Maybe it’s because I recently moved from Washington where this grape is thriving but much to my delight, I’ve noticed more and more Mourvèdre being bottled as a single varietal. Mourvèdre is a thick skinned grape, moderately drought tolerant and requires a lot of sunshine to ripen which makes it perfect for eastern Washington and the Sierra Foothills of California – both places where it’s showing off proudly as a single varietal wine.
Mourvèdre is an old varietal and probably first became known in Spain as Monastrell. It gained popularity in France, particularly as Provence’s most noble wine, Bandol. It’s also used in the Southern Rhone wine, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, a blend of at least 13 different grapes and is used in both southern France and Australia to add structure to Grenache and Syrah blends. You may have heard of Mourvèdre referred to as Mataro in Australia (or California back in the day).
The beauty of the desert like sunny days of eastern Washington and parts of California let this grape express it’s complexity and richness giving way to bold blackberry, blueberry and plum fruit with a wonderful hit of freshly ground black pepper that is stunningly unique and enticing. There may also be nuances of lavender, sweet tobacco and cocoa. The Spanish Monastrell will show more roasted meat aromas. An added bonus to Spanish Monastrell, is it’s affordability.
Mourvèdre is a full-bodied wine with big tannins. For me, this is not a patio sipper. I’d pair Mourvèdre with a steak, bbq, or rich tomato based pasta in the middle of winter…or during one of those heavy rainfalls seasons many of us seem to experience now-a-days.
Mourvèdre/Monastrell To Look For ~
Tarima Hill Monastrell, Bodegas Volver, Alicante, SP $14
Terre Rouge Mourvédre, Sierra Foothills, CA $28
Syncline Mourvèdre, Columbia Valley, WA $30
Bunnell Family Cellar, Northridge Vineyard Mourvèdre, WA $36
Domaine Tempier Bandol, Provence, FR $40
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