Mourvèdre, Monastrell, Mataro — a grape of many names 
If you enjoy powerful, full-bodied, high-tannin red wines, Mourvèdre is a grape well worth your attention. You may already know it, though perhaps under a different name. Mourvèdre is the French name for this variety, and in France it is best known as a component of the famous southern Rhône blends, commonly referred to as GSM blends—after the first letters of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. It is also the backbone of the powerful red wines of Bandol in Provence. Under this same name, the variety is now known in the United States, South Africa, and several other countries. In Spain, the grape’s homeland, it is called Monastrell. In Portugal and Australia, it goes by the name Mataro. And these are only the three most widely used names—this variety has an astonishing number of synonyms, as if it were deliberately hiding that it is the same grape. Indeed, for centuries Mourvèdre / Monastrell / Mataro lived in the deep shadow of other, more fashionable varieties. Only now is it gradually stepping into the light.
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Colter’s Creek Winery, Idaho
What comes to your mind first, that Idaho is mentioned? Most people think about potatoes. I did too. However, potatoes are not the only thing that Idaho can be proud of.
Every (every!) state of the US produces wine for better or worse. However, except for California, Washington, Oregon, and New York more often for worse than for better.
In Hawaii, they grow a small plot of Pinot noir as high as they can (still it is too hot for grapes, and it feels bad), and bring some grapes from California. Wine isn’t worth a good word, but, still, they produce wine om Hawaii.
So, I realized that Idaho state should produce some wine, but never thought about it.
This summer I worked in eastern Washington, a few miles from Moscow, Idaho. One day, my friend took me to her favourite Moscow tasting room. I thought it belonged to some Washington winery (although
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Walla Walla. September visit.
At the end of September, we traditionally visited East Washington to try something new.
В Walla Walla we tried three wineries.
Moonbase Cellar
Small family winery. Laine and Drew Pauk founded it only in 2017. Before they did completely different things, but fell in love with viniculture, moved to Washington, and founded the winery. They don’t have their own vineyard yet and buy grapes from the vineyards of Walla Walla AVA and two small unique AVAs.
The tasting room is operated by the owner, and it was very interesting to talk with him. Well, mainly to listen to him only, because as soon as we started to talk, the big and bold company appeared and requested all his attention. So, normal dialogue became impossible, but we heard his inspiring vinicultural speech. He is a fan of wine education and always tries to bring more info to the clients. He uploaded his short educational movie
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