Petit Verdot, first hit the statistical radar in 1999, when 110 ha/272 acres were bearing (and well over twice that were still to come into bearing). In the face of overall red wine surplus, the meteoric rate of new plantings slowed with the planted area standing at 1,215 ha/3,000 acres in 2012. It has been planted in many places, in the cooler regions as a blend component with Cabernet Sauvignon, as in the médoc, but its greatest success has come in the Riverland and Riverina. The warm climate guarantees its ripeness, and its strong colour, robust flavour, and substantial tannins result in wines with ample character, even when yields are high. Here it is typically presented as a single varietal wine, and enjoying much success. Riverland’s Kingston Estate is its key champion.
