Kategori: Light & Elegant Bio-Reds

Alsace

The Family

Located on the hillsides of Dambach-la-ville in the Alsace region of northeastern France, the Mersiol family heritage dates back to the 18th century. The first bottle has been sold in 1946. In 1960, the Estate was expended with the marriage of Guy Mersiol to Anne-Lise Ruhlmann whose family owned an adjoining Estate. These wines are now sold as “Domaine Mersiol”. 12 hectares are now planted; 3.5 of which are classified as Grand Cru Frankstein. All wines are Estate grown, vinified and bottled. Joined by their son Stéphane in 2000, the Estate is now cultivated on an organic way (started in 2006) to extract the delicate minerality from our terroir made out of granite. The family firmly believe that the quality of their wine depends above all on the quality of the vines, they cultivate the vineyards in an ecological way without any use of herbicides, pesticides or any chemical fertilizer. In order to fertilize the soils, they have theuir own flock of sheep that takes cares of the vineyards after the harvest. 100% organic vines & wines (Ecocert certification) their ecological production management system promotes and enhances biodiversity, paying particular attention to the health of the soil. This biodiversity makes for excellent soil structure by providing a complex root system at varied depths. These roots (as well as their breakdown) provide organic material and aerate the soil. This in turn promotes microbial activity.

The Sommelier notes:

[x] During a three-year cycle, we use a tool for mechanically cutting the grass between vines and rows (working on every other row). During the fourth year we then till the soil (also using an “inter-vine” method) in order to avoid too much competition between the plants and the vines. This scheme can be adapted to suit the age of the vines and the type of soil. [x] We only manipulate the superficial layer of the soil to preserve its original structure. In order to maintain the balance achieved, we avoid packing our soil wherever possible (use of light machinery – small crawler tractor, quad bike, low-pressure tyres – and optimization of movement within the vineyards). With the benefit of controlled growth and microbial activity, the vines become less susceptible to parasites. [x] The plants growing in our vineyards – proof that the soil is healthy and well-balanced – are often edible: lamb’s lettuce, Queen Anne’s lace, bear’s garlic, dandelion, horse mint, many-flowered onion, etc. Other plants include clover, vetch, camomile, chickweed, wild tulips, two varieties of daisies, bluebells, cornflowers, poppies, carnations, veronica, wild pansies, violets, etc. [x] Grape variety : 100% Pinot Noir [x] Terroir : granite [x] Vine age : 20 years [x] Surface : 120 ares [x] Density : 4500 vines / hectare [x] Yield : 60 hl / ha [x] Pruning: Double Guyot [x] Harvest: hand picked [x] Viticultural method : Agriculture Biologique (Ecocert certification) [x] Vinification : De-stemmed and crushed. Maceration during 10 day following by the alcoholic  and malolactic fermentation in stainless steel. Maturation in oak tank during 6 month for micro-oxygenation [x] Tasting: An elegant ruby colour wine with dark cherry notes. It is well balance with elegant fruity taste. The structure has a distinctive character with ferme and supple tannins. [x]. Food matching: Pinot Noir reveals all its originality with the red meats, game, roasted, grills, charcuterie, goat’s cheese and Gruyère and also with all tomato recipes (Osso Bucco, Spaghetti Bolognese…) [x] Other info Serve around 12°C. Drinking well now for freshness, but will involve well in bottle a few years. [x] Technical analysis Alcohol : 12,50% vol. Résidual sugar : 0,10g/L Tartaric acid : 4,90g/L