Petit Verdot, although originating from the South West, is predominately used in Bordeaux nowadays, to bring spice to the wines, but only in small quantities, up to 6% (usually 2 to 3%). The grapes tendency to mature too late and today's demand for earlier maturing/new vintage wine has led to it being discarded by many vineyards. In the 1960s most of the Petit Verdot vines in Bordeaux were uprooted and replaced with ones that would be quicker to mature, Merlot and Cabernet-Sauvignon.

Petit Verdots name translated into French describes the grape when it is typically grown in the cool season - 'Small green one', but when Petit Verdot is grown in the warmer parts of France such as in the Languedoc there is no problem.