Wine of the Day for February 1, 2010
Mourvedre
Can you believe it’s February already?! A month down, 11 to go. 
Hope I can find 334 more topics to write about. Please send me ideas. I’m open to hearing from you about what you’d like to see.
Origin
Mourvedre actually originated in Spain, where it is known as Monastrell, and had been a component of Châteauneuf-du-Pape until Grenache overtook it, and is only surpassed in acreage in Spain by Grenache. It is also cultivated in France, Australia and California.
Style
This black grape can be found as a single varietal, but is widely blended with Syrah, Carigñan and Tempranillo to produce wines that have aging potential as well as to improved tannin and color.
Characteristics
Wines made from Mourvedre have beautiful intense garnet color, deep red fruit flavors, with aromas of game and leather. This grape makes it challenging to select any distinct characteristics, but when young in highly tannic and alcoholic, so decant, decant, decant your young Mourvedre.
Pairing
Mourvèdre-based wines pair well with grilled and roasted meats, root vegetables, mushrooms and dark fowl such as duck. It is a great wine for a winter meal of chicken and dumplings.
Stop by
If you are out and about this week, stop by Associated Bank on Richmond Street in Appleton, and check out my display (it’s a small display). Let me know what you think.
Syrah’s origin is likely the Rhône Valley in France, and is today widely grown in many premium wine regions including one of my favorites, California. Syrah and Shiraz are the same grape, Syrah more commonly referred to in America and Europe, and Shiraz in Australia and South Africa. 
