Red Varietals

Question 1

Mouvedre

Answer 1

AKA Mataro (Spain and Portugal) and Monastrell (Spain)

Name: Likely derivative of the name of a Spanish province, Murviedro, near Valencia; Mataro likely comes from the town of Mataro, near Barcelona in Catalonia; Monastrell is unknown, but perhaps just a region-neutral option

Origin: Likely Spanish, introduced by Phoenicians; found its’ way to France via the Roussillon region (part of Spain until 1650s) to Rhone then Provence

Lineage:

Notable Regions: France (Rhone, Provence); Spain (Valencia, Jumilla, Yecla, Balearic Islands); New World (CA, WA, S. Africa, Aus.)

Wine produced: Red, also Rose and Port

Body: medium to full

Acid: Medium to High

Tannins: High

Phenolics: Soft red fruit, blackberry, peppery, herbaceous (can depend on foliage management), wild game, earthy notes; can appear faulted due to gaminess and reductive, sulphur notes. In warmer, Spanish versions can be brimming with dark fruit and notes of spice

Viticulture: tends to bud and ripen late, so even though it can avoid early frost damage, it prefers warmer climates and can be very temperature senstitive, even in winter dormancy; adaptable in soil but prefers shallow clay soils that preserve moisture and keep its feet wet, but don’t allow for too much foliage growth, as its compact grape clusters are susceptible to downy/powdery mildew; this also meants it does better in a dry environment with some wind; berries are small with thick skins, leading to high color, phenolics, and tannins (this also protects the grape from late-season storms so it can remain on the vine to ripen, unlike thinner-skinned grapes, such as Grenache, which are prone to damage/bursting in rough weather); in warm climates with longer growing seasons, grapes can become very ripe with high sugar (alchohol potential) content, but when this peak is reached, harvest window is very narrow, with the grape descending quickly to dessication and prune-like flavors

Other: Often blended, usually with Grenache in GSM style blends

Question 2

Monastrell

Answer 2

See Mouvedre

Question 3

Mataro

Answer 3

See Mouvedre