Wine of the Month: Juan Gil, Monastrell, 2007
Country: Spain
Region: Jumilla
Pronunciation: Humilla



As with many of the Spanish reds, the Jumilla wines lure you with their deep colors, tempting aromas and delicious taste. So why is Jumilla a lesser known region of Spain? To understand the answer to this, we’ll delve into the region’s history a bit, but rest assured, Jumilla wines are becoming more popular.

Jumilla is a region in the southeast section of Spain and was only granted DO status in the late 1960s. Even after its granted status, it was known for producing stronger courser wines and not considered a favorite. The primary grape grown in this region is Monastrell due to its ability to thrive in the hotter climate./ Many wine producers in the regions blended the Monastrell grape with other more common grapes to make it more amiable to the average palate.

In the late 1980s, Phylloxera hit the region and when it recovered, vintners took it as an opportunity to implement new techniques. By the early 1990s a handful of wineries were slowly learning how to tame this robust grape. To our delight, many more have followed their lead and are now beginning to increase exports to the US.

BASIC STATS

Grape: Monastrell
Vintage : 2007+. Dring young.

Interesting Facts:
(1) Monastrell is the Spanish name for the more commonly known French Grape, Mouvedre.
(2) Planning a trip soon? Ruta Del Vino Jumilla is a wine route for tourists to explore the region and easily visit multiple wineries.

Color: Opaque black cherry with purple tones
Body: Full, smooth, and inviting
Aroma: Initial bouquet of berries, but as the wine breathes, it exhibits a sensual aroma of exotic spices with a hint of nutty scents
Tasting Notes: Delightful berries, plus, and spices and a smooth finish. We recommend letting it breath by decanting for about twenty minutes.
Alcohol: High, 13%-15% (This is due to the grapes ability to ripen in the hot weather which causes their sugar level to increase. This high sugar level translates into higher alcoholic levels during fermentation. Some of the Jumilla wines can be upwards of 18%!

Price Range: $15-$20

Alternative Winery Suggestion: Olivares, Monastrell, “Altos De La Hoya”, 2008
Daisywine Food Pairing Recipe: Spanish Tortilla
Alternative food suggestions: Gazpacho or paella

No Comments »