Mourvèdre is the second most planted red grape in Spain behind Grenache. The Spanish call this varietal Monastrell, and in the new world it’s known as Mataro. This grape prefers hot climates and tends to ripen poorly if grown in cooler areas. Mourvèdre produces larger tight clusters with big thick skinned berries and is a late ripening grape. It can be susceptible to rot problems. Mourvèdre wines are big and tannic with dark color and blackberry flavor. Mourvèdre often produces wines with a meaty character and somewhat funky animal and fur aromas. It typically is added to blends for complexity and structure, and is often combined with Grenache and Syrah.