Mourvedre

Species: 

• Vitis vinifera

Type:

• Noir

Origin:

• Spain. Believed to be indigenous to the Valencian town of Sagunto.

Parents:

• Unconfirmed.  DNA evidence suggests a relationship with Graciano.

Principal Regions:

• Spain, Southern France, California, South Australia

Viticulture:

• Small, thick-skinned berries
• Late-budding, late-ripening
• Prefers clay or calcareous soils
• Susceptible to drought
• Resistant to Botrytis/Bunch rot
• Vines typically take several years (5+) before producing quality fruit

Sensory Characteristics:

• Aroma/Flavors – Black fruit (blackberry, black raspberry, black cherry), blue fruit (blueberry, plum, prune), red fruit (red plum, red cherry)
• Acidity – Medium to medium+
• Tannins –Medium+ to high

Food Pairings:

• BBQ, smoked meats

History:

• The name is probably derived from “monasterio” (monastery). This could indicate that the variety was first cultivated and spread by monks.
• The variety was first mentioned in 1381 in Empordà (Catalonia) by the monk Francisc Eiximenis (1340-1409) along with Bobal as the most important varieties in Valencia.
• Hard hit by phylloxera in the 1880, largely eradicated from some vineyards.

Notes:

• The “M” in a GSM.
• Still grown in the Bandol region, which has sandy soils that are more resistant to phylloxera.
• Traditionally used for black syrups sold as Monastrell Dulce or Fondillón.
• Can demonstrate strong reductive tendencies (a propensity to produce the rather off-putting odor of bad eggs if it is not exposed to enough oxygen during winemaking).
• Common variety used in Southern Rhone Valley blends.
• Regular component in Cotes du Rhone and Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
• Commonly blended with Carignan and Cinsault.
• Also used to make rose and port-style fortified wines.
• High tannins earned the grape the French nickname Etrangle-Chien (the dog strangler).

Other names:

Alcallata, Alcayata, Alicante, Arach Sap, Balsac, Balthazar, Balza Noir, Balzac, Balzac Noir, Balzar, Beausset, Benada, Benadu, Beni Carlo, Berardi, Bernardi, Bod, Bon Avis, Bonavis, Buona Vise, Casca, Catalan, Cayata, Caymilari Sarda, Charmet, Charnet, Churret, Clairette Noir, Clairette Noire, Corsikaner, Damas Noir, De Reyno, Del Reino, Del Reyno, Drug, English Colossal, Espagne, Espagnen, Espar, Esparte, Estrangle Chien, Estranglechien, Etrangle Chien, Etranglechien, Flouron, Flourous, Flouroux, Garruch, Garrut, Garruts, Gayata, Gayata Tinta, Giro Alacant, Gros Mourvede, Kaldaretta, Karis, Mando, Manechal, Maneschaou, Marseillais, Mataro, Maurostel, Mechin, Merle D’espagne, Molverde, Molverdes, Monastel, Monaster, Monastre, Monastrel, Monastrell Garrut, Monastrell Menudo, Monastrell Verdadero, Monestel, Monistrellen, Morastel, Morastell, Morestel, Morrastel, Morrastrell, Morrstel, Morvede, Morves, Mourostel, Mourvede, Mourvedon, Mourvedre, Mourvedre Famellestadt, Mourvegne, Mourvegue, Mourves, Mourveze, Mourviedre, Mouvedre Famellestadt, Murvedr Espar, Murvedro, Murviedro, Negre, Negre Trinchiera, Negrette, Negria, Negron, Neyron, Piemontais, Pinot Fleri, Plant De Ledenon, Plant De Saint Gilles, Plant De St Grilles, Reina, Ros, Rossola Nera, Rossolo Nera, Spar, Tinta, Tintilla, Tintillo, Tintillo De Luxar, Tinto, Tire Droit, Torrentes, Trinchiera, Uva Tinta, Valcarcelia, Verema, Veremeta, Vereneta