Mourvedre

Known as Mataro, or Monastrell. Mourvedre is grown in regions around the world. That include California, Washington State, Rhone, Provence, Spain, and Australia. Primarily used to produce red wines, Mourvedre is occasionally blended with Syrah and Grenache. Mourvedre is also used to produce port fortified wines and rose. Mourvedre produces tannic wines that have high alcohol content. The wine styles that are produced from Mourvedre vary greatly according to the region where it is produced. Mourvedre can be difficult to grow is at prefers hot sun and moist climate. It needs very warm weather. Although it produces a low leaf to fruit ratio, adequate water, or irrigation produces intensely flavored Mourvedre that is not overly jammy. Wines that are produced with Mourvedre often have earthy or wild game notes to them with soft red fruity flavors. Mourvedre fruit is small and thick skinned with high phenolic compounds that have the potential to produce deeply colored, very tannic wines if they are harvested at high sugar levels. However, the variety is rarely harvested at sugar levels below 13% alcohol because the flavors at those lower levels are often weak if great care is not taken at the vineyard.