MONASTRELL RED WINE

When it comes to iconic and flavorful wines, Monastrell red wine from Jumilla stands as a titan in the world of viticulture. Nestled in southeastern Spain, the Jumilla region has been producing wine for centuries, but it’s the Monastrell grape that truly captures the essence of this unique terroir.

In recent years, wineries like Bodegas Viña Elena have been turning heads with their exceptional Monastrell terroir-driven wines bringing a new level of appreciation to this age-old tradition.

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Unveiling the characteristics of Monastrell red wine

Monastrell red wines are renowned for their bold flavors and rich textures.

These wines often display an opaque purple color, hinting at the intensity to come. When you pour a glass, you’ll be greeted by aromas of black fruit and spice, setting the stage for a sensory experience unlike any other.

However an increasing number of producers are aiming to create more subtle and delicately flavored wines, with an abundance of fruit. These wines are designed to be more aromatic, balanced, and easy to drink, while also providing a long-lasting finish to enhance enjoyment.

Monastrell red wine from Jumilla

The Monastrell grape, or Mourvèdre as it’s known in France, is a gem of the Mediterranean. It thrives in the hot, arid climate of Jumilla, where it enjoys abundant sunshine and draws sustenance from the area’s distinctive soil.

This singular blend of elements gives the Monastrell grape a distinctive character, producing wines rich in flavor and complexity.

Bodegas Viña Elana commitment to Monastrell

Bodegas Viña Elena, a name that embodies quality and tradition, is a generational winery nestled in the scenic Jumilla region. The winery is dedicated to honoring the land’s legacy while innovating to produce exceptional wines. Viña Elena Wineries prioritizes crafting terroir-expressive wines, a concept that highlights the unique geographical, geological, and climatic features of a region, which imbue the wine with distinctive flavors and aromas. The winery finds that Jumilla’s continental Mediterranean climate, nutrient-poor stony soils, and high-altitude vineyards create ideal conditions for cultivating Monastrell grapes.

Bruma del Estrecho: A Journey into Terroir-Driven Monastrell Red Wines

Nestled among the undulating hills of Jumilla, Spain, lies Bruma del Estrecho de Marin, a distinctive vineyard collection. Under the sun’s warm embrace, the Monastrell grape flourishes here, renowned for its appealing personality and ability to yield outstanding Monastrell red wines. Yet, Bruma del Estrecho is not merely a vineyard; it is a labor of love led by Elena Pacheco and Isio Ramos, committed to creating premium Monastrell wines that embody the spirit of their terroir.

The Monastrell Red Wine Collection

Familia Pacheco Organic Monastrell Red Wine

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An unoaked red wine made from 100% Monastrell organic grapes in Jumilla, Spain.

Medium-bodied with a ruby hue.

Clean and expressive aromas of red berries, spices, and chalk.

This wine is easy-drinking, fruit-forward, and well-balanced, serving as a fine example of an unoaked Monastrell.

Versatile and food-friendly, it pairs beautifully with tapas, salads, rice dishes, and baked or grilled fish like salmon, turbot, and sea bass.

Additionally, it complements Thai, Chinese, and Japanese cuisines exceptionally well.

Paraje Marín Monastrell Red Wine

The Viña Elena winery is situated in the Estrecho de Marín area, a valley flanked by two majestic mountains: “Rajica de Enmedio” to the east and “Solana Sopalmo” to the west. This region within the Jumilla DO is known for being the warmest and driest, where efforts are focused on cultivating balanced, fresh grapes, defying expectations of over-ripeness.

Our vineyards are strategically positioned on both valley slopes. The eastern vines, with less sun exposure, lend freshness, minerality, and elegance to the wine. Meanwhile, the western vines, bathed in abundant sunlight, impart the characteristic maturity and warmth of the Monastrell grape.

These vines are pruned in the traditional goblet style and planted with a conventional spacing of 2.8×2.8 meters.

They thrive in permeable, stony soils that retain the region’s limited rainfall. To withstand the harsh drought conditions, the vines send their roots deep into the soil, seeking the scarce moisture hidden below.

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Parcela Vereda Monastrell Red Wine

Monastrell Terroir wine Jumilla Bruma - Parcela Vereda

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This parcel, named Vereda, is bordered by an old cattle trail once used for driving bulls, with a notable gap separating it from the neighboring vineyard. Though no longer in use today, the trail remains a historic feature. The distinctive characteristic of this plot is its two distinct soil types. One section is a slope with white, calcareous, and nutrient-poor sand that infuses the wine with a saline quality. At the slope’s base, slightly cooler clay-like soil deposits are found. Wine from this plot offers enjoyable fruity notes and good acidity. However, the acidity is somewhat concealed by a prominent salinity that stands out on the palate.

Finca CQ Monastrell Red Wine

Finca CQ, short for Casa Quemada, lies in the Término Arriba area of Jumilla, at an elevation of 700 meters. Shielded by the eastern shadow of Sierra de la Cingla and Peña Rubia to the north, this valley boasts a varied landscape with diverse soil types and aspects. Here, 47 hectares of Monastrell grapes, averaging 32 years old, flourish and mature. Over the past seven years, we’ve undertaken a substantial vineyard recovery project. Within each identified geographical unit of the Finca, we performed five soil tests to assess texture, composition, and solar radiation intensity. Our studies unveiled a broad spectrum of soils, ranging from deep, sandy soils rich in organic matter and low in active lime, to heartier clay soils with green marls, and others with sandy limestone conglomerates. The Finca also encompasses sloping areas with low water retention and zones along the Rambla de la Cingla’s margins, where sediment deposits form deeper soils with higher water retention. The resulting wine is a blend from various plots within Finca Casa Quemada, predominantly north-facing, with diverse soil types (limestone, iron-rich, and marl) and textures (clay, sand, and stony).

Monastrell red wine jumilla Bruma - Parcela Vereda

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Sustainable and Environmental Winemaking Practices

Central to Viña Elena’s philosophy is a strong commitment to sustainable viticulture, focusing on both environmental conservation and consumer health. This dedication is clear in their mission to produce wines free of synthetic chemicals, while promoting biodiversity and safeguarding the natural ecosystems surrounding their vineyards.

Monastrell Red Wine Terroir-Focused Winemaking Approach

At Viña Elena, winemaking is anchored in the principle of terroir, highlighting the distinctive qualities imparted to the grapes by the soil, climate, and landscape. By minimizing artificial interventions, they aim to craft wines that authentically express the land’s character and heritage.

If you’ve yet to explore Monastrell red wine from Jumilla, now is the perfect time. Seek out a bottle from a reputable producer like Bodegas Viña Elena, and share in the delight that comes from this extraordinary grape. Whether enjoyed on its own or paired with your favorite dish, Monastrell promises a wine experience that’s profoundly memorable.