Mourvèdre
By Wine Atlas, Monday 21 November 2005 :: Wine - New-Zealand :: #82 :: rss
Mourvèdre, an important Spanish grape that was once the dominant varietal in Provence, has become the murmur du jour as more varietals associated with the southern Rhône assume increasing popularity worldwide. A late ripener, it needs warm summers to yield its rich, gamey or meaty flavours, sometimes likened to truffles. Several leading producers at the Cape have established plantings but these are still too small to warrant a mention in the statistics provided by SA Wine Industry Information & Systems (SAWIS).
Nederburg is one of the producers experimenting with Mourvèdre to see if it has the potential to enhance blended reds with intensity of colour and flavour, and to provide the tannic structure for good ageing potential. The grape, for a long time considered unfashionable, has rehabilitated itself. These days, nearly everyone can pronounce it, making a point of rolling the second 'r' to show they know it is once again in vogue as either a blending partner or a stand-alone wine.
Continue reading: news.wine.co.za
