Red grape variety

Mourvèdre

Also called Monastrell, Mataro

Mourvèdre is a red grape from Spain known for dark, tannic wines with blackberry, game and earthy notes. It leads Bandol in Provence and, as Monastrell, Jumilla and Yecla. In 2015 Spain had 43,049 hectares, its fourth most planted red variety.

Color	Red (black-skinned)
Origin	Valencia, Spain (named after Murviedro, today Sagunt)
Body	Full
Acidity	Medium
Tannin	High
Typical aromas	blackberry, plum, game, leather, earth, pepper
Key regions	Provence (France), Rhône Valley (France), Languedoc-Roussillon (France), Jumilla (Spain), Yecla (Spain), Barossa Valley (Australia), California (United States)

Origin and history

Mourvèdre most likely originated in Spain. Its French name comes from Murviedro, today Sagunt, near Valencia, and the variety may have been brought to the Valencia area by Phoenician traders around 500 BC. In Spain it is called Monastrell, and in Portugal, Australia and California it was long known as Mataro. The grape crossed into southern France, where it became important in Provence and the Rhône. It is a warm-climate vine that needs, in a well-known saying, its face in the hot sun and its feet in the water. Spanish plantings have shrunk from over 100,000 hectares in 1996 to 43,049 hectares in 2015, yet it remained the country's fourth most planted red grape.

Where it grows

In Provence, Mourvèdre defines Bandol, whose red wines must contain at least 50% of it; it also appears in Côtes de Provence and Palette. In the southern Rhône Valley it is a blending grape in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Lirac and Tavel, and in Languedoc in Corbières, Faugères and Pic Saint-Loup. France had over 7,600 hectares in 2000. As Monastrell it is the main grape of south-east Spain, notably Jumilla and Yecla, as well as Alicante and Almansa. Australia, especially the Barossa Valley, uses it in GSM blends, and California had about 900 acres in 2010.

Taste, wine styles and food

Mourvèdre makes deeply coloured, tannic wines that can be high in alcohol. Young examples may show a rustic, farmyard character, which with age turns into earthy, leathery notes over blackberry and plum fruit, often with a gamey, meaty edge. On its own, as in top Bandol or Jumilla, it gives structured wines for ageing; more often it adds backbone and dark fruit to blends with Grenache and Syrah, the classic GSM trio. Bandol is also known for structured rosé wine in which Mourvèdre must make up at least 20%. The grape's tannin and savoury side suit roast lamb, game, beef stews, grilled sausages and Provençal dishes with olives and herbs.

Wines made with Mourvèdre (14)

WineGuessr lists 14 wines made with Mourvèdre, from 3 countries. Most come from France (11).

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Mourvèdre: questions and answers

Is Monastrell the same as Mourvèdre?

Yes. Monastrell is the Spanish name for Mourvèdre, and Mataro is a name used in Australia, Portugal and California.

What does Mourvèdre taste like?

Mourvèdre tastes of blackberry and plum with gamey, leathery and earthy notes. It is full-bodied and tannic, often with high alcohol.

What grape is Bandol made from?

Red Bandol is based on Mourvèdre, which must make up at least 50% of the blend, usually with Grenache and Cinsault.

Where does Mourvèdre come from?

Mourvèdre comes from eastern Spain. Its name refers to Murviedro, the old name of Sagunt near Valencia.

Other red grapes

All grape varieties →

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Last reviewed October 2026.