April 18, 2025: My Favorite Wine (at the moment)
A guest post by our great team member, Dana!
In the tasting room we are often asked which wine is our favorite, and my lovely co- workers answer elegantly, “they are all my favorite!” However, I do show favoritism. I have been at Kalasi Cellars for a short time, but during that time one wine has continued to capture my heart, Petit Verdot. This varietal has lovingly been referred to as “the little grape that could.”
Prior to pouring wine for Kalasi Cellars I did not have exposure to this intriguing grape varietal. Petit Verdot literally translates to mean “little green one” or “little greenling.” Its history is long and somewhat troubled. Its roots trace back to the Bordeaux region of France and was thought to first be planted and cultivated by the ancient Romans. In its early years in Bordeaux the grape was referred to as the “hidden gem,” being used as a robust blending component in Bordeaux wines. With its thick skins, fragrant nose, firm tannins and garnet hues, why wouldn’t it be added to Bordeaux blend wines? Petit Verdot can be so aromatic that it is often used in small quantities, only 10-15% for fear that it could dominate other varietals in a blend.
Petit Verdot ripens rather late in the cooler climates of France, struggling to keep up with other varietals, making it a burden to winemakers in Bordeaux, who then all but stopped using it. Much of the Petit Verdot plantings were uprooted beginning in the 1960s and 1970s. However, winemakers in warmer climates saw potential in this little grape and gave it a chance to shine once it was exposed to more sunlight and warmer temperatures. It is now grown in Australia, South America, Argentina, Chile and the United States being used for both blends and single varietal wines.
Would you like to know more about Petit Verdot? We invite you to visit the Kalasi Cellars tasting room and get to know the beautifully crafted single varietal Petit Verdot wine made by our very own Nikhila Narra Davis! Our Estate Grown 2021 Petit Verdot is a rich and peppery wine expressing a soft, velvety violet palate with notes of dark fruits, like blackberry and bramble. Food pairings include grilled meats, hearty stews, short ribs and even spicy cuisine.
As new wines are released and others age, my favoritism will most likely be swayed, however Petit Verdot has enchanted my palate and will forever be a favorite for me.
Wineinsiders.com
“Petit Verdot: The Little Grape that Could”
Firstleaf.com
“History of Petit Verdot”
Winetourism.com
“Interesting Facts About Petit Verdot”
