Editing Petit Verdot (section)

{{Short description|Variety of grape}}
{{Infobox grape variety
| name          = Petit Verdot
| color         = Rouge
| image         = 01 Petit verdot.jpg
| caption       = Petit Verdot 
| species       = ''[[Vitis vinifera]]''
| also_called   = Verdot ([[#Synonyms|more]])
| origin        = South West [[France]]
| hazards       = <!-- Viticultural hazards     -->
| regions       = Bordeaux, Australia, Argentina, California, Virginia
}}

'''Petit Verdot''' is a variety of red [[wine grape]], principally used in classic [[Bordeaux wine|Bordeaux]] blends.{{Sfn|Robinson|2006}} It ripens much later than the other varieties in Bordeaux, often too late, so it fell out of favour in its home region. When it does ripen it adds tannin, colour and flavour, in small amounts, to the blend. Petit verdot has attracted attention among winemakers in the [[New World wine|New World]], where it ripens more reliably and has been made into single [[varietal]] wine. It is also useful in 'stiffening' the mid palate of [[Cabernet Sauvignon]] blends.

When young its aromas have been likened to [[banana]] and pencil shavings. Strong tones of [[viola (plant)|violet]] and leather develop as it matures.