Mataro, better known as Mourvedre in France, and Monastrell in Spain, is a late ripening red wine grape variety that flourishes in warm, Mediterranean climates. This darkly coloured grape variety hails predominantly from the regions of Rhone and Provence in France and Spain's Levante coast.
Mataro grape is renowned for its deep colour and strong tannin profile, producing wines that are both richly flavoured and highly complex. In taste, wines crafted from this robust variety often bear notes of blackberry, black plum, peppery spice, mocha chocolate, and herbs, with a certain earthy, gamey quality that can become more pronounced as the wine ages. Because of their supple tannins and good acidity, Mataro wines are highly age-worthy and can benefit significantly from time in the cellar.
Traditionally, the Mataro grape, due to its full-bodied nature and tannic structure, has often been used as a blending grape in the creation of robust red wines. However, recent years have seen a rise in prominence in the wine world, being appreciated for its individual characteristics lending to unique, striking mono-varietal wines.
While Mataro is widely cultivated in France and Spain, it has also found favour in Australia, California, and Washington, where warm climates allow it to reach full maturity.
The planting of Mataro is, however, not an easy task. This grape is particularly susceptible to various hazards including powdery mildew, downy mildew, and coulure, which can drastically affect the yields of a harvest. It also necessitates a long growing season as it ripens late, often not until October or November. This element of risk in cultivation makes the Mataro grape a true labour of love amongst winegrowers, but a well-rewarded one, judging by the remarkable wines it can produce. In the hands of a skilled vintner, a bottle of Mataro wine can be a compelling and complex delight. The Mataro grape offers beauty in the bottle for those with patience and a love for deep, rich wines.
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