Index
1- Monastrell
The wines of the Monastrell variety have seen significant growth and demand in recent years. It will be because of its rusticity and adaptation to increasingly hot climates, but the truth is that very rich things are being done with this variety.
2- Origin of the variety
The variety of monastrel vine is cultivated mainly in the province of Murcia , in the town of Jumilla.
3- Synonyms:
Monastrell is also known by one of these names:
Mourviedro, Murviedro, Mataró, Alcayata, Gayata, Morastell, Morrastrell, Garrut, Monastrell de la Gayata, Espar, Flouron, Trinchiera, Rossola, Balzac, Baltasar.
4- Properties of the monastrell grape
Bunches
- The clusters of the monastrell variety are medium-large in size.
- Conical and sometimes winged.
- High compactness.
- Of uniform berries, with a very marked stylar scar.
- Peduncle very short and well lignified.
Berries
Monastrell grapes are medium to small in size.
With bluish-black epidermis, spherical profile, difficult to detach from its peduncle.
Skin
The skin of the monastrell is thick and consistent. With a lot of bloom.
Pulp
The pulp is colorless, soft and juicy, somewhat sour and rough.
Leaves
5- Strains of the Monastrell variety
-The strains of the Monastrell variety are of medium-high vigor.
-Very vertical bearing ,
– Late sprouting and ripening .
-Good fertility and moderate production .
6- Characteristics of monastrell.
- Variety well adapted to drought but demanding in high temperatures. It needs high average temperatures to obtain a good maturation.
- It requires suitable soils to mature well.
- It is very sensitive to wood diseases especially l to tinder and eutipiosis, but is very sensitive to excoriose.
- Sensitive to mildew and powdery mildew.
- Not very sensitive to botrytis , although it is usually sensitive in late harvests.
- Sensitive to acid rot.
- Very sensitive to cluster moths and mites.
- Little sensitive to wind and cold in spring.
- Sensitive to dry winds, with which early defoliation occurs.
- It requires deep soils .
- With moderate requirements in nitrogen and phosphorus but very high in magnesium in sprouting and in potassium from sowing and until maturation.
- It adapts well to short pruning in glass, on trellises , if the arms are long, vegetation windows are produced and the vines take a lot of vigor at the ends of these arms.
- It does not respond well to early pruning as it forms many clusters and can induce failure or irregularity in productions.
- Very sensitive to herbicide toxicity, especially simazine.
7- Potential of its wines
– Very sugary musts , of good color, with moderate yields. Low acidity.
-Gives alcoholic wines , as long as a mature vintage is carried out, which is when the greatest potential of the variety is uncovered. Capable of producing highly alcoholic, tannic, well-structured and slightly oxidizable wines.
-Very suitable for rosé, young and sweet.
– Strong pigmentation , rough in youth and suitable for aging. It gives very good breeding. Base of the Fondillón wine.
-There are very productive clones, with large, compact clusters of thick berries and of lower quality.
8- Spanish DO where the Variety is grown
- DO Yecla
- OF Alicante
- DO Almansa
- DO Binissalem-Mallorca
- DO Bullas
- DO Calatayud
- OF. Borja Field
- DO Conca de Barberá
- DO Cariñena
- DO Catalonia
- DO cava
- DO Costers del Segre
- DO Empordá
- DO Jumilla
- D.O. Manchuela
- DO Montsant
- DO Penedes
- DO Plá and Llevant
- DO Ribera del Guadiana
- DO Valencia
Other articles that may interest you:
- Get to know the Caladoc grape
- More information about the Garnacha Tinta variety
- Read all about Bobal’s grapes
- Know all the Red Wine grapes
