Ep 315: The Grape Miniseries -- Mourvedre/Monastrell
Release Date: 03/02/2020
Ep 594: Seb Pradal, The Sommelier Consultant Behind Apple TV’s Award-Winning “Drops of God”
Wine for Normal People
If you haven’t seen the Apple TV Series “Drops of God”, you must change that quickly. This is, in my opinion, the single best wine show/movie ever done. It’s not hokey, it shows wine in a realistic and good light, and it’s a cool story. The show, whose first season dropped in 2023, won the International Emmy Awards for Best Drama Series and has been praised for its beautiful cinematography, skilled acting, and accurate portrayal of certain elements of the wine world. It’s actually based on a Japanese manga series of the same name that was wildly popular. ...
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Ep 593: Fronsac and Canon Fronsac - The Past & Future Greats of Bordeaux
Wine for Normal People
In the show I discuss these two outstanding appellations that once were Greats in Bordeaux and should be once again -- these are wines we should all be drinking more often, especially at the price we pay (you can get a great bottle for US$30). Located at 44.5°N, northwest of the city of Libourne, Fronsac and Canon Fronsac sit on Bordeaux’s Right Bank, overlooking the Dordogne River. These two red-wine-only appellations share some of the best limestone terroir in Bordeaux. And despite the beauty and high quality of the vineyards that cover rolling hills and plateaus, AOC Fronsac and the much...
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Ep 592: The Next Frontiers of Wine Production - New heights, techniques, regions
Wine for Normal People
This week I discuss the current challenges facing wine due to climate change. I cover some strategies the industry is undertaking to address the major issues -- from vineyard and tech solutions to new varieties (Pilzwiderstandsfahige Reben or PiWi grapes!). Then I cover emerging regions that are doing a surprisingly great job making innovative wines! From Normandy, France to the UK, Tasmania, and countries in Scandinavia, you will get a great idea of what is happening on the cutting edge of wine! As promised, here are some names of Danish and Swedish Vineyards: Denmark: ...
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Ep 591: Grape Mini Series - The Zinfandel Refresh
Wine for Normal People
After 14 years, I felt like it was probably time to do another show on Zinfandel! Known as America's heritage grape, the story of the quest for its European origins is like a mystery novel with an interesting end. It is a great grape and so historic! Photo: Frank Schulenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons In this show I cover the massive history of the grape and the unbelievable decades-long search for its origins, which were finally discovered after a dogged group of researchers did a painstaking...
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Ep 590: Back to Basics - Defining Terroir (2026 Remix)
Wine for Normal People
Many, many years ago (like 15 years ago when I started the pod! ) I did a bunch of shows to define terroir. This was when there was a lot of controversy over whether or not terroir was “real”, with people lining up on various sides – terroir is a bunch of bunk made up by snobby French people, wine from anywhere can be made to taste the same regardless of place, the winemaker is more important than the land, and on the other side – terroir is magic that can’t be explained, only European wines have a sense of place, etc., etc. In this show I discuss some of the newer definitions...
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Ep 589: The Monticello AVA of Virginia- The Birthplace of American Wine
Wine for Normal People
Located about 2.5-3 hours southwest of Washington DC, in the southeast of the United States, the Monticello AVA is making world class wines that you need to know about! Photo: Afton Mountain Vineyards. Credit: WFNP Although California is the state for which American wine is known, the first place to tirelessly attempt to make premium wine was, in fact, Virginia. In the land Thomas Jefferson, the greatest wine advocate in American history, called home, the third president never realized his dream of making great wine. But in 1976 a couple of prominent Italians made a go of it and since...
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Ep 588: The Greats of Bordeaux – Pomerol
Wine for Normal People
As our last in the series of the Greats of Bordeaux, I tackle Pomerol -- land of the hedonistic, silky, velvety, complex wines. The name of the game in Pomerol is terroir, and what the excellent, dedicated producers do to express it in the glass. I cover the history of Pomerol, its variable terroir and what that means for the wines, discuss the main grapes in the blend, viticulture and winemaking and then go over some of the top châteaux: Petrus, Le Pin, Château Lafleur, Château La Conseillante, Château Trotanoy, and more! Full show notes and all back episodes...
