Premium Japan has been paying attention to and introducing the potential of Japanese wine for some time. In this series, we have selected ``Japanese wines under 5,000 yen that you want to relax and drink on the weekend.'' Mr. Rie Matsuki, who is popular as a sommelier and wine school instructor, will be selected as the selector, and he will suggest dishes that he would like to pair with. We hope you will find your favorite among the wide variety of Japanese wines.

If you think rosé wine is sweet, please wait a moment. The rosé wine boom is currently sweeping the world. In fact, products like this Momoiro, which has a light color, is dry, and has a light taste, are leading the way.

Rosé wine is often thought of as a by-product of red wine production, but it is extremely difficult to determine the balance between its beautiful color and flavor. However, it is truly a leading Japanese wine company. By consolidating collective knowledge and experience, we create wonderful rosé wines at affordable prices.

``Momoiro'' is a light and dry drink. It has a taste that you can easily drink, and a charming aroma with a sweetness similar to cherries, pomegranates, and cotton candy. The light pink color like cherry blossoms is also beautiful.

When it comes to rosé wine, it is generally paired with charcuterie dishes such as prosciutto. ``Momoiro'' is light and dry, making it easy to drink, but surprisingly goes well with dishes that have a slightly stronger flavor. For example, shrimp chili. The lightness of the sweet and salty sauce and the crispy texture of the shrimp are complemented by the fruit flavor of the wine and the crisp peppery flavor. Momoiro also goes well with refreshing spicy dishes like tandoori chicken.

As the cherry blossom season approaches, I find myself craving rosé wine. When I lived in Paris, I would often go to the Parc de Sault in the suburbs of Paris in the spring to see the cherry blossom trees in full bloom. When I look at this gorgeous pink rosé wine, I remember the happy days when I was nostalgic for Japan and drank a lot of rosé wine with my friends while having sandwiches in hand.

Chateau Mercian Momoiro 2019

Maker:Chateau Mercian Katsunuma Winery
Location:Koshu City, Yamanashi Prefecture
Variety:Muscat Bailey A, Merlot
Characteristic:``Hokushin Left Bank Chardonnay Rivalis 2017'' won the gold medal at the world's top wine judging event ``International Wine Challenge'' held in London. In the ``World Best Vineyard Award 2020,'' which determines the world's best wineries, ``Château Mercian Wanko Winery'' was ranked 30th in the world, the best winery in Asia. 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.

Dishes you want to pair with:It is often paired with salty foods such as charcuterie, but it also goes well with ethnic dishes such as chili shrimp, fresh spring rolls, and tandoori chicken. Try it.

Price: 1,991 yen (tax included, reference price)

Rie Matsuki
Sommelier　WSET® Level 4 Diploma, ASI World Sommelier Association Certified International Sommelier Diploma- Gold. He moved to France in 2006 after working with Taillevent Robuchon and others. He studied under Enrico Bernardo, the world's best sommelier, in the south of France, and then worked as a sommelier at a star-rated restaurant in Paris for six years. After returning to Japan, he became a sommelier at Oriental Tokyo before becoming independent. Currently, Caplan is working as a lecturer at wine academies and other institutions, and is also involved in activities to popularize wine, such as explaining wine in the official theater pamphlet for the play ``Sideway.'' The play "Sideway" is scheduled to be performed at the Tokyo Metropolitan Theater from March 6th to 3th.