Mourvèdre

Key Regions

Spain (particularly in the eastern peninsula where it is the main grape variety), France (southern Rhône Valley; Languedoc-Roussillon), Australia (the Barossa Valley) and California

Climate Suitability

This variety is most suited to warm/hot martime climates, which enable it to ripen completely. It has more trouble doing so in France, where the climate is cooler, and it is only really in the south of this country that the weather is warm enough for this vine's cultivation. If indeed the conditions are warm, this sturdy vine is capable of flourishing in a variety of soil types. In such conditions it is also usually able to withstand the threat of downy and powdery mildews, to which it is much more vulnerable in cooler climates.

Colour and Flavours

This vine produces striking deep red wines of great power. The flavours tend to vary considerably, depending on where the grapes are grown. However, they are characteristically coarse, earthy and gamey when young, and then mellow with age to develop flavours and aromas of spices, herbs and black fruits.

Synonyms

Monastrell and Morastell (Spain); Balzac, Espar, Estrangle-Chien, Flouron, Flouroux, Morvède, Mourvedon, Mourvès, Négron, Spar and Tire-Droit (France); Mataró (the New World, Portugal and the Pyrénèes-Orientales) and Esparte (an old Australian name).

Back to top