Mersel 'Rising Phoenix' Orange Merwah
Dimane > Qannboubine Valley > North Lebanon
Merwah, 2022
Phoenix Merwah comes from the rise of the Lebanese national bird, the Phoenix. The firebird that keeps rising, using its passion and determination to try something new. Mersel is one of the first wineries in Lebanon to produce a completely natural, organic wine that is free from additives and that is unfined and unfiltered. This wonder, made by rad producer Mersel, is made from Merwah, an indigenous Lebanese varietal, from 150 year old vines, farmed organically, planted above 5000 feet! Literally the definition of heroic viticulture. After a three week fermentation on the skins, the wine is pressed to neutral barrels and stainless steel. Mersel was founded by two mothers, with the support of their husbands. The idea was to experiment with unique tastes and showcase to the world that women, children and families can work together to produce something distinctive. They’ve been proven right with that attitude.
Dimane > Qannboubine Valley > North Lebanon
Merwah, 2022
Phoenix Merwah comes from the rise of the Lebanese national bird, the Phoenix. The firebird that keeps rising, using its passion and determination to try something new. Mersel is one of the first wineries in Lebanon to produce a completely natural, organic wine that is free from additives and that is unfined and unfiltered. This wonder, made by rad producer Mersel, is made from Merwah, an indigenous Lebanese varietal, from 150 year old vines, farmed organically, planted above 5000 feet! Literally the definition of heroic viticulture. After a three week fermentation on the skins, the wine is pressed to neutral barrels and stainless steel. Mersel was founded by two mothers, with the support of their husbands. The idea was to experiment with unique tastes and showcase to the world that women, children and families can work together to produce something distinctive. They’ve been proven right with that attitude.
Dimane > Qannboubine Valley > North Lebanon
Merwah, 2022
Phoenix Merwah comes from the rise of the Lebanese national bird, the Phoenix. The firebird that keeps rising, using its passion and determination to try something new. Mersel is one of the first wineries in Lebanon to produce a completely natural, organic wine that is free from additives and that is unfined and unfiltered. This wonder, made by rad producer Mersel, is made from Merwah, an indigenous Lebanese varietal, from 150 year old vines, farmed organically, planted above 5000 feet! Literally the definition of heroic viticulture. After a three week fermentation on the skins, the wine is pressed to neutral barrels and stainless steel. Mersel was founded by two mothers, with the support of their husbands. The idea was to experiment with unique tastes and showcase to the world that women, children and families can work together to produce something distinctive. They’ve been proven right with that attitude.
Grape: 100% Merwah
ABV: 12%
The Story: Lebanon is among the oldest places for wine production in the world. Today Mersel continues this legacy with the same passion that the Phoenicians had centuries ago, exporting to the world best quality wine from the land of the cedars. Lebanese people are warm and hospitable, they open their hearts and homes and welcome those around them. Mersel wanted to create wines that fit with the Lebanese character, wines that are for everyone to enjoy, and wines that help local farmers. Their philosophy is to keep it simple - wines are made naturally, with very little or no sulfites. Wines are organically farmed, unfiltered and unfined, resulting in simple fermented wine. With a strong message of social justice Mersel Wine goes beyond production to reach others through giving back to our society. The brand values focus on empowering women, being all-inclusive regardless of sex, ethnicity, status, religion or background.
Fruit for The Phoenix is picked in the 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 extracting tannin and phenolic compounds. 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. Due to its elevation, temperature at the winery reaches -5 degrees celsius consistently in winter, allowing for natural cold stabilization of the wine. Malolactic fermentation occurs in Spring, before the wine is bottled in May. Much like all Mersel wines, this babe is free from additives and unfined/unfiltered.
Personality: 3 weeks on the skins deliver us notes of dried apricots and orange rind, with glimmering acid. Ripe apricot, a touch of oxidative funk, and some piercing acidity. Not overly grippy and bitter, there's just a sense of bitterness at the back of the palate.
Harmony: Orange wines are among the most food friendly on the planet, lean into the citrus notes and consider tangy and spicy - kung pao chicken, candied yams.