Mourvèdre is a big, gamey red wine that likely originated in Spain, before becoming internationally recognised as a Rhone Valley varietal. Most famously, it is used in “GSM” blends in the Southern Rhone, with Syrah and Grenache. It adds significant tannins, color and longevity to the blend.
Mourvèdre is firmly on the big and rich end of the red wine scale. It has classic dark fruit flavours of plum, blackberry and blueberry, and secondary notes of dried herbs, meat, smoke and flowers. Red wine of this stature is a natural pairing for heavy meats, but Mourvèdre will also be fantastic with a variety of strong cheeses and filling vegetables.
Meat That Pairs Well With Mourvèdre
With Mourvèdre, match the inky color of the wine with dark red meats like lamb, beef, venison or veal. High protein foods will help to absorb a lot of the wine’s tannins, while the high acidity can cut through plenty of fattiness.
Meaty dishes with those classic Rhone “Herbes des Provence” such as rosemary, thyme or tarragon are a classic choice for a meaty, herby Mourvèdre. Consider a herby lamb dish. To accentuate the meaty, savory side of the wine, think about an ox-tail soup or a beef stew.
Cheese That Pairs Well With Mourvèdre
The same rules that apply to meat can be applied to cheese. High protein and fat are a boon, and most cheeses fit the bill. You should also look for cheeses with plenty of flavour, to stand up this punchy wine.
Aged and smoked cheeses are a great choice, as they bring some extra pungent notes. Smoked Cheddar, smoked Gouda, or aged Provolone are great choices. You can go for more hard, crumbly Italian cheeses such as Parmesan, Pecorino or Grana Padano. Gloucester, Muenster and Manchego are also great names to look out for.
Appetizers That Pair Well With Mourvèdre
Mourvèdre is a great wine to enjoy with a charcuterie board, as it packs in a lot of complementary flavours – the fattiness of cheese, the umami flavours of dried meats, and the meaty, briny flavours of olives will all bring out different sides of the wine. Other than that, look for hearty appetizers such as bruschetta with prosciutto, bacon-wrapped dates, or an umami-rich soup.
Vegetarian Dishes That Pair Well With Mourvèdre
Filling vegetables like eggplant are great matches for Mourvèdre, as is anything with lots of herbs. Baba Ganoush is a great way to bring out the wine’s fruity flavours. You can try to emulate the umami flavour of meat, by cooking with soy sauce or black pepper. A veggie stir fry with plenty of mushrooms is a good choice. You can also look to lentil-based dishes, such as dal with rice, to achieve a level of smokiness in a vegetarian dish.
Herbs That Pair Well With Mourvèdre
Herbs from Provence are the way to go with Mourvèdre, unlocking the wine’s earthy side, and harking back to the Rhone Valley, where it is frequently grown. Try to include some lavender, rosemary, thyme, cumin, black pepper or tarragon in your dish.
Food That Does Not Pair Well With Mourvèdre
Mourvèdre can be quite high in alcohol, so anything too spicy is likely to clash with the wine. You should also avoid seafood in general, as the oil in fish can clash with the wine’s tannins and cause a bitter taste in the mouth.
Best Foods To Eat With Mourvèdre
Mourvèdre is one of the biggest red wines that you can get hold of, so try to pair it with some equally hearty dishes. These are our top 5 recommendations:
- Lamb
- Beef stew
- Baba Ghanoush
- Charcuterie Boards
- Lentil-based dishes
