Monastrell clonal selection in Provence

The Chamber of Agriculture of the French department of Var, in the Provence Mediterranean, has two “academies” grape varieties where it works to maintain genetic material.

They are in Saint-Cyr sur Mer and Bormes-les-Mimosas. In the first, it is where 93 different clones of Monastrell are preserved.

Although hectares of Monastrell in France are only 9,200. and is the 19th variety in representation, in this area is considered very important for the characterization and expression of their wines. Therefore they are dumped in studying the behavior of clones and their influence on the organoleptic status of each wine.

In the accompanying study, for example, we can see some results on Monastrell rosé wines. The clones come from Spain and have been cultivated in this collection implanted in the area of ​​AOC Bandol. There some clones that have expressed a better organoleptic behavior than the rest.

Above them, they have valued the precocity, vigor, fertility, performance, sensitivity to putrefaction, acidity, alcohol potential level. From experimental planting with 17 clones and 3 clones known as “témoins” they rose wines have been some who have been judged by a committee of experts.

In the selection, the jury appreciated the clone E286 for having the best agronomic, winemaking and organoleptic potential. The same has been approved and permitted its approval within the AOC (Appellation d’Origine).

Furthermore clone 1069 was the most appropriate for red Monastrelles. With a low production potential, this clone has good wealth in sugar, therefore, an overall high degree of potential alcohol. At the tasting, the wines made from this clone are well structured and show a strong aromatic intensity fruity, spicy and slightly empyreumatic.