Ep 315: The Grape Miniseries -- Mourvedre/Monastrell
Release Date: 03/02/2020
Ep 343: The Exquisite Wines of Alsace with Thierry Fritsch of the Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins d’Alsace (CIVA)
Wine for Normal People
We welcome Thierry Fritsch, the head oenologist and chief wine educator of the Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins d’Alsace (CIVA), the regional wine regulatory and promotional body of the Alsace wine region. Thierry tells us about Alsace -- its wines, its terroir, and its rich history, as well as exciting new developments in the works.
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Ep 342: Jane Anson on her book "Inside Bordeaux", a fresh look at this classic region
Wine for Normal People
Jane Anson, award-winning writer, the foremost authority on Bordeaux, and one of the nicest, most talented people in wine, returns to the show to discuss her opus, Inside Bordeaux, a must-have book that took years to research and write. It provides a comprehensive look at the region’s true strengths – it’s terroir, farming, grapes, and land, rather than pretty buildings and rich people. It's a fresh look at this famed region and shows why Bordeaux is and always will be a great wine power.
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Ep 341: The Grape Miniseries -- Gamay
Wine for Normal People
This week we return to our grape miniseries to cover an old Burgundian variety, one of the 20 kids of Gouais Blanc and Pinot, that emerged around the 1300s. We cover its fascinating history; we talk about how it survived defamation by Dukes, centuries later became one of the most popular wines in the world (Beaujolais Nouveau), fell from grace, and now is securing its place as a serious, multifaceted grape that makes complex, interesting wines (especially in its home of Beaujolais, France).
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Ep 185, The Remake: 7 Types of (Non-Winery) Wine Clubs
Wine for Normal People
Of all the shows in the catalog, one has always stuck out as not really fitting in so this week we’re scrapping the old 185 and we’re replacing it with something that is related but more timely, relevant and just plain better!!
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Ep 340: UK Wine and its Past, Present, and Future
Wine for Normal People
Although limited in availability, English wine is rising in popularity. Climate change, bedrock soil that's similar to Champagne and Chablis, and growers with know-how have changed England from a producer of mainly plonk wine into a viable wine nation, with sparkling wine leading the charge. Access in the US is limited, so admittedly this is more of an academic exercise, but in the show we discuss the history, as well as the present, and bright future of UK wine.
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Ep 339: Puglia, Italy -- New World Wine From an Old World Country
Wine for Normal People
In this show we tackle the heel of Italy’s boot (and the area that covers a part of the calf!): Puglia (pool-YA), which is in a transition from a bulk wine area to a quality wine area. Taking cues from New World winemakers, with whom they had a lot in common from a terroir POV, Puglia are modernizing and making better wines than ever before. We give an overview of what to try.
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Ep 338: Glassware and Gadgets Revisited
Wine for Normal People
We haven't done a show on this topic for a long time, so here's the 2020 update. We cover what to look for in glassware, decanters, wine fridges, wine openers, preservation systems and more. This is the skinny on what you need and what you don't (and why!).
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Ep 337: Feudi di San Gregorio and the Unrivaled Wines of Campania, Italy
Wine for Normal People
Dr. Antonio Capaldo, with his brilliance and razor-sharp humor, joins me to discuss the beautiful wines of Campania, Italy -- one of my all-time favorite regions. He is the Chairman of Feudi di San Gregorio and shares his insights on the region, its appellations, what makes the land and grapes special, and the bright future Campania has ahead of it.
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Ep 336: Santorini, Greece and it's divine white of Assyrtiko
Wine for Normal People
Santorini is one of Greek wine's guiding lights. The wines from this ancient volcanic island are unlike any other – exhibiting fullness, smoky minerality, and acidity that you won’t find elsewhere. The whites of Assyrtiko are among the best Greece has to offer. The fascinating history and legacy of viticulture will transport you to this lovely Mediterranean paradise. In this show, we take you on the ultimate armchair travel destination: the island of Santorini, a Greek paradise!
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Ep 335: The Grape Miniseries-- Gewurztraminer
Wine for Normal People
Gewurztraminer is one of the most distinctive grapes and makes one of the most overtly perfumed, full bodied whites in existence. The lychee, rose, citrus, incense, and smokey notes can be intoxicatingly fantastic or WAY too much. We discuss the grape's origins, its diva personality, and how to get the best wine for you based on the style you prefer.
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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