighter.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

A step up

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

Ribera del Duero

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

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

Priorat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

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

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.