Domaine Houchart Cotes De Provence 2010 750ml

Winery: Domaine Houchart

Varietal: Mourvedre

Mourvèdre is a fascinating and ancient grape varietal, thought to have been introduced to Spain by the ancient Phoenicians over two thousand years ago. Since then, it has found a home in many regions of France, and has gone on to be a key grape varietal in the New World, where it is often blended with Grenache and Syrah varietals to make a beautifully rounded and balanced red wine. The Mourvèdre grape itself is renowned for holding a complex set of flavours, which are often described as meaty or gamey, with plenty of bramble fruit notes. As such, they are often served with dark meats, and are enjoyed in many countries across the globe. The grapes are not the easiest to cultivate, as they require plenty of sunshine alongside well irrigated soil. However, their quality and unique attributes mean that wineries all over the globe continue to persevere with this special varietal.

Region: Provence

There are few places in the world quite as evocative as Provence, famed across the globe for its cuisine and wine culture which stretches back through history for over two and a half thousand years. Ever since the ancient Greeks came to this Mediterranean region of France, it has been prized by several cultures for its fantastic viticultural potential, and remains an important and popular wine producing region to this day. Provence is most famous today for its rosé wines, most commonly made with the Mourvedre varietal grapes which grow in abundance on the rolling hillscapes of the region. Helped by its beautiful Mediterranean climate, Provence proves itself time and time again to be a reliable producer of wonderful rosé wines, as well as characterful red and white varieties packed full of flavor and history.

Country: France

French winemakers are subjected to several laws and regulations regarding the wines they produce, and how they can be labeled and sold. Such procedures are designed to increase the overall quality of the country's produce, and also to ensure that wines made in each particular region or appellation are of a character and type which is representative of the area. Thankfully for consumers of wine world-wide, the French have a particularly high reputation to uphold, and seem to do so flawlessly. Every year, wineries from all over France produce millions upon millions of bottles of fine wine, making the most of their native grape varieties and the excellent terrain which covers most of the country. From the expensive and exquisite red wines of Bordeaux and Burgundy, to the white wines and cremants of central France, the French are dedicated to providing the world with wines of the highest quality and most distinctive character.