Meroi
BACKGROUND
For more than a century, the Meroi family has been a caretaker of the land and people in and around the small village of Buttrio in Italy’s Friuli region. Paolo Meroi now runs the 3rd generation restaurant, Trattoria al Parco, as well as his family’s vineyard holdings, wine production, and hotel. His day often starts around 4am when he gets to the winery or vineyard sites depending on the time of year. At around noon, he heads to the family restaurants where he runs the grill like a true master and then after lunch it’s back to the vineyards. Dinnertime sees Paolo once again at the grill until midnight or 1am and so another day turns in Buttrio. He is as tireless in his energy as he is exacting in the pursuit of greatness in his wines.
The original Meroi vineyard holdings were purchased in the early 1900s by Paolo’s grandfather Domenico and account for most of the wineries small production. The winery produces a number of single-vineyard bottling of both reds and whites from the original Dominin vineyard and the Zitelle vineyards Duri and Barchetta blocks purchased more recently in 2004. The Zitelle blocks are shared directly with their neighbor and legendary Friuli cult producer Miani. When Paolo first purchased this site, he did an extensive survey and divided Zitelle into 9 plots each planted to the varietal best suited to the micro-climate and exposure of the hillside. The first Zitelle offering were released in the 2013 vintage. These single-vineyard offerings are produced in extremely small lots of 600 – 1000 bottles depending on vintage and include Sauvignon Blanc, Malvasia, as well as Refosco, Merlot, and Chardonnay from the original Dominin vineyard. All production is organic and sustainable both in the vineyards and in the cellar.
Meroi wines are marked with incredible elegance and texture. They are both voluptuous and statuesque with clean racy acidity that often belies the density hidden just beneath the surface tension. The greatest and utmost care is taken to work with each varietal in a dedicated and passionate way, respecting the terroir and particular aspects of each micro-plot.
The single-vineyard offerings of Zitelle and Dominin are stunning mono-varietal representations of Merlot, Refosco, Chardonnay, Sauvignon, and Malvasia. These wines are all rarely produced each vintage as only the most perfect selections are designated for these reserve bottlings. Both reds and whites are best if cellared for at least 5 years and after 8-10 years begin to reach their peak performance.
The WIne
Meroi wines are marked with incredible elegance and texture. They are both voluptuous and statuesque with clean racy acidity that often belies the density that hidden just beneath the surface tension. The single-vineyard offerings of Zitelle and Dominin require patience but are well worth the effort. Both reds and whites need a good 8-10 years to reach their peak performance. Both sweet offerings are extraordinary examples of rare and ancient indigenous grapes. Truly captivating Verduzzo and eminently complex Picolit are both textbook and tantalizing.
Pinot Grigio Colli Orientali Friuli Buttrio DOC
Pinot Grigio finds elevation and balanced structure with Meroi’s example being one of the best on the block. Here this most planted white Italian variety is played by a veritable white wine maestro and the result is stunning. As a young wine we find it precocious and striking with finely knit fruit that somehow bursts with rich, ripe acidity. Wonderful after 5 years cellaring and will absolutely exceed all expectations at the dinner table.
Grape Variety: Pinot Grigio
Zone: Buttrio
Soil: Eocene Marl
Training system: Guyot
Exposition: East
Altitude: 110masl
Age of vines: 20 years
Vinification: The grapes are soft-pressed and fermented with selected indigenous yeast
Refinement: Aged for 11 months in 100% used barrique (2nd and 3rd passage)
Vine density: 6000 vines/hectare
ABV: 14%
Sauvignon Blanc Colli Orientali Friuli Buttrio DOC
Friuli is famous for Sauvignon Blanc and Meroi is easily perched at the top of the A list. This wine is created from fruit located in the Dominin vineyard which enjoys full sunny southeast exposure and fresh cooling evening breezes. This combination along with the rich Buttrio terroir creates the perfect recipe for vivacious and intensely mineral Sauvignon Blanc with lush tropical fruit notes with savory cut dried lavender, rosemary and lemon basil reflections.
