A confusing term in the wine world is “Mourvedre.” It’s not always clear if it refers to a grape or a wine. The truth is, neither is wrong. Mourvèdre is the name of the grape and one specific style of wine made with this grape – essentially, “Mourvèdre” can mean either Mourvedre or Mourvèdre (the grape).
While you may only see it used for red wines, a white varietal also exists called Mourvedre. This minuscule amount of juice can create an equally interesting and complex table-worthy white wine.
There are plenty of wines made from red grapes, but few wines are made exclusively with white grapes. One exception is the white Mourvedre wine, a richly complex and colorful wine that can be paired with a wide range of foods.
White Mourvedre Wine Overview
White Mourvedre wine is most commonly produced in Australia and California, though France also produces limited quantities of this white varietal.
Other countries have experimented with producing white mourvèdre wines, but these attempts have been less successful due to the limited climate conditions needed for optimal grape growth. In general, humid climates produce more favorable conditions for growing vines.
In terms of taste and appearance, there are no major differences between red Mourvedre wines and white Mourvedre wines. However, the lack of pigmentation does not produce a wine that is as dark or rich in flavor.
By contrast, white mourvèdre wines are generally pale yellow to greenish-white, with each batch having its distinctive appearance. Additionally, this grape is naturally low in tannin, which contributes to its lighter taste and makes it easier for some people to digest.
What Does White Mourvedre Wine Taste Like?
When tasting white mourvèdre wine, look out for aromas of pear, pineapple, tropical fruit with flavors like lemon finished by slightly tart with hints of peach skin. This type of white grape typically has high acidity combined with moderate alcohol levels.
Best White Mourvedre Wine to Try
There are many white mourvèdre wines on the market, but below are the three best examples of this type of white wine currently available. As a bonus, it is worth noting that each bottle also comes from California or France.
Eleven Mourvedre White 2013 – This wine is made by South Coast Winery in Temecula Valley, California, under their Eleven label. After being fermented for nine days in stainless steel tanks, the juice underwent fermentation once again for ten days in oak barrels to achieve more flavor and complexity. This process yielded a very aromatic wine with flavors of pear and fig combined hints of citrus while still maintaining a tart finish.
Dirty & Rowdy Skinner White Oak Flats Mourvedre 2013 – This wine is made by Dirty & Rowdy Winery in Paso Robles, California. It has a pale golden yellow tint and tropical aromas of pear combined with notes of white grapefruit and hints of vanilla from the oak barrels used to produce this wine. The taste combines flavors like pineapple and lemon while still maintaining a tart finish.
Joseph Filippi Pride of Cucamonga White Mourvèdre 2013 – This wine is produced by Joseph Filippi Winery in Rancho Cucamonga, California, under their label Pride of Cucamonga. Fermentation started in stainless tanks under temperature control for three days until malolactic fermentation was completed. The wine underwent ten months in French oak barrels to add more complexity while maintaining the tart finish. This white Mourvedre wine has aromas of tropical fruit like pineapple with hints of citrus and other fruits like pear, apple, and peach combined with flavors like lemon and lime.
Best Food Pairings for White Mourvedre Wine
When pairing food with white mourvèdre wines, it is important to consider the varying characteristics found within different wines produced from this grape varietal.
However, below are some general guidelines that should be considered when pairing food with any white Mourvedre wine:
Pork – Pork dishes tend to pair better with red wines, but they are an ideal companion for a white Mourvedre as well. Pork chops, pork tenderloin, ham, and bacon will go with medium-acidic but light-bodied white Mourvedre to balance the smoke, salt, and sweetness.
Pasta – Mourvedre and pasta go hand to hand and the combination is something that you can’t afford to miss. The wine tastes great with mushroom risotto or creamy pasta dishes.
Pesto pasta, normal pasta with greens, fresh tomatoes, lemon, and olive oil, or ravioli with tomato sauce can taste fantastic with a glass of white wine.
Shellfish – The light taste of this wine is a perfect match for seafood. Seafood is also an easy and quick dish to prepare, which makes it ideal when entertaining friends in the warmer months. Prawns or Shrimp skewers are a great summer dish to enjoy with white Mourvedre.
Ample acidity: To offset the slight sweetness that may be present in a white mourvèdre wine, pairing it with food with ample acidity can help cut out some of the sweetness. This will also help balance the flavors found in this type of grape.
Low tannins: White mourvèdre wines are naturally low in tannins, meaning they generally have a lighter taste than red Mourvedre wines. Because of this, it is important to consider pairing white Mourvedre wine with light dishes that are not too overpowering.
Dryness level: While all-white mourvèdre wines produced today tend to be dry, there are still examples of added sugar used during production. When pairing food with these sweeter tasting wines, select dishes that are savory enough to prevent the wine from becoming too sugary.
Is White Mourvedre Sweet or Dry?
All white mourvèdre wines produced today tend to be dry. However, some wineries have used sugar during production, so there are examples of slightly sweeter tasting white Mourvedre wines on the market.
When buying a bottle of white Mourvedre wine, it is important to consider whether one prefers sweet or dry wines since all types of this grape varietal are not produced in any other way.
How is White Mourvedre Made?
White mourvèdre grapes are grown just like red mourvèdre grapes. After being harvested and crushed, the juice is fermented in stainless steel tanks under temperature control for several weeks to months, depending on acidity and the grapes used.
Following fermentation, the wine is then bottled and allowed to age. Some wineries use oak barrels or neutral oak barrels during production to add more flavor complexity.
Summary
The white Mourvedre is a dry, refreshing wine with high acidity.
This fruity and floral-scented grape variety has been grown in France for centuries and has recently gained popularity due to its versatility in food pairings.
Try pairing this crisp white varietal with salty cheeses, light Mediterranean cuisine, or even hardy fish dishes like salmon or halibut. With more than one type of Mourvedre available today, you can find your perfect match no matter what kind of dish you’re cooking up.
The next time you need to brush up on your knowledge of wines or want something new at dinner that will delight all of your taste buds.