"Working by Hand" (Winemaking)
Winemaking: Mourvèdre-At-A-Glance
- Most common styles
- Still and mostly red, although there are lovely rosé examples
- Winemaker choices and options
- Virtually all winemakers make use of available options (skin contact, malolactic, lees-stirring, choice of fermentation vessel, etc.).
- Aging
- All options used: stainless steel, concrete, oak (barrels, vats, barriques, oak alternatives).
- Aging potential (yes/no). If “yes,” give range
- Yes. Most, especially the rosés, are drunk relatively young, but the best bottlings, be it in the form of an age-worthy rosé, blend component or stand-alone varietal, have the potential to age close to 15 years.
- Presented solo or frequently blended with
- Can be vinified as a mono-variety and there are some great red examples, especially when made with older vines and lower yields. That said, most Mourvèdre is used in blended red wines, where it can be the dominant grape or, more likely, a choice blending element.