Mourvèdre
Also known as Monastrell, Mataro
Probably Valencia, Spain
A late-ripening, heat-loving red, tannic and gamey, the backbone of Bandol and of Spain's Jumilla, and the M of the classic GSM blend.
Sensory profile
Characteristics
Flavor & aroma
At a glance
Production facts
Prevalence
Widely planted
Climate
Warm climate
Ripening
Late season
Wine styles
Still
Where it's grown
Geography
Shaded areas are the state, province or département(s) containing each region, so they run wider than the appellations themselves.
France
Bandol (Provence)
Bandol reds are built on Mourvèdre: dark, tannic and long-lived.
Spain
Jumilla (Murcia)
As Monastrell, the leading grape, for ripe, powerful reds.
France
Southern Rhône
The third partner in Grenache-Syrah-Mourvèdre blends, adding structure.
Background
Origin & History
Mourvèdre is thought to come from the Valencia area of eastern Spain, where it is called Monastrell; the name Mourvèdre may come from Murviedro, the old name of Sagunto. It needs a great deal of heat to ripen, and gives dark, tannic, meaty wines that age well.
In Bandol, on Provence's coast, it must make up at least half of the red wines, and in the southern Rhône it is the third part of Grenache-Syrah-Mourvèdre blends. In Spain it is the main grape of Jumilla, and in Australia it is called Mataro.
Lineage
Family tree
Parentage not recorded — Mourvèdre is an old variety of unknown origin.
No crossings involving Mourvèdre are documented in the collection yet.