Belle Vue is a winery located in the heart of Bordeaux, France that specializes in Petit Verdot wines. Founded by Florentin de Lignerac in the 19th century, the winery has been praised for its high-quality, full-bodied reds. Belle Vue's Petit Verdot wines are some of the most sought after in the region, and have been described as having “deeply colored wines with tannins that give structure and balance to any blend”.
At Belle Vue, they use traditional methods to create their wines. This includes handpicking grapes and fermenting them in small batches. After fermentation, each batch is carefully blended to create the perfect balance of flavor and complexity. The Petit Verdot grapes used by Belle Vue are especially unique because they are left on the vine longer than most other types of grape. This results in a deep color and complex flavors that make these wines distinct from any other.
The flavor profile of Belle Vue's Petit Verdot is dominated by black fruit flavors such as blackberry, blueberry and currant. Additionally, this wine has aromas of violet and hints of spice that add complexity to its alrady intense character. The tannins are strong yet smooth on the palate, making this a great wine for aging if you can keep your hands off it!
If you're looing for an extraordinary red wine experience then look no further than Belle Vue's Petit Verdot! With its intense fruit flavors, captivating aromas and lengthy finish – this wine will definitely make an impression on even the most seasoned oenophile. This is one Bordeaux wine you don't want to miss out on!
Uses of Petit Verdot
Petit Verdot is a full-bodied red wine grape used for blending in Bordeaux wines. It adds a deep color, tannin structure and floral aromas to the blend. Its high tannin content makes it an ideal addition for aging wines, as it helps them develop complexity and depth of flavor over time. The grape is also popular amog winemakers who want to emphasize the dark fruit and chocolate flavors of their red blends. Petit Verdot is often blended with other varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to create a well-balanced, complex and flavorful red blend.
Characteristics of Petit Verdot
Petit Verdot is a late ripening variety of red grape known for its thick-skinned berries and deep color. Its high tannin content gives it a strong structure, while its black fruit flavors and aromas of violet make it an ideal component in Bordeaux red blends. On the palate, Petit Verdot wines can display intense blackberry and plum flavors, with hints of tobacco and spice. This varietal often requires extended aging to reveal its best characteristics.
Drinking Petit Verdot
Petit Verdot is best enjoyed at a slightly cooler temperature than other red wines. Ideally it should be served at around 62-66°F (17-19°C). It's typically best to let the bottle breathe for 15-30 minutes before drinking, so that the aromas and flavors can fully develop. To get the most out of your Petit Verdot, use a large glass with a stem that alows you to swirl the wine and oxygenate it before taking a sip. Enjoy it on its own or with food – its intense flavors balance nicely with mushrooms, truffles, olives, eggplant, black beans, kidney beans and nuts. Aged and smoked cheeses also pair well with this full-bodied red.
The Origin of the Name ‘Petit Verdot'
Petit Verdot is so named because of its small, green berries that take longer to ripen than other grapes used in wine-making. This delayed ripening has caused many winemakers in France to move away from the varietal and replace it with Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The name Petit Verdot means “little green one” as a nod to this characteristic.
Pairing Petit Verdot with Food
Petit Verdot is a robust red wine with high tannins and an intense flavor profile. Its assertive character makes it an ideal match for full-flavored dishes, particularly those with rich meats. Consider pairing it with beef short ribs cooked in barbecue sauce, a classic lamb stew, or Mexican adobo. For something a bit more adventurous, try Petit Verdot with Chinese barbecue pork or even game meats such as wild boar or venison. Its bold character stands up to the heartier flavors, creating a balanced meal that pairs beautifully.
The Benefits of Drinking Petit Verdot
Petit Verdot is an expressive red wine that is best enjoyed within two to five years of the vintage, when it is at its peak flavor. At this time, you can expect the wine to show intense aromas and flavors of dark fruits such as blackberry and plum, with notes of leather, tobacco and spice. With age, the tannins will soften, allowing for a smoother texture and more balanced finish. For those who prefer a bolder style, this wine can develop futher complexity and depth over a period of up to ten years or more.
The Meaning of ‘Verdot' in French
Verdot is a French word derived from the word vert, which means “green” in French. It is thought to refer to the acidic, unripe flavors that the grape can have if it is not given enough time to fully ripen before harvest. This is why Verdot grapes are usually harvested later than other varieties, particularly in cooler climates.
Is Petite Petit Wine Sweet?
No, Petite Petit wine is not sweet. It is a robust, full-bodied red wine with intense black fruit and vanilla flavors that coat the palate. Its finish has a slightly dry quality, without any sweetness to it.
Understanding the Meaning of ‘Petit' in Wine
The word ‘petit' or ‘petite' in a wine's name typically indicates that the grapes used to make the wine have smaller berries than average. This can impart certain characteristics to the finished wine, such as a more intense flavor due to the greater skin-to-juice ratio, and higher tannin levels because of the higher concentration of skin. Petit wines can also have a more concentrated flavor and aroma, which oten manifest as notes of dark fruits or earthiness. These wines are often full-bodied and robust but tend to be less acidic than other varietal wines.
Chilling Petit Verdot: An Overview
No, Petit Verdot should not be chilled. It is best served at cool room temperature, around 16-18C. Chilling the wine wold mute its aromas and flavors, making it less enjoyable to drink. Additionally, cooling the wine could cause it to lose some of its body and texture. Therefore, it is recommended to serve Petit Verdot at a temperature closer to room temperature.
The Variety of Grape Known as Petit Verdot
Petit Verdot is a red grape variety native to the Bordeaux region of France. It is an important component of many classic Bordeaux blends, and has increasingly become a standalone varietal in recent times. Petit Verdot is known for its dark color, intense tannins and aromas of violets, blackberries, and black currants. Its flavor profile includes hints of tobacco, licorice, and tar. In blends, it adds structure and depth with moderate acidity levels and low yields. Petit Verdot ripens late in the season and has thick skins which makes it resistant to rot when grown in wetter climates. This grape is one of the five most widely accepted grapes used in Bordeaux red wine blends alongsde Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Carmenère.
Cellar Age of Petit Verdot
Petit Verdot is a full-bodied red wine with powerful tannins and high alcohol content, making it an ideal candidate for long-term cellaring. With careful storage, Petit Verdot can comfortably mature for periods of 10 years or more. As the tannins slowly soften over time, the wine will develop greater complexity and depth of flavor.
Conclusion
Belle Vue is a unique and special winery that produces small-batch wines usng traditional methods. Located in the heart of France's Bordeaux region, this family-run winery is run by the de la Tour du Pin family and specializes in Petit Verdot. The wine produced by Belle Vue displays a deep colour and intense flavours of black fruits with aromas of violet. This full-bodied red wine has a high tannin content and pairs well with strongly flavoured dishes such as mushrooms, truffles, black beans, kidney beans, olives, eggplant and nuts as well as aged cheeses such as cheddar, gruyere and gouda. It is also highly desired as a blending grape in Bordeaux blends because of its plentiful color and floral aromas. Belle Vue offers an excellent selection of wines to tantalize any palate.
