Natural wine has no uniform definition. It is a general term used to describe artisanal wine made using organically and/or biodynamically grown hand-picked grapes which are vinified with little or no intervention. Winemakers often rely on indigenous yeast to catalyse natural fermentation, avoiding the use of any chemicals, additives or sulphites.
The result is wine which is alive, energetic, vibrant and unexpected – a welcomed contrast to the industrial practices of the wine industry.
Name of Estate/Domaine:
Mersel
Vintage: 2020
Tasting Notes
You can either go with the winemaker's note: "This wine is okay, try it!", or you can go with: Merwah is a key part of a recent renaissance of white wine production from indigenous varieties in Lebanon. If you love Semillion then you'er gonna love its light citrusy charachter and nutty flavors.
Country & Region
Lebanon - Qannboubine Valley (1,600m)
Terroir:
Dimane, Qannboubine Valley - North Lebanon (1,600m)
Indigenous Merwah vines, over 150 years old
Viticulture:
- Picked in middle of October and crushed into 2-proportional lots, then fermented in stainless tanks and amphoras.
- The wine is fermented on skins for 3 weeks, the cap is gently broken by hand a few times a day, and is then racked off skins in the middle of November into half neutral barrels and half stainless tanks.
- The temperature at the winery reaches -5 degrees celsius, consistently in winter, allowing for natural cold stabilization of the wine.
- MLF happens in Spring, the wine is bottled in May.
Food Pairing
Lentil lemon soup, Chicken shish kebab with tabbouleh.
