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

When you think of Japan's famous wine-producing regions, many people probably think of prefectures like Yamanashi, Yamagata, and Nagano.
However, did you know that wine is also produced in Fukushima Prefecture and that wine grapes are also grown there?
This time, I would like to introduce some wines that you should definitely try when visiting Fukushima.

[Nitsuru Chardonnay] Chateau Mercian

This is a high quality white wine made from grapes from the Niitsuru district (Aizu region).
According to Château Mercian's documents, the Niitsuru area is a sunny, well-drained, hilly area suitable for growing grapes, and the white wine grape ``Chardonnay'' has been cultivated for a relatively long time. However, the heavy rainfall in autumn often caused damage to the grapes. Through the efforts of the farmers, the grapes were protected by installing their own rain protection equipment, and high-quality grapes were now produced.

The Niitsuru Chardonnay 2015 in the photo is, of course, 100% Chardonnay from the Niitsuru area. The number of bottles produced is about 6,750, which is not a large number, but the mellow and deep taste and aroma are exactly what the word mellow describes. This is a recommended bottle for those who like wine.

INFORMATION

[Ikkei] Fukushima Farmer's Dream Wine

``Fukushima Farmer's Dream Wine'' is a small winery that was started by elderly farmers in Nihonmatsu City who planted vines on abandoned farmland with the dream of regional revitalization through grapes.
It's only been 6 years since we started planting grapes, so we haven't been able to produce many types or quantities, but last year we completed a unique handmade wine.

``Ikkei'' is a wine made from 100% Yama Sauvignon (a cross between Yama grape and Cabernet Sauvignon) grown in the Tozawa area of ​​Nihonmatsu City.
This is an easy-to-drink medium-sized wine that combines the flavor of Cabernet, a typical red wine variety, with the wild taste of wild grapes.
You can purchase them at Michi-no-Eki Fukushima Towa, Michi-no-Eki Adachi Chieko no Sato, etc. However, there are only a few of them, so those who find them are lucky!

INFORMATION

[Berry A/Red Wine (Aizu)] Wine Studio Aizu

Wine Studio Aizu is a small winery located in Inawashiro.
The unique feature here is that they mainly use glass barrels for fermentation and aging. Inside the winery, glass barrels are lined up like this.

Wine made using this method has a refreshing taste because it does not contain any ingredients other than fruit.
You can fully enjoy the flavor of grapes grown in Fukushima Prefecture. We recommend the red wine made with Bailey A, a unique Japanese wine grape variety grown in Aizu. The gorgeous aroma and refreshing taste are impressive. This wine was also used at the luncheon of the 7th Pacific Islands Summit held in 2015.

Also, be sure to try the wine made from wild grapes grown at the foot of Mt. Bandai in the local town of Inawashiro. Wild grapes are rich in iron and polyphenols.

You can tour the winery at Aizu Winery without making a reservation. However, reservations are required for groups of 10 or more.

INFORMATION

Fukushima wines that I’m looking forward to more and more

The quality of Fukushima wine is steadily improving thanks to the efforts of producers.
If you haven't tried it yet, please give it a try! You can experience the richness of Fukushima's food.