Chateau Mercian, Muscat Bailey A 2021

Château Mercian is the oldest established winery in Japan, starting out in 1870 having sent two young men to France to understand wine making in the European tradition. Indeed the descendants of these two men are still growing grapes for Mercian today.

“Muscat Bailey A” is a Japan’s indigenous grape variety born by crossing Bailey and Muscat Hamburg. It has been widely grown in Yamanashi Prefecture since its creation in 1920. It is thick-skinned, late budding and grown on overhead trellis. The grapes are harvested by hand and fermented in stainless steel tanks for about 14 days. The wine is then split in to two portions, half is aged in tank and half in oak barrels for 17 months.

The wine is a brilliant ruby colour. Fresh aromas of red fruits such as raspberries and strawberries, sweet aromas reminiscent of cotton candy, and notes of vanilla derived from barrel fermentation are blended together. The wine is well-balanced with a vibrant acidity and soft tannins.