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[Nishimurayama, Yamagata Prefecture] Asahimachi Wine