[Fukushima] Hidden gems too! ! The appeal of wine born from Fukushima's rich nature

When it comes to famous wine-producing regions in Japan, many people probably think of prefectures like Yamanashi, Yamagata, and Nagano.
However, did you know that wine is also brewed in Fukushima Prefecture, and that wine grapes are also grown there?
In this article, we would like to introduce some wines that you should definitely try if you visit Fukushima.

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[Niitsuru Chardonnay] Chateau Mercian

This is a high-quality white wine made from grapes grown in the Niitsuru region (Aizu region).
According to Château Mercian's materials, the Niitsuru region, a sunny, well-drained hilly area ideal for grape cultivation, has long been home to Chardonnay, a grape variety used for white wine. However, the grapes were often damaged by heavy autumn rainfall. Thanks to the efforts of growers, they were able to protect the grapes by installing unique rain protection equipment, which allowed them to produce high-quality grapes.

The Niitsuru Chardonnay 2015 pictured here is, of course, 100% Chardonnay from the Niitsuru region. While only about 6,750 bottles were produced, the mellow, rich flavor and aroma are truly mellow. This is a bottle we recommend to wine lovers

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INFORMATION

URL	http://www.chateaumercian.com/wines/district/niitsuru_chardonnay.html

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[Ikkei] Fukushima Farmers' Dream Wine

"Fukushima Farmers' Dream Wine" is a small winery that was started by a group of farming men in Nihonmatsu City who planted grape vines on abandoned farmland with the dream of revitalizing the local area through grapes. It has
only been six years since they started planting grapes, so they are not yet able to produce a wide variety or number of bottles, but last year they were able to produce a unique, handmade wine.

"Ikkei" is a wine made from 100% Yama Sauvignon (a cross between wild grapes and Cabernet Sauvignon) grown in the Tozawa district of Nihonmatsu City
This is an easy-to-drink medium-bodied wine that combines the flavor of Cabernet, a typical red wine variety, with the wild taste of wild grapes
You can buy them at roadside stations like Fukushima Towa and Adachi Chieko no Sato. However, there are only a few of them, so you'll be lucky if you manage to find one!

INFORMATION

name	Fukushima Farmers' Dream Wine Co., Ltd
address	181-1 Shiraishi, Kobata, Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture, 964-0203
telephone number	0243-24-8170
GOOGLE MAP

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Bailey A Red Wine (Aizu) - Wine Workshop Aizu

Wine Studio Aizu is a small winery located in Inawashiro.
What makes it unique is that it mainly uses glass barrels for fermentation and aging. Inside the winery, you can see rows of glass barrels like this.

Wine made using this method has a clean taste because it contains no ingredients other than fruit. You can fully enjoy the flavor of Fukushima grapes.
We recommend the red wine made with Bailey A, a wine grape variety unique to Japan that is grown in Aizu. It has a gorgeous aroma and a clean taste. This wine was also served at the luncheon for the 7th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting held in 2015.

Another must-try is the wine made from wild grapes grown at the foot of Mount Bandai in the local town of Inawashiro. Wild grapes are rich in iron and polyphenols

At Wine Studio Aizu, you can tour the workshop without making a reservation. However, reservations are required for groups of 10 or more people

INFORMATION

name	Honda Winery Ltd. Wine Studio Aizu
address	3-7 Chiyoda, Inawashiro-machi, Yama-gun, Fukushima Prefecture, 969-3133
telephone number	0242-62-5500
URL	http://www.hondawinery.co.jp/
business hours	10:00-18:00 (until 17:00 during winter) Closed: Mondays and irregular holidays
GOOGLE MAP

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Fukushima wine is becoming even more exciting

Thanks to the efforts of producers, Fukushima wine is steadily improving in quality.
If you haven't tried it yet, be sure to give it a try! You'll be able to experience the richness of Fukushima's food.

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