Every grape has its flavour profile, its personality that it takes with it wherever it is planted round the world where it will also take on the influence of the local environment and wine making.
In the classic region of Bordeaux, the main grapes of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot all have their part to play in the final blend with Malbec and Petit Verdot making a very occasional guest appearance in the mix.
It’s always interesting to see these grapes outside of their homeland so that’s where I’m taking you today with my suggestions.
On a trip to Bordeaux, I was given the opportunity to create my own blend and included 5% of Petit Verdot in the mix just because I like it for its perfume!
Lately, I’ve come across a couple of single varietal Petit Verdot that have made me wonder why you don’t see it alone more often. It is a late ripening variety so needs the right site to max its potential.
Macedonia is a wine producing country where I am just starting to scratch the surface and the Stobi Winery Petit Verdot Barrique 2011 is as good a place as any to begin – herbaceous and dark berry fruited with balanced oak.
Arriving soon, distributed by Wine Importers, RRP £15.49.
White Hall Vineyards Petit Verdot 2010 hails from Monticello, an American Viticultural Area on the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia (I find it hard to write that without singing that Laurel and Hardy song in my head).
It is lovely – juicy and ripe with ripe tannins, cherry and berry flavours and so very well balanced. £22, www.thewinesociety.com
Whilst my experience of Virginian Wine is limited, I’m keen to try more and can also recommend Barboursville Vineyards Cabernet Franc Reserve 2010 with its red berry and currant scents full bodied structure, soft tannins and blueberry fruit. The Oxford Wine Company, £19.95.
Cabernet Franc is another of those Bordeaux grapes that I’d like to see more of around the world solo.
Whilst I’m waving the American wine flag, head to Washington State for Chateau Ste Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 for it’s subtle oak, spice and blackcurrant notes and full bodied, well balanced dark berry flavours.
£16.49, Fountainhall Wines Aberdeen.
Carmenere is another grape with Bordeaux heritage although plantings there now are tiny.
Over recent years it has become the signature red grape of Chile. Originally Carmenere was confused with Merlot as they look quite similar but Carmenere needs to hang around on the vine two or three weeks longer to get fully ripe.
Anakena Tama Vineyard Selection Carmenere 2011, Cachapol Valley Chile is all about blueberries and spice with juicy fruit and soft tannin. Save £1.50, on offer at £9.49, Fountainhall Wines Aberdeen.
Casa Lapostolle Cuvee Alexandre Organic Carmenere 2011 Colchagua Valley, Chile has a lovely fragrant blackcurrant intensity with leafy hints and juicy dark berry flavours. Distributed by Wine Importers, RRP £11.49.
In France, Malbec is better known in the south-west of the country especially for the wines of Cahors rather than its original Bordeaux home.
As Carmenere has become the signature red of Chile so Malbec has become the signature red grape of Argentina where its plum and bramble characters can shine. Try Tesco Finest Argentinian Malbec 2012 and Vinalba Reservado Malbec 2012 Majestic Wines, £11.99 (Pick and mix buy 2 £7.99).
In Bordeaux, blends are to the fore and the attributes of the ‘Bordeaux blend’ also work well across the New World countries.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot make up the mix in Iona ‘One Man Band’ 2008, Western Cape South Africa.
The result is perfumed and floral with wisps of wood smoke with complex rich fruit and vanilla notes. RRP £22.49, Oban Whisky and Fine Wines, Cornelius Beer and Wine Edinburgh.
Carol Brown is an Aberdeen based member of the Association of Wine Educators and the Circle of Wine Writers. Visit www.wineuncorkededucation.co.uk