| Because of the challenges of cultivating | | | | could take as long as ten years to realize any |
| Mourvedre grapes, they are not widely grown in | | | | sizable crop from these vines. |
| vineyards throughout the world. It is a popular | | | | The low tannic quality of Mourvedre wine makes |
| grape of the wineries along the Mediterranean | | | | it perfect as a blend to soften the taste of other |
| coast of France because of the ideal climactic | | | | wines. Many wineries in Australia use it as a blend |
| conditions. | | | | for Grenache and Shiraz where they are |
| It is also grown in Australia and California. While it | | | | marketed as GSM wines. When bottled as a |
| was thought that the grapes of Spain were of | | | | varietal wine, it has a deep color and can be very |
| this variety, research has shown that it is the | | | | tannic and alcoholic. When young, it has a spicy |
| Mourvedre and Monastrell grapes are two | | | | and gamey aroma. The wine is aged in heavy oak |
| different varieties. Mourvedre grapes are mainly | | | | barrels, which gives it an aroma of oak, smoke, |
| found in the Jumilla region of Spain. | | | | tar, toast and sweet wood. |
| Mourvedre grapes are late to ripen, which | | | | Some of the common aromas of Mourvedre |
| exposes them to the threat of frost. They have | | | | include leather, herbs and spices. The wine |
| thick skins, which helps them resist rot and other | | | | produced in the U.S. and Australia also has hints of |
| diseases that can harm both the grapes and the | | | | sweetness. It leaves a savory finish on the |
| vines. They grow in tight bunches on the vine and | | | | palette. The earthy aromas are very strong when |
| have to be pruned on a regular basis. There are | | | | you open a bottle of this wine, so much so that |
| 3-5 lobes on the leaves and the berries are of | | | | you may think the wine has aged too long and |
| medium size and blue-black in color. The grapes | | | | should not be consumed. |
| need to have a lot of ventilation because they | | | | However, this is a distinctive characteristic of the |
| grow so tight together on the vine. | | | | wine. As it ages it takes on the aromas of |
| High temperatures are essential for the grapes to | | | | truffles and leather. The longer the wine ages, the |
| ripen and although they do need a lot of water, | | | | more complex the tastes and aromas will |
| care must be taken with the humidity levels to | | | | become. Adding Grenache or Pinotage to the wine |
| which they are exposed. Too much humidity can | | | | will help soften the overpowering scent with its |
| cause the grapes to rot on the vine. | | | | fruity tastes and aroma. |
| Another of the challenges posed by Mourvedre [ | | | | With the earthy aromas of Mourvedre, it is the |
| is the irregular yields wineries can have from year | | | | perfect wine to pair with dishes that have earthy |
| to year. One year may produce a good crop of | | | | flavors. It goes well with dishes containing |
| grapes and the next year the yield may be way | | | | mushrooms and root vegetables, as well as grilled |
| down. Most grape varieties will produce a | | | | meats. It is an excellent choice of wine to serve |
| commercial yield within three to five years, but it | | | | with wild game and with dark fowl, such as duck. |