Koshu Gris de Gris, Chateau Mercian

WINEMAKER : Chateau Mercian

REGION : Fuefuki, Japan

GRAPE : Koshu 100%

VINTAGE : 2021

ABV : 11%

NOTES : Orange Wine

Koshu is Japan’s fantastic indigenous grape. Long thought to be a descendent of an ancient Georgian grape, it’s unique. Bright pink bubblegum in colour, it’s known for it’s fresh citrus & jasmine notes that makes it work incredibly well with Japanese cuisine, as you might expect. The Gris de Gris from Chateau Mercian, a long standing purveyor of Japanese wine, is a little different. It’s extended 3 weeks skin contact give it a apricot, orangey glow and provides an extra dimension to the wine. It’s stillvery dry but offers up sweet aromas of candied pear, tea and touches of vanilla. It’s complex and something to really be admired! Apart from Japanese food, it works well with things with a bit of starch and earthy, umami notes. Saag Aloo in particular is worth a try.

 

WINERY & PRODUCTION

Chateau Mercian stand proud as the oldest producing wine estate in Japan since 1870. Koshu itself goes back thousands of years having moved into Japan during the development of the spice routes and Chateau Mercian have the history to get the most out of it. First sending 2 people to France to learn Western wine producing techniques, their descendants are still producing wine today. The grapes spend 3 weeks on the skin and fermentation takes place in stainless steel for 28 days before transferring to oak for 14 days, finished with 8 months in the barrel. The skin contact really adds another dimension and would highly recommend for anyone who has had a bad experience with orange wine before. Crisp white aromatic with texture from the skins and seeds.