Grape variety : Mourvèdre

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1950 Rosé Bio

Moulin de la Roque Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur

€14.00

1950 Rosé Bio

Moulin de la Roque Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur

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A Flot Rosé 2024

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Aventure

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Mourvèdre: Origins and Characteristics of This Grape Variety

Mourvèdre is a red grape variety emblematic of sun-drenched Mediterranean wine regions. It contributes to the creation of many renowned red and rosé wines, especially in southern France, Spain (where it is known as Monastrell), and the New World. Valued for its structure, complex aromas, and aging potential, Mourvèdre is a grape variety that fascinates with both its history and its unique characteristics. Follow this guide to explore Mourvèdre’s origins, its aromatic qualities, and the secrets behind the most harmonious food and wine pairings it can create.

Mourvèdre at a glance

Color: red grape
Origin: Spain (around Valencia), brought to France in the 16th century; monastrell in Spain
Regions: Provence (Bandol), Southern Rhône Valley, Languedoc-Roussillon
Profile: powerful and tannic, with black fruit, garrigue, spice and leather; long, age-worthy reds and fresh rosés
Serving temperature: 16 to 18 °C for the reds
Cellaring: long-lived reds; rosés are best enjoyed young

Description and Origins of This Grape Variety

Mourvèdre is a grape variety with deep roots in the history of Mediterranean viticulture. Ampelographers suggest that it is originally from Spain, specifically from the Valencia region. Introduced to France in the 16th century, Mourvèdre has significantly developed in southern France, particularly in Provence, Languedoc-Roussillon, and the Southern Rhône Valley. Over the centuries, Mourvèdre has been widely adopted by winemakers for its resistance to challenging climatic conditions (especially drought), its tasting qualities, and the structure it imparts to wine.

Main Terroirs Where Mourvèdre Is Cultivated

In France, Mourvèdre finds its most accomplished expression in the Bandol terroirs in Provence, where it contributes to the production of intensely flavored red wines and refined rosés. It is also present in Languedoc-Roussillon and the Rhône Valley, adding complexity, depth, and aging potential to blends. Each region, with its unique microclimate and varied soils, allows Mourvèdre to reveal different facets of its personality, ranging from the powerful, noble character in Bandol to the finesse and elegance found in other appellations.

Aromatic Characteristics of Mourvèdre

Mourvèdre is renowned for its rich and complex aromatic profile, which is expressed in both red and rosé wines. Although it is often blended with other Mediterranean varieties such as Grenache, Syrah, or Cinsault, some cuvées are made as single-varietal wines (or with a high proportion of Mourvèdre).

Characteristics of Mourvèdre in a Red Wine:

Appearance: The wine features a deep, dark red color with violet reflections.

Nose: The nose reveals intense aromas of ripe black fruits (blackberry, blackcurrant), garrigue, violet, black olive, along with spicy notes, truffle, and game as it ages.

Palate: The palate is distinguished by its imposing tannic structure, with richness evolving into flavors of stewed fruits, leather, and tobacco, offering a long aromatic finish. This power allows Mourvèdre-based red wines to age remarkably well.

Characteristics of Mourvèdre in a Rosé Wine:

Appearance: The wine shows a more subtle color, ranging from pale pink to salmon pink.

Nose: The nose expresses fresh notes of small red fruits, citrus, and flowers, with a slight spicy hint.

Palate: The palate delights with its liveliness, freshness, and finesse, leading to an elegant and fragrant finish.

Best Food and Wine Pairings with Mourvèdre

Mourvèdre’s structure and complexity offer a wide range of food and wine pairings. Follow these tips to achieve the best pairings with a bottle of red or rosé wine made from Mourvèdre:

For light appetizers, composed salads, or spaghetti with clams, Mourvèdre-based rosés work wonders with their freshness and finesse. For an elegant touch, opt for a Provence rosé from AOC Côte de Provence or AOC Coteaux-d’Aix-en-Provence to fully enjoy Mourvèdre.
For hearty dishes like roasted leg of lamb or Provençal stew, pair it with a fine bottle from a Bandol estate. This appellation, closely linked to Mourvèdre, expresses the quintessence of the grape with its power, complex aromas, and aging potential.
Sharing a charcuterie platter with friends? Consider a red wine from the Rhône Valley, made from a Mourvèdre-based blend in AOC Cairanne. This red wine highlights Mourvèdre’s spicy, wild character, wrapped in the roundness and fruitiness typical of the appellation. Its ripe red fruit notes, musk, and warm palate will perfectly complement your charcuterie platter, from salami and prosciutto to pâté.

Mourvèdre is a captivating grape variety that offers wine enthusiasts deeply flavorful experiences. Its ability to produce wines with exceptional aromatic richness, combined with its aging potential, makes Mourvèdre a favorite choice for those looking to explore the diversity and complexity of Mediterranean wines. Whether you’re drawn to a powerful red or a delicate rosé, Mourvèdre-based wines promise to enhance your tasting moments. Discover our carefully selected range of Mourvèdre wines at Avenue des Vins, and let yourself be tempted by our bottles, available for home delivery directly from the estate or château of your choice.

Mourvèdre, a pillar of the Southern blend

Mourvèdre is rarely bottled on its own. Across the south of France it joins Grenache and Syrah in the famous “GSM” blend, to which it brings tannic structure, depth and aging potential. It is found in this role in many reds of the southern Rhône Valley and the Languedoc-Roussillon. Its finest expression, however, remains AOC Bandol in Provence, where it dominates the blend and gives both long-lived reds and food-friendly rosés.

Serving and keeping Mourvèdre

Mourvèdre red wines are best served between 16 and 18 °C, warm enough to let their black fruit, garrigue and spice open up while their firm tannins soften. The powerful reds of the south are built to last and can spend several years in the cellar, where their fruit slowly turns toward leather and spice. Made as a rosé wine, Mourvèdre takes on a different style: best served well chilled and enjoyed young, while its fresh, lively red-fruit character is at its peak.

Frequently asked questions about Mourvèdre

Are Mourvèdre and Monastrell the same grape?

Yes, Mourvèdre and Monastrell are the same grape variety: Monastrell is its name in Spain, its country of origin. In France it is called Mourvèdre and is grown mainly in Provence, the southern Rhône Valley and the Languedoc-Roussillon.

What does a Mourvèdre wine taste like?

A Mourvèdre wine is known for its aromas of black fruit, garrigue, spice and leather, carried by powerful tannins. The reds are structured and made for aging, while the rosés are fresh and delicate.

Does Mourvèdre only make red wine?

No, Mourvèdre also makes very fine rosés, particularly in Provence and Bandol. It is also part of many Mediterranean red blends, alongside Grenache and Syrah.

What temperature should you serve a Mourvèdre red?

A Mourvèdre red is best served between 16 and 18 °C. At that temperature its powerful tannins soften and its aromas of black fruit, garrigue and spice can open up fully.