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 selected by sommelier Rie Matsuki x Chateau Mercian Fuefuki Koshu Gris de Gris 2017

Mercian, a top Japanese wine company, is making unique wines using Koshu grapes from Fuefuki, Yamanashi Prefecture. Orange wine is a new category that is currently attracting attention. The name comes from the color of the wine. Also called amber wine.

Orange wine actually dates back 8000 years to Georgia. In Georgia, wine was made by putting uncolored white grapes together with their skins and seeds in jars (qvevri) and marinating them. Normally, white wine is made by fermenting only the grape juice, so the wine does not have any color. However, by fermenting the fruit while soaking it for a long time, as in the case of orange wine, not only does the color develop, but the aromatic components and astringency that are abundantly hidden in the fruit skin dissolve into the wine.

``Fuefuki Koshu Gris de Gris 2017'' has a gorgeous flavor similar to quince or Darjeeling tea, a faint oak aroma, and a pleasant astringency. There is richness and flavor within the fruitiness. If the season is spring, I recommend pairing it with bamboo shoots or cod bud tempura. This is because the aroma, flavor of vegetables, and bitterness in the food harmonize with wine.

Chateau Mercian Fuefuki Koshu Gris de Gris 2017
Maker: Chateau Mercian
Variety: Koshu
Features: This product won a silver medal at the world's most prestigious wine competition, the International Wine Challenge, held in London. Furthermore, Mercian is now a top-ranked Japanese wine, with the ``Hokushin Left Bank Chardonnay Rivalis 2017'' winning the gold medal. Master of Wine Kenichi Ohashi has been appointed as a brand consultant, and his advice from the perspective of world standards has made the winery even more appealing.
Price: XNUM X yen (tax included)
http://www.chateaumercian.com/

Rie Matsuki
Sommelier　Born in Aichi Prefecture. He moved to France in 2006 after working with Taillevin and Robuchon. He studied under Enrico Bernardo, the world's best sommelier, in the south of France, and then worked as a sommelier at a starred restaurant in Paris for six years. After returning to Japan, he worked as a sommelier at Oriental Tokyo before becoming independent. Currently, Caplan is a lecturer at wine schools such as the Wine Academy. He is a JSA Certified Senior Sommelier and WSET Level 6 Certified. He is boldly researching wine pairings for casual meals.