NIPPON NATURALS
日本ナチュラルズ
Grapes: Riesling, Kerner, Gewürztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc, and a small amount of Pinot Noir
Type: White
Style: Dry, medium-bodied
Color: White
Alcohol: 11.5%
Wild yeast: Yes
Any added sulphites: 15 ppm
Filtered: No
Serving temperature: 10°C
Production: 1,900 bottles
Please store in a cool, dark place.
Tasting notes
Aromas of lemon, Japanese citrus (like hassaku), and grapefruit, accompanied by quince, white peach, ginger, lemongrass, herbs, and mineral notes. The blush wine also contributes nuances—after opening, hints of red fruits, nectarine, and plum will gradually appear. (Further bottle aging is expected to mellow these red fruit notes and enhance the wine’s structure.)
Food pairing
Pairs well with fresh, acidic dishes—such as grilled fish or yakitori seasoned with sudachi or lemon, and raw oysters. With aging, it will complement a wide range of Japanese cuisine and beyond.
Winemaking
This wine is a blend of 2023 Chardonnay from contract growers in Fukuihara and estate-grown
German varietals (including Riesling, Kerner, Gewürztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc, and others),
which were co-fermented and aged in a large 500L oak cask. A small amount of estate-made
blush wine made from Pinot Noir and other red varieties was added just before bottling.
The 2023 vintage saw record-breaking heat and a dry autumn. While these conditions led to
high sugar and ripeness levels, they also raised concerns about acid retention in white varieties.
To address this, the contract-grown grapes were harvested both early and late, and the estate-
grown German varieties were picked 1–2 weeks earlier than usual to retain acidity. Despite the
high sugar levels (most grapes exceeded 20% Brix), the resulting wine is a sharp, well-balanced
vintage led by acidity.
The harvested grapes were de-stemmed and lightly crushed, followed by a brief maceration and
then spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel tanks. Some of the late-harvested contract
grapes were pressed as whole clusters. The wine was then transferred to large oak casks to
continue fermentation and aged for about eight months.
Producer
