'Petite' wines defined

Buzz: When did they start making a special wine for little ladies?

Marnie: I've never heard of such a thing, Buzz. What do you mean?

Buzz: I saw a red wine at the state store called "Petite Sirah." My mom always told my sister she should shop in the petites section because she was so short, but I thought that was just for clothes.

Marnie: The answer is both yes and no, Buzz. Yes, we use the word "petite," which means small in French, to designate clothes made for ladies of smaller stature. But in the case of Petite Sirah, the term refers to very small grape berries.

Buzz: So the wine is a lightweight?

Marnie: Actually, small berries usually make very "big" wines, and Petite Sirah is no exception. For red wines, the color and flavor come from the skins of the grapes, not the flesh or the juice. In general, big berries are great for table grapes, but smaller berries are ideal for making red wine. The more dark purple skins are in the tank, the deeper in color a red wine will be. And since color compounds are also sources of flavor and antioxidant tannins, smaller berried grapevines like Petite Sirah make some pretty intense wine.

Buzz: Should I be looking for Petite Merlot too?

Marnie: No, Buzz, you'll only see the word on labels when "Petite" is part of the grape name. Petite Sirah is the name of a specific grape variety that is a descendant of the famous Syrah grape of the Rhône region, a cross of Syrah and an obscure grape called Peloursin. In some countries, it's called by its original name, Durif, named for the guy who discovered it. But mostly they call it Petite Sirah. California has more Petite Sirah planted than most regions, and they make excellent "big reds," well suited to colder weather.

Buzz: Hmmm. Instead of "petites," it sounds like they're in the "hefty babes" department.

Spellbound Petite Sirah

California

$14.99

PLCB Item No. 8576

When the weather turns colder, we tend to crave stronger, deeper and richer wines. Petite Sirah from California is an ideal choice for those who like powerhouse reds with concentrated flavor and jammy, dessertlike fruit character. This inky example is sourced mainly from Lodi in central California, where ample sunshine and warmth develop plenty of ripeness in the grapes. Loaded with black cherry and blueberry flavors, this wine packs a tasty punch without being overly heavy. It's rare to find red wines this intense with less than 14 percent alcohol, but that makes Spellbound an uncommonly balanced Petite Sirah. Try it with deeply colored foods with bold seasonings, such as venison or lamb topped with port wine or teriyaki glaze.