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Mourvèdre is a Spanish red grape known in its home country as Monastrell, which is widely grown in the South of France.
MOURVÈDRE: Robust mediterranean hot climate grape variety widely grown in the southern Rhone region of France and mainly used to introduce color and body to the red wine blends. Normally ripens in mid-October, ie. a week or so after Carignan.
From 2008 Syrah and Mourvèdre must account for at least 10% of the blend. In short, this is best thought of as principally Carignan and Grenache, with a number of other not necessarily insignificant players alongside.
Cab S & F, Malbec, Merlot, Petit V); De Trafford, Stellenbosch (Shiraz); Diemersfontein, Wellington (Pinotage, Shiraz); Ernie Els, Stellenbosch (classic blend - Cab S & F, Merlot, Petit V, Malbec); Fairview, Paarl ('SMV' blend Shiraz, Mourvèdre, ...
As long as the weather is warm, Mourvèdre likes a wide variety of soils. It's popular across the south of France , especially in Provence and the Côtes-du-Rhône, and is often used in Châteauneuf-du-Pape; Languedoc makes it as a varietal.
An attractive Rhone-style offering from a winery much better known for its Zinfandels, this sturdy red is labeled Syrah with 87 percent of the predominant grape, but adds a little complexity thanks to 9 percent Grenache and 4 percent Mourvèdre.
The best wines are made from Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre grapes, and sub-regions such as Faugères, Pic St Loup, Montpeyroux, Minervois, St Chinian and Corbières are leading the field in terms of quality.
 See also: Region, Syrah, Style, Vineyard, Vintage
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