# Merga Victa Pošip (NV)

- **Producer:** Black Island Winery
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Pošip
- **Region:** Dalmatia, Croatia
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €19
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–12 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** lemon, peach, apricot, pineapple, blossom, bread

## About this wine

Merga Victa takes its name from an ancient Dalmatian dialect phrase meaning 'path for water', referring to freshwater ponds and streams on Korčula island that historically sustained Smokvica's terraced vineyards. Established in 2018 on the site of the historic 1912 Agricultural Cooperative Jedinstvo, Black Island Winery collaborates with 25 local family farming partners across 200 micro-plots to showcase Croatia's premier native white grape variety on the international stage.

## Interesting facts

- Merga Victa means 'path for water', referencing streams that sustained Korčula's terraced vineyards.
- The Pošip grape was discovered wild in a Smokvica forest in 1880 by local farmer Marin Tomašić.
- In 1967, Korčula Pošip became Croatia's very first white wine with protected geographical origin.

## Food pairing

The crisp acidity, stone fruit richness, and saline maritime minerality of Pošip seamlessly cut through rich seafood and buttery sauces while highlighting fresh herbs like thyme and rosemary.

## Wine making process

Grapes are harvested manually in the cool early morning hours of late August to safeguard acidity and primary fruit aromas. After hand-sorting, the fruit undergoes cold maceration for 3 to 8 hours before gentle pneumatic pressing. Fermentation occurs over 3 to 4 weeks at a controlled 15°C in stainless steel tanks, followed by 2 to 5 months of maturation on fine lees to enhance complexity and body before bottling.