Producer · Valencia, Spain

Al-Muvedre

Al-Muvedre is a Monastrell from Alicante, made by Telmo Rodríguez together with his partner Pablo Eguzkiza. They started the project in 2001 after a trip that showed them a hidden world of forgotten old vines.

Alicante has a long history. In the 16th century its sweet wines stood alongside the best sherries and ports, but the good times ended when phylloxera finally arrived and sweet wine fell out of fashion. The old Monastrell vines, also called Mourvèdre, stayed.

The grapes come from organic vineyards around Villena, on chalky limestone at 500 to 700 metres. They are picked by hand, fermented with wild yeasts and aged in steel tanks. Expect ripe bramble fruit, wild herbs and a soft, spicy finish, at a very fair price.

Monastrell · £13.49 a bottle