Maurer – Orion 2022
Mezes Feher
Serbia, Fruška Gora
The Mezes Feher grape, once a Central European favourite, was nearly wiped out by Phylloxera in the 19th century. Oszkár Maurer is the hero behind its resurrection, playing a crucial role in bringing this nearly forgotten varietal back to life.
Today, he remains one of the few winemakers crafting wine from this rare grape.
Despite its tendency to ripen early, Maurer hand-picks these grapes in late October, allowing noble rot to affect part of the harvest. The grapes undergo fourteen days of skin contact, followed by aging under flor* in beeswax-sealed old oak barrels, untouched for more than a year.
The wine displays a deep orange hue with golden undertones, exuding a mysterious, smoky character. Aromatically, apricot, dried fruits, and hints of yuzu dominate the initial impression. As the wine opens in the glass, floral notes, hay, and acacia honey emerge, adding layers of complexity.
On the palate, there’s a captivating interplay of pine resin, salted caramel, and candied orange zest, forming an irresistible flavour marriage.
Bright, lively acidity and silky tannins provide the perfect framework for this extraordinary wine.
*Flor is a veil of yeast that develops on the surface of wine during oxidative aging, a process most famously used in the production of Sherry. The flor protects the wine from excessive oxidation while imparting distinctive nutty, yeasty, and sometimes salty characteristics. In Maurer’s Orion, the flor contributes to the wine’s complex aroma profile and adds a subtle, savory edge that beautifully complements the fruit and floral notes.
