Cathal McBride on wine: It’s time for petit verdot to step into the spotlight

Thick-skinned and late-ripening, petit verdot most likely originated in Bordeaux and is extensively used in blends to enrich cabernet and merlot

While petit verdot plantings have declined over the past 30 years or so, they are increasing again with varietals appearing in other parts of the south of France

Glenn Close, Mark Ruffalo, Amy Adams, Willem Dafoe, Ed Harris and Angela Lansbury walk into a wine bar. It might sound a bit random, but in fact there’s a viticultural punchline to this joke’s opening line. While these talented actors have 28 Academy Award nominations between them, most were in the supporting role category and they have never actually won.

So what do they order? If petit verdot was a thespian, it too would have ...