Varieties
Our plots of land have the Petit Verdot and Viognier varieties, which are adapting with extraordinary ease to the climate of Jumilla. Petit Verdot is one of the most prestigious varieties of the A.O.C. Margaux, in France, where it is a part of most of the wines in the area. Its growth in Jumilla has shown excellent qualities for a desired outset. The Regulating Counsel for the Product of Origin in Jumilla has approved its inclusion as an authorised variety.
Viognier Viognier is a white grape from the region of Condrieu, in France, where it produces some of the best wine on the planet in the High Rodanne. In Jumilla, in the micro-climate of El Carche, it has adapted itself as well as we had expected it to. Growing at 700 metres above sea level and with the plantation system of espalier, it has been producing a grape and wine which confirms its aromatic and variational potential.
But the soul of Casa de la Ermita, is still Monastrell. A Wine which taken care of in the correct process, with the utmost delicacy in harvesting and elaboration, can and does surprise those who thought they knew everything there was to know about Monastrell. On the experimental plot we have everything (well, most everything), starting with the classics, where we possess the best clones (not all clones of the same variety produce the same quality in wine) and going on to the grapes which had not been experimented with in this part of Spain and in some cases in no other part of the country.
Thus Touriga Nacional, a Portuguese variety which can result in great wines here, or Caladoc, a new French variety whcih has apported great expectancies to those who have cultivated this grape after it was officially offered to wine agriculturers by the French I.N.R.A.
Another variety which we have on our experimental patch of land is Egiodola, of French origin, which promises good wines. We are also preparing the ground for the cultivation of some clones of Cabernet Sauvignon which are not too widely known, after a period of experimentation.
We have recently grafted two varieties, Rousanne and Marsanne, very often grown in the Rodanne, both used in the elaboration of white wines with a high quality.
There is also a variety of German origin which we have included and which, at present, is going through an excellent adaptation to the lands of »El Carche«. This variety is called Gewurztraminer. It is an aromatic white extraordinaire.
Another variety we are also experimenting with at Casa de la Ermita is Malbec, also known as Cot, of French origin. It is reputed in various countries around the world. It produces red wines of perfect structure, with complexity and tannin. It could result in a revelation in climates like that found in Jumilla.
