Meza Wine Club / February 2025
Enthusiast Bubbles
Wine 1: Meinklang Prosa Rose 2023
Located in Seewinkel, a remote enclave on the eastern side of Lake Neusidl near the Hungarian border, Meinklang is more than just a vineyard and winery; it is a fully self-sustaining family farm and eco-community. Inspired by Rudolf Steiner and Goethe, the Michlits family led by Anneliese and Werner Mitchlit took over their family farm over 20 years ago with dreams of a complete agricultural and viticultural project that exists in perfect harmony with nature. They began with organic cultivation, and converted to Biodynamics 10 years later. Long warm days extend into the autumn, an optimal climate for phenolic ripeness. They make their own compost from manure, pomace and plant cuttings, emphasizing living soils in their vineyards. In addition to wine production, they raise cattle (the pride of the farm is not wine grapes but a herd of Angus cattle, which provide manure for fertilizer) as well as many other heirloom crops and wild insect colonies. Their vineyards are surrounded by natural ponds and cover crops of wild herbs and grasses. This combined with the wild insects, bees especially; promote healthy soils and natural pollination for a diverse ecosystem. Wines ferment exclusively with native yeasts and made with minimal intervention. The couple works as minimally as possible in the cellar, allowing only wild or ambient yeasts and adding nothing to the winemaking process.
Tasting Notes: strawberry, cherry; bright and frothy
Pair With: bbq chicken, sushi
Wine 2: Julien Braud Cuvee Ephemere VMQ
Julien Braud is an exciting young winemaker, one of the few next generation winemakers in Sevre et Maine, who has taken over part of his family's estate with the mission of pushing the limits of Muscadet and its identity grape, Melon de Bourgogne. The area in general has seen a decline in producers and vineyards in recent years, but Julien Braud is on a mission to bring emphasis and notoriety back to this area, and so far is undeterred! Not only is he farming sustainably and recently certified organic, he brings a quality-minded approach and a sense of whimsy to an otherwise neglected area. His wines effectively over-deliver in quality at their modest price points.
A celebration of Melon de Bourgogne, the emblematic variety of Muscadet. Produced in the traditional method presents great tension with a deep mineral core, delicate mousse, and generous finish.