All About Mourvedre

Appearance

  • Color: Deep, dark red to almost purple hue, reflecting their concentration and intensity.
  • Opacity: High opacity, indicating a wine rich in phenolic compounds and capable of aging well.

Aroma

  • Primary Aromas: Blackberries, blueberries, and dark plums are the dominant fruit aromas.
  • Secondary Aromas: Spices such as black pepper, along with herbaceous notes like thyme, rosemary, and garrigue.
  • Tertiary Aromas: With aging, Mourvèdre can develop more complex aromas such as leather, truffle, tobacco, and hints of game or dried meats.

Flavor Profile

  • Fruit Flavors: Predominantly dark fruits like blackberry and blueberry, with red fruit notes such as cherry in some regions.
  • Other Flavors:Earthy and spicy notes, along with hints of cocoa, tobacco, and sometimes a gamey or meaty quality.
  • Oak Influence: Mourvèdre is often aged in oak barrels, which can impart additional flavors of vanilla, chocolate, and a smoky or toasty finish.

Structure

  • Body: Full-bodied, providing a robust and dense mouthfeel.
  • Tannins: High tannin content, contributing to a strong structure and aging potential.
  • Acidity: Medium acidity, which balances the bold fruit and tannin structure.
  • Alcohol: Ranges from 13.5% to 15%

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Pairings for Mourvedre

Grilled Meats

Grilled meats, such as lamb and beef, offer rich, smoky flavors that intensify with the cooking method. The natural char and juiciness of cuts like ribeye or lamb chops make them a versatile option for a variety of occasions, from casual barbecues to elegant dinners. When properly seasoned, grilled meats balance bold flavors with tenderness, often enhanced with marinades or simple salt and pepper. The robust, smoky notes developed during grilling pair beautifully with full-bodied wines, making them a favorite for wine lovers.

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Hearty Stews and Braised Dishes

Hearty stews and braised dishes, such as beef stew, lamb shanks, and Coq au Vin, are slow-cooked meals that develop deep, savory flavors over time. These dishes often have rich sauces made from stock, wine, or tomatoes, which help tenderize the meat and infuse it with robust flavors. The long cooking process results in tender, melt-in-your-mouth meats, and vegetables. Pairing these dishes with bold, full-bodied wines complements their richness and complexity. Ideal wines have enough acidity and tannins to balance the fat and intensify the stew's flavors​.

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Game and Roasted Vegetables

Game meats like venison, wild boar, and duck are known for their rich, earthy flavors, often enhanced by slow cooking and roasted vegetables such as root vegetables or mushrooms. The gamey quality of these meats pairs beautifully with robust red wines, while the caramelized, earthy notes of roasted vegetables create a perfect complement. The deep flavors of the vegetables bring balance to the intensity of game, creating a hearty, flavorful dish that pairs excellently with earthy, medium-to-full-bodied wines.

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