Saga of the grape varieties: mourvèdre

Mourvèdre is a Spanish grape variety. It arrived in France in the 16th century, and is grown particularly in Languedoc-Roussillon, the Rhône Valley and Provence. The Mediterranean terroir is best suited to Mourvèdre, as it needs sun and clay-limestone soils. It is also said that Mourvèdre needs to see the sea.

Mourvèdre can be recognized by its compact clusters and spherical, bluish-black berries.

It is used for red wines. This grape variety with a strong personality produces a structured, tannic wine. It gives the wine aromas of spices, black fruit (blackcurrant, blackberry), stewed and candied fruit with vegetal touches of garrigue or laurel.

Mourvèdre is one of the grape varieties grown at Château l'Hospitalet, for example, where it faces the sea. It expresses itself wonderfully in the Château l'Hospitalet Grand Vin Rouge cuvée, where it is blended with Carignan and Syrah.