Thursday Virtual Happy Hour: Petit Verdot

Petit Verdot is a red wine grape whose small, thick-skinned berries are valued for their depth of color. Traditionally, the variety played a small role in the classic blends of Bordeaux. However, varietal Petit Verdot has now appeared in many regions of southern Europe, the Americas and Australia.

Petit Verdot wines tend to have a dense, violet-black appearance due to the high levels of anthocyanins in the berry's thick skins. They also have high tannin levels, thanks to the small berries creating a high ratio of skin and seeds to juice.

The variety is early budding in the growing season and therefore susceptible to wet or frosty spring weather, as well as late ripening, making it a liability in cool vintages. The thick skins and small berries make the variety particularly resistant to rot and disease.

## We have a choice of videos to watch including:

1. https://youtu.be/0btunK5_Gq8?si=IeQu8U3bsyIh0Up- - Winecast: Petit Verdot - The Unknown Winecaster (7:21)
2. https://youtu.be/v8oHaaCkCEY?si=Ot6698oSSkLWAyCm - Five Fun Facts About Petit Verdot - Crush On This (4:28)
3. https://youtu.be/mKG8tdLoJgU?si=XU0shI401ePH_w8R - How to Pronounce Petit Verdot - Julien Miquel (2:05)

So, pick up a bottle and watch a couple of videos. Let us know what you’re drinking and eating, and, if possible, the region from which your wine comes. Do you have any comments (positive or negative) about the videos? And, as always, tell us what’s going on in your life - what's happening with you, how you're feeling about things, updates, successes, challenges - as much or as little as you’re willing to disclose. We are in this together. And - thank goodness - we have wine!

Cheers!!