Grape Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Zone: Buttrio
Vineyard: Vigna Dominin
Soil: Eocene Marl
Training system: Guyot
Exposition: Southeast
Altitude: 120masl
Age of vines: 30 years
Vinification: The grapes are soft-pressed and fermented with selected indigenous yeast
Refinement: Aged for 11 months in 50% new barrique
Vine density: 8500 vines/hectare
ABV: 14%
Chardonnay Colli Orientali Friuli Buttrio DOC
Meroi Chardonnay arrives from the Dominin vineyard and in the very best vintages a Dominin Chardonnay is produced along with the classic bottling. Chardonnay from Meroi is statuesque and multi layered with delicious ample exotic yellow, white, and ripe stoned fruits engaged with a dynamic mineral core of crushed rock, Siberian graphite, and smoky Himalayan salt.
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Zone: Buttrio
Vineyard: Vigna Dominin
Soil: Eocene Marl
Training system: Goblet
Exposition: South
Altitude: 120masl
Age of vines: 30 years
Vinification: The grapes are soft-pressed and fermented with selected indigenous yeast
Refinement: Aged for 11 months in 100% new barrique
Vine density: 6500 vines/hectare
ABV: 14.5%
Friulano Colli Oriental Friuli Buttrio DOC
Against the backdrop of the misty Buttrio hills, the grapes that take the name of the entire region are afforded their best exposures and steepest vineyard slopes. Friulano is produced in many styles with the best being sleek and refined, built on a balance of powers; ripe acidity, voluminous fruit, strident minerality. Because the wine has so much power and intensity it must be handled carefully or the result can be preposterous. Paolo tames this grape like no other with Meroi’s version being a truly outstanding effort showing off every one of the best attributes of Friulano.
Grape Variety: Friulano
Zone: Buttrio
Vineyard: Vigna Dominin
Soil: Eocene Marl
Training system: Guyot
Exposition: Southwest
Altitude: 110masl
Age of vines: 40 years
Vinification: The grapes are soft-pressed and fermented with selected indigenous yeast
Refinement: Aged for 11 months in 50% new barriques
Vine density: 7000 vines/hectare
ABV: 14%
Ribolla Gialla Colli Oriental Friuli Buttrio DOC
In talented hands, this indigenous Friulian white varietal is another national treasure. Paolo captures the delightful spectrum of flavors from deep rich hazelnut to crisp Apennine green apple. The supple texture is bound on a granular level with the lofty flavors keeping everything keenly and gracefully aligned. A marvelous and expressive wine that enjoys 5-8 years cellaring (or longer) remains lithe and spry for 20 years or longer depending on vintage. Wonderful with aged cheeses, roasted almonds, indigenous honey, cured sardines, duck prosciutto, pigeon, partridge, quail, and other small game fowl smoked or grilled.
Zone: Buttrio
Soil: Eocene Marl
Training system: Guyot
Exposition: East
Altitude: 140masl
Age of vines: 20 years
Vinification: The grapes are soft-pressed and fermented with selected indigenous yeast
Refinement: Aged for 11 months in 30% used barrique (2nd and 3rd passage)
Vine density: 6000 vines/hectare
ABV: 14.5%
The Meroi Picolit and Verduzzo are also important bottlings of these rare and ancient indigenous grapes. Truly captivating Verduzzo and eminently complex Picolit are both textbook and tantalizing. These wines are a labor of love and made in very tiny amounts. Picolit often requires the grapes of up to 10 plants to produce a single 500ml bottle.
Picolit Colli Orientali Friuli DOC
Grape Variety: Picolit
Zone: Buttrio
Soil: Eocene Marl
Training system: Guyot
Exposition: East
Altitude: 110masl
Age of vines: 20 years
Vinification: The grapes are soft-pressed and fermented with indigenous yeast Refinement: Aged for 30 months in 100% used barrique (2nd and 3rd passage)
Vine density: 6000 vines/hectare
ABV: 12%
Verduzzo Friulano Colli Orientali Friuli DOC
Grape Variety: Verduzzo
Zone: Buttrio
Vineyard: Vigna Dominin
Soil: Eocene Marl
Training system: Guyot
Exposition: East
Altitude: 110masl
Age of vines: 20 years
Vinification: The grapes are soft-pressed and fermented with indigenous yeast
Refinement: Aged for 30 months in 100% used barrique (2nd and 3rd passage)
Vine density: 6000 vines/hectare
ABV: 12%