Climate change is an unavoidable reality that is deeply transforming the wine industry. In this context, the Monastrell varietal has consolidated itself as one of the most adaptable grape varieties for hot and dry climates, preserving much of its character where many others can’t. While other grapes lose acidity and complexity at high temperatures, Monastrell needs those conditions to reach optimal ripeness.
Spain’s five Monastrell-growing Designations of Origin (DO Alicante, DO Almansa, DO Bullas, DO Jumilla and DO Yecla) know first had the challenges of growing in a hot climate. Thanks to the combination of natural resources and winemaking experience, they have managed to maintain high quality standards despite the high temperatures in these regions.
Monastrell: A Key Variety in Spain
Rather than drifting into the territory of generic, overripe profiles, Monastrell is capable of producing balanced and nuances wines, even in adverse conditions. The wines produced using our variety are diverse and range from fresh rosés to young, aged and sweet reds. The profiles of these wines allow for the expression of the wealth of different terroirs across the five Designations of Origin of the Monastrell Association, which account for 80% of the surface area cultivation of this variety in the world.
Monastrell’s unique properties make it an ideal variety for producing wines with great ageing potential. The ability to generate musts with aromatic complexity extends the possibilities of creating exceptional wines.
Another key strength of the variety is resistance to water scarcity. Monastrell vines regulate their vegetative growth according to the water availability, maintaining their productivity in periods of moderate drought and recovering quickly after rains. This behaviour, combined with techniques like deficit irrigation allow us to optimise the fruit even in adverse condition.
Winemaking Adaptations in Warm Climates
Monastrell producers have complemented the natural resilience of the grape with innovative winemaking practices, perfected over years. These techniques seek to preserve the elegance and balance of the wines, even in extreme Mediterranean conditions.
One of the most effective strategies is to delay the ripening period of the grapes to avoid coinciding with the summer heatwaves. To do that, many winemakers choose to prune late in winter, which delays ripening to a more temperate time of year. This technique allows for that aromatic balance to be achieved without compromising the fertility or performance of the vines. Other practices include the thinning of shoots after ripening, which improves the distribution of water on the plant and reduces the concentration of sugar in the grapes, for a fresher profile.
A Template for the Future
As the global wines industry faces the challenges of climate change, the example offered by our 5 Designations of Origin becomes more and more important. With a naturally adapted variety and decades of experience, they’ve shown that it’s possible to maintain high quality production in difficult climate conditions.
The teachings of Monastrell for winemaking in warm climates not only highlight its resilience as a variety, but offer a guide for the future of the wine industry.
In a world of constant change, capacity to adapt will, undoubtedly, be a key factor in success.