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Ep 587: The Thanksgiving Show 2025 - Two-Wine Strategies to Rule the Feast
Wine for Normal People
Thanksgiving is one of the most difficult meals to pair with, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try! Source: Canva This year, for one of our weekly discussion questions I asked the Patrons how many wines they would be serving with their Thanksgiving/holiday feasts and the answer was overwhelmingly 2-3. Given that, in this show I talk about combinations of two wines you can purchase for your table that will pair with many types of Thankgsivings. Some examples: If your dishes tend to be on the sweet side… honey glazes, marshmallow sweet potatoes, candied sweet...
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Ep 586: The Five Paths to Bubbles - The 5 Sparkling Production Methods & Styles to Try
Wine for Normal People
Just in time for the holiday season, I review the five ways to get fizz in a wine (on purpose) -- and the wines that result. I discuss regions and styles of different wines in each of the three major categories: Ancestral Method/Pétillant Naturel, Méthode Champenoise/ Metodo Classico, and the Martinotti/Charmat/Tank Method. From Col Fondo to Method Cap Classique to German Sekt, I offer you new possibilities and sparkling wine types you may not know or think of off the top of your head, but which are all great in their own right and many which are ridiculously affordable (and...
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Ep 585: Ten White Wines for Winter
Wine for Normal People
At the suggestion of Patron John D., in this show I give you a list of 10 great winter whites and review each in detail! I discuss the varied styles, since most regions have multiple versions of these wines, and how to get the bone warmers, not the light sippers. I offer food pairing ideas to boot! From white Burgundy to Poşip to Savienníeres and Fiano, I've suggested a great white bottle for almost every week of winter! I hope you find the list useful. Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. ...
info_outlineThe grape miniseries continues! This time we cover the grape known as Monstrell in Spain, Mourvèdre in France, and Mataro in other parts of the world. Difficult to grow and make, when treated well the wines from this grape are unlike any other -- herbal, gamy, powerful.
The key things to know about Monastrell/Mourvèdre:
- The grape originated in Spain, and then moved to the Roussillon, Rhône, and Provence in France. It needs a lot of heat to grow, so it can only thrive in hot locations with lots of sun but ample water.
- Flavors: They vary greatly depending on where the wine is made, but generally it has deep color, full body, is tannic and high in alcohol.
- Spain: can be more like red fruit -- cherries and raspberries with spice and herbs.
- France, especially Bandol: the wines have more dark fruit (if any fruit character at all) with spice, olives, herbs (garrigue as they call it in southern France), and a gamy, barnyard or wild animal smell to the wine. With time (3-5 years) that flavor mellows to something more akin to leather or tobacco and the tannins calm. In the new works styles are less tannic and less gamy.
- In blends: Mourvèdre adds fullness, flavor and structure that complements the more lifted Grenache and the elegant Syrah.
- In rosé: The grape helps these wines have longevity, lending tannin and great flavor to the wine
- Food Pairings: Meats or root/hearty vegetables that are braised, grilled, or in a stew. Hard cheeses work too.
Where can you find it?
France:
- Provence: Especially Bandol, where the finest Mourvèdre is made. Producers we mentioned are Domaine Tempier (reds and rosé), Château de Pibarnon
- Languedoc-Roussillon: one to watch for more varietal Mourvèdre in the future
- Rhône: in blends and especially in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. We mention Beaucastel as having a high percentage of Mourvèdre
Spain (called Monastrell)
- Central and southeast Spain: Murcia, Castilla-La Mancha, Valencia
- Main grape in: Alicante, Almansa, Jumilla, Valencia, Yecla, Bullas
- Producers: Luzon, Juan Gil, Castaño, El Nido, Casa de la Ermita
California
- Northern and Central CA: Contra Costa County (old plantings found here), San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, Sonoma
- Producers:
Other US: Washington State, Oregon, Arizona, TX, Virginia, Chile, South Africa
Australia
- Used as a component in GSMs -- Grenache Syrah Mourvèdre blends
- South Australia: Riverland (bulk wine), Barossa, McLaren Vale
- New South Wales: Riverina (bulk wine area)
- Producers making single varietal Mourvèdre:
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