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History
Native to Spain, the Mourvèdre vine, or Monastrell as it is called there, is believed to have originated either near the town of Mourviedro in Valencia or Mataró in Cataluña. The variety is planted throughout southern Spain and France, where it has been present at least since the late 1500s. It has not been conclusively shown to be related to any other variety.
Growing
Mourvèdre is a vigorous, moderately productive vine which buds late and ripens late. It does best in cool clay soils and requires a warm climate and abundant sunshine to ripen. At less than full maturity Mourvèdre has no flavor but when overripe, it leans toward stewed flavors. The berries are fairly small and deep blue-violet in color, with extremely thick skins highly resistant to rot.
The fruit is markedly high in potential alcohol, acidity, color and tannin, making Mourvèdre an excellent contributor of structure and density in a blend. Extensively used in southern Spain in a variety of red blends, Mourvèdre is an especially good foil for Grenache Noir’s lush, low-acid, low-tannin fruit. In the southern Rhône Valley it is one of the primary red varieties used in the blend of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes-du-Rhône, Tavel, Bandol and other Rhône Côtes de Provence appellations. It seldom appears as a pure varietal wine.
Mourvèdre produces big, meaty, rustic wines high in alcohol, acidity and tannin, with only moderately fruity blackberry character. It is strongly marked by flavors and aromas of wild Provençal herbs, leather, mushrooms and barnyard which can develop surprising finesse and complexity after a few years in bottle. Also grown in California, Australia and South Africa.
Alternate Names
Mataró, Balzac, Esparte, Estrangle-Chien
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