You’re Invited – A Virtual Wine Journey to Spain’s Region of Murcia, Home of Monastrell

Are you ready?  Show your passport and join me for the next few weeks on a virtual journey to Murcia on the southeast coast of Spain. Boasting 3000 hours of sunshine a year and plenty of culture (trust me, that includes wine!), Murcia was the perfect venue for eight (and one was me!) wine-loving writers and bloggers to learn about the region, its delicious Monastrell, and the passion of those who live for and love their wine.

Invited by Michael Matilla, Director, ARGOS/Kraynick and Associates, Inc,  sponsored by Instituto de Formento de la Region de Murcia (INFO), and organized by Mariapaz Lopez Alcantud of INFO, our group, self described as the Murcia8 (see below for links), spent four fabulous days in June visiting wineries and restaurants, meeting and getting to know those who are proud of their wines, immersing ourselves in cultural activities, and savoring every minute.  I am indeed appreciative of the dedication and hard work accomplished before, during, and after our media trip and grateful for the opportunity to embrace the culture and wines of this memorable region.

 You, too, will be able to experience a bit of our journey by following the itinerary below and, naturally, sipping some Monastrell!  Ahhh, but wait~

What is Monastrell?

Many interchange the words Mourvedre with Monastrell and consider it the same grape, but please don’t do that when you are in Spain (or elsewhere for that matter).  Monastrell expresses the soil and growing conditions of the region and therefore has subtle nuances different from Mourvedre which is grown extensively in the Rhone region of France and yes, in other areas.

Having travelled throughout the Region of Murcia and specifically to the Designated Origins (D.O.) of Yecla, Jumilla, and Bullas, I appreciate the topography of the mountain ranges, plains, and desert like lowlands as well as the unique terroir and  climate which provide outstanding growing conditions for the Monastrell grape, a dark colored red variety which grows in small, compact clusters of thick skinned berries.  The vines grown in stony, sandy clay and limestone are impervious to drought as well as botrytis bunch rot and are well suited to the dry, semi-arid conditions of this area in Spain.  Monastrell is late to bud and ripen and in general, this wine with its intense color and aromas of blackberries and other dark fruit, will offer a burst of more fruit, full body, strong tannins, structure and high alcohol after that first sip.

Thanks to differing winemaking techniques, the wines I tasted throughout the visit expressed the climate and terroir of the area as well as the creativity of each winemaker – whether it was a blend of Monastrell with complementing varieties,  a fresh Rose, or a young Crianza, Reserva, Natural Sweet or Fortified, or Sparkling wine.

Monastrell is the fourth most planted red wine variety in Spain and in Murcia, Monastrell comprises over 50% of plantings.  Prior to the trip, I had never tasted Monastrell  which I have learned to love and enjoy~

 Our Virtual Multi-Sensory Wine Journey to Murcia

Let’s go!

 **Each Monday beginning August 5 I will publishing an article with topics such as the wineries we visited and their unique characteristics, an interview or two with a winemaker or winery owner, restaurants where we savored  incredible wine and food pairings, my favorite wines with tasting notes, cultural events we loved, or photos and anecdotes you may enjoy!  Please comment on these articles which I hope you find entertaining and informative!  I would love to hear your thoughts~

**If you are on Twitter, use the hashtag  #MonastrellMonday beginning Monday, August 5.  In a brief tweet or two share with the Twitterverse which Monastrell you have found and your thoughts.  And if you can’t find any Monastrell at your local wine shop, use the hashtag to ask questions and offer information others may find interesting!

**On Wednesdays beginning August 7, I will offer a traditional (yet simple) recipe from Murcia with a wine pairing you may enjoy.  Trust me, comments will be welcome after you try the recipe yourself!

**Links to any articles posted by my Murcia8 colleagues will be on my Facebook page, Grape Experiences beginning this weekend.

**Culminating our virtual journey to Murcia will be a Twitter Tasting of Monastrell on Wednesday, September 25 with Tina and GUY of Protocol Wine Studio.  By logging on to Twitter at 6pm Pacific Time and using the hashtag #winechat, you will be able to “talk” with me, my Murcia8 colleagues, and others about everything Monastrell.

You won’t have to pack your bags for this trip…but perhaps you’ll want to pour yourself a glass of delicious Monastrell to enjoy during our journey to this interesting and enticing area of Spain.  Add these dates to your calendar and consider your passport stamped.   I’ll “see” you on Monday, August 5!

Cheers to Grape Experiences! ~ Cindy

The #Murcia8 Wine Bloggers/Writers

Mary Cressler, Jill Crowley, Robert Dwyer, Beth Fontaine, Amy Anderson Gross, Ward Kadel, Meg Houston Maker,

Cindy Rynning