Japanese wine, which is produced domestically using 100% grapes grown in Japan, has undergone remarkable evolution and is attracting attention from around the world. As ``Japanese wine'' begins to awaken and undergo a paradigm shift, three wine authorities will carefully select and introduce 3 bottles that you should experience now.

Japanese wine x Kisvin Pinot Noir 2016 selected by sommelier Rie Matsuki

There is a legend in the wine world who sadly passed away last year. Gerard Basse holds many titles including Master of Wine. When Basse visited Japan in 2017, he drank the 2015 Pinot Noir and immediately posted his impressions on social media. Needless to say, it quickly became a Cinderella wine.

Basse even told brewmaster Mayu Saito that he wanted to buy them all. It was the first vintage of the company's attempt to make wine using Pinot Noir, which is said to be difficult to grow in Japan.

``Pinot Noir 2016'' is the year Mayu Saito says, ``It was a year of experimentation and a year in which we decided on a direction.'' I also visited Kisvin frequently over the years, and watched it mature.

The expression changes as it twirls in the glass, so be sure to drink it slowly. At first, it has a concentrated cassis liqueur-like flavor and a solid astringent backbone. When exposed to a little air, a mature aroma similar to black tea appears, with a slightly acidic and delicate taste. As time passes, the richness of the fruit returns as the nutmeg-like spices come to the fore.

You can enjoy the wine on its own, but when I paired it with the seared bonito in ponzu sauce, it was a perfect marriage of smoky aroma, flavor, and acidity. Please try it.

Kisvin Pinot Noir 2016
Maker: Kisvin Winery / Brewer Mayu Saito, Representative Yasuhiro Ogiwara
Variety: Pinot Noir
Features: Started brewing as a winery in 2013. The high-quality grapes of Ogiwara, a third-generation viticultural farmer, and the winemaking of Saito, which brings out the potential of those grapes, have steadily increased the number of fans, and are now featured in three-star restaurants and foreign luxury hotel dining rooms. It has grown into a popular winery.
Price: 16,200 yen (tax included/according to editorial department)
http://www.kisvin.co.jp