Mourvèdre

A classic red grape variety, that also goes by the name of Monastrell (Spain) and Mataro (Australia and California). Mourvèdre needs warm to hot climates in order to thrive and reach full ripeness. Contributing wonderful depth of colour, prominent tannins, warming alcohol and sumptuous black fruit character (notes of blackberries, blueberries and violets), this variety is used to produce both single varietal wines as well as blends. Key growing areas include Spain, France, and the United States.

Look out for the bold, concentrated reds from Bodegas El Nido. Hailing from Jumilla, Spain, ancient Monastrell plantings are used to produce powerful red blends together with Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Delve into the meaty, full-bodied Mourvèdre expressions from the French Languedoc-Roussillon region or the heady Southern Rhône blends of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.. On the Californian wine scene, Mourvèdre is a key variety for the ‘Rhone Rangers’, creating wonderfully savoury wines together with tiny amounts of Syrah. Mourvèdre is key to ‘GSM’ blends, together with Syrah and Grenache in Australia. In the red and rosé Bandol wines of Provence, Mourvèdre stands sublime as a single varietal in wines such as the exquisite offerings from Domaine Tempier and Domaines Ott. Happy exploring!