How to expand your red wine repertoire beyond cabs, pinots and merlots

For alternatives to cabernet, look to petit verdot. Traditionally a minor part of a Bordeaux blend, PV excels in Virginia, where it produces dark, jammy and brambly wines. Spain and Australia also produce some petit verdot, and we are likely to see some varietally labeled PV from Bordeaux as that region adapts to climate change. Carmenere from Chile and malbec from Argentina are also worthy Bordeaux alternatives. If your taste is solidly French, look to that country’s southwest and the inexpensive, rustic and savory wines of Gaillac and Irouléguy or French malbec from Cahors.