Mourvèdre

• Color: Red 
• Grape Parentage: unconfirmed, although recent DNA evidence suggests that Mourvèdre and Graciano are siblings
• Place of Origin: Mediterranean Coast of Spain (although it may have been introduced by Phoenician traders)
• Origin of Grape Name: Mourvèdre is derived from the town of Murviedro in Valencia, and Mataro is derived from Mataró in Catalonia.  The name “Monastrell” is likely derived from the Latin monasteriellu, or “monastery”.
• Major Countries of Production:
  • Spain: 63,244 hectares (2007, Observatorio español del Mercado del Vino/OeMV)
  • France: 9,221 hectares (2011, FranceAgrimer)
    • Var département: 2,143 ha
    • Vaucluse département: 1,530 ha
    • Aude département: 1,669 ha
    • Hérault département: 1,644 ha
• Synonyms: 
  • Spain: Monastrell
  • France: Balzac, Esparte
  • US/Australia: Mataro
• Viticultural Characteristics: Thick-Skinned, Late-Budding, Late-Ripening, Susceptible to Drought, Resistant to Botrytis/Bunch Rot
• Preferred Soil Type: cool clay or calcareous soils
• Common Blending Partners: Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault, Carignan

Typical Descriptors and Structure for Bandol
(Mourvèdre-dominated blends)

• Visual: Dark Ruby Color, Moderate Plus Concentration
• Aromas/Flavors: Moderate Plus Intensity
  • Fruit: Ripe Black Fruit (Blackberry, Black Raspberry, Black Cherry), Blue Fruit (Blueberry, Plum, Prune), Red Fruit (Red Plum, Red Cherry)
  • Flowers: Purple Flowers
  • Herbal: Garrigue/Wild Herbs, Herbes de Provence, Black Tea, Tobacco
  • Spice: Bitter Chocolate, Black Pepper, Curing Spices
  • Other: Hung/Cured Meats, Animal/Feral, Game, Saddle Leather
  • Earth: Moderate Plus to High Minerality, Forest Floor, Dusty
  • Oak: Large Neutral Cask, Coffee, Cinnamon

Structure: Dry, Full Body, Elevated to High Tannin, Elevated Acidity, Elevated Alcohol