We are beaming with excitement!
Just last week our vineyard crew harvested a record number of grapes:
7.7 tons of Petit Verdot!
We are thrilled, and look forward to sharing this wine that boasts a gorgeous dark plum color as is typical of this Bordeaux blending variety.
Our Winemaker from Virginia Wineworks, Ben Jordan, shares,
“This year, we pushed the envelope and hung the grapes as long as possible to get optimum maturity. When we picked the grapes, we thought the flavors were just right and we were high-fiving each other when the skies opened and the rain poured out!
Now the PV is fermenting nicely. The flavors are already confirming that the wine is going to be something special.”
So, what is Petit Verdot? Translating to “little green,” petit verdot is a variety of grape that grows predominantly in the Bordeaux region of France.
The name refers to the difficult process winemakers have in growing and harvesting this grape. If the conditions aren’t perfect, the grape is small, green and seedless. The grape ripens later in the season than most, given it an increased chance of frost.
What makes our Petit Verdot so special is the favorable conditions Virginia has for growing this particular type of grape. The grape enjoys cooler temperatures, and ripens later than typical Bordeaux grapes. Long considered a mere blending grape in certain regions of France, Petit Verdot brings additional tannins, color and freshness, and a spicy kick when added to a blend. However, our Petit Verdot is becoming a popular varietal all on its own. Let’s just say, our Petit Verdot is certainly not afraid to show its face. Here at Pippin Hill, we’ve managed to get the deliciously ripened grape into a wine you won’t want to miss.
As for its flavors and aromas? Pippin HIll’s Petit Verdot greets you with sweet ripe mulberry notes and an elegant floral fragrance of white blossoms.
It is a dark, full-bodied wine, with higher tannins than other varieties on our menu.
It pairs delightfully with steak, lamb, duck, or other particularly rich dishes. Avoid pairing it with fish or cream based food, as they won’t bring out the full flavor of the wine. Spicy foods pair well with Petit Verdot and it’s perfect for a myriad of different hard and semi soft cheeses.
We look forward to sharing it with you in 2016!