Multifaceted Mourvèdre

Honestly, Mourvèdre is fascinating. 

It's aromas, flavours, versatility, food friendliness, climate appropriateness.

And yet, there are plenty of people who have yet to try a varietal Mourvèdre wine. There are few wineries who do produce a varietal Mourvèdre. 

Here at Aphelion, we absolutely do. 

And with good reason. 

Here are 4 interesting facts about Mourvèdre.

4 Interesting Facts About Mourvèdre

🍇 1. A Grape with Many Names
Mourvèdre is a bit of a globe-trotter—known as Monastrell in Spain and Mataro in parts of Australia and California. Though its exact origins are debated, it's believed to have Spanish roots and found a second home in southern France.

🌞 2. A Sun-Lover’s Dream
Mourvèdre thrives in hot, sunny climates, needing more heat than many other red varieties to fully ripen. That’s why you’ll often find it flourishing in regions like Bandol (France), Paso Robles (California), and Yecla (Spain).

🍷 3. The Bold and the Beautiful
Wines made from Mourvèdre are typically rich and full-bodied, with earthy, gamey notes alongside flavors of blackberry, plum, and herbs. It’s also known for having grippy tannins and age-worthy structure—great for cellaring.

🥂 4. A Team Player in Blends
While Mourvèdre shines on its own, it's also a key player in the famous GSM blend (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre). It adds depth, tannin, and savory complexity, rounding out the fruit-forward brightness of Grenache and the spice of Syrah.

4 Top Regions For Mourvèdre

Mourvèdre thrives in warm climates and plays a starring or supporting role in several key wine regions around the world. Here’s a breakdown of the top regions for Mourvèdre, with tips on what makes each one special:

🇫🇷 Bandol (Provence, France)

The benchmark for Mourvèdre-based wines.

• Why it matters: Bandol produces some of the most age-worthy and complex Mourvèdre wines in the world—often with bold structure, earthy notes, wild herbs, and a touch of gaminess.

• Wines: Typically blended with Grenache and Cinsault, but Mourvèdre often dominates.

• Style: Earthy, structured, often with notes of wild herbs, leather, and game.
  Food Pairings:

  • Slow-roasted lamb with rosemary and garlic

  • Duck confit or game meats (venison, boar)

  • Ratatouille or Provençal vegetable stews

  • Hard cheeses like aged Comté or Gruyère
    Tip: Think rustic French fare with herbs and depth of flavor.

🇪🇸 Spain (Yecla, Jumilla, Alicante)

Mourvèdre's likely homeland, where it’s called Monastrell.

• Why it matters: Spain produces powerful, fruit-forward expressions of Monastrell, often at fantastic value.

• Wines: Can range from everyday easy-drinking to robust, age-worthy reds.

• Style: Juicy, ripe, and spicy with dark fruit and smoky undertones.
  

• Food Pairings:

  • Grilled chorizo or spicy sausages

  • Paella with rabbit or pork

  • Barbecued pork ribs

  • Tapas like meatballs (albondigas) or jamón ibérico
    Tip: Match the wine’s boldness with richly flavored, slightly spicy dishes.

🇺🇸 California (Paso Robles, Contra Costa, Santa Barbara)

Home of bold and inventive Mourvèdre wines.

• Why it matters: California winemakers experiment with both single varietal Mourvèdre and GSM blends, often yielding rich, ripe, and full-bodied wines.

• Wines: Typically more plush and fruit-driven than their European counterparts.

• Style: Lush, fruit-forward, often higher in alcohol with dark berry and chocolate notes.
  

• Food Pairings:

  • Smoked brisket or tri-tip

  • BBQ burgers with caramelized onions and blue cheese

  • Mushroom risotto (for a meatless option with umami depth)

  • Chili con carne or black bean stew
    Tip: Go for rich, smoky, or grilled foods to match the wine’s intensity.

🇦🇺 Australia (McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley)

Down Under's rising Rhône star.

• Why it matters: Mourvèdre—often called Mataro—is increasingly respected in Australia, especially in GSM blends and single-varietal bottlings.

• Wines: Dark, intense, and earthy with great aging potential.

• Style: Deep, bold, and earthy with spice and occasional minty notes.
  

• Food Pairings:

  • Grilled kangaroo or lamb (or beef if you’re not in Australia!)

  • Pepper-crusted steak

  • Barbecued mushrooms

  • Strong-flavored aged cheddar
    Tip: Australian Mourvèdre loves char and spice—ideal for BBQ lovers.

How Aphelion Work With Mourvèdre

As A Dry Varietal Wine

Mourvèdre grows so well in McLaren Vale. The climate is perfect to create intriguing medium bodied wines. 

We have made Aphelion Emergent Mourvèdre since 2017 and absolutely love it.

Why?

Aromas of sage, cherry spice and fresh almonds. Dark black fruit on the palate with powdery tannins that provide a canvas for the flavours that wash across the medium bodied palate, and bright acidity keeps the wine fresh and vibrant. Our Mourvèdre has a very long finish and persistent drive with an elegant fruit profile.

It Goes With Food:

Very food friendly due to its savoury characters – try with duck rillettes and fresh crusty bread.

It Goes With Cheese: 

An aged Pecorino would match the body of the wine and complement its acidity and spiciness.

It Goes With Music:

Vance Joy – Lay It On Me.

It Goes With Life:

When the inspiration strikes to try something a little left of centre.

Shop Aphelion Emergent Mourvèdre Here

As A Blending Partner

Manners go a long way. 

Mourvèdre is a brilliant blending partner with Grenache. It has traditionally been the "M" in GSM blends. 

Balanced

Not so bold as to overtake the delicate majesty of Grenache, but at the same time bringing an intriguing counterbalance of flavours, tannin and body. 

Dark

Black fruits and earthiness - mushroom, leather, sometimes tobacco adds a dark edge which helps to create interest.

We love making Affinity Grenache Mourvèdre. It has been a multi-trophy winner at wine shows.

Why?

A blend of single vineyard Blewitt Springs Grenache and single vineyard Willunga South Mourvèdre results in a wine with oodles of complexity.

A beautiful and crisp savoury edge runs through this wine from aroma to palate. The whole bunch ferment characters appear in the form of spicy herbal complexity whilst the youthful Grenache component keeps the feel fresh and vibrant.

Savoury, spicy, complex.

Goes With Food:

Matches well to lighter red meat dishes such as venison or rare lamb, but is equally well suited to a vegetarian lasagne. Versatility is a key component of this wine.

Goes With Cheese: 

An aged cloth bound cheddar or mid strength parmesan matches the subtle tannin profile of the Affinity.

Goes With Music: 

PJ Harvey – Down By The Water.

Goes With Life: 

Laughter and languid lounging with loved ones.

Shop Affinity Grenache Mourvèdre Here.

As A Rosè

The best Rosè in the country - Mazi - is Mourvèdre based.

The critics are pretty happy with our take on a Grenache Mourvèdre Rosè as well! The Welkin Rosè.

Why?

A beautiful salmon-orange colour, aromatics of fresh flowers and just ripe strawberries jump out of the glass.

Vibrant fruit characters mingled with citrus and spice aromatics are the hallmarks of this wine.

Blood orange, grapefruit and cranberry characters mingle on to the palate with fresh
acidity keeping the wine lively and vibrant.

A slight rasp of powdery tannin adds a savoury element and provides good palate length.

Goes With Food:

Lightly spiced Thai based seafood dishes.

Goes With Cheese:

Fresh burrata matches the body of the wine.

Goes With Music:

Grinderman – Palaces of Montezuma.

Goes With Life:

Out for a spicy fresh Vietnamese BYO meal or a tasty Thai takeaway with friends.

Shop The Welkin Rosè Here.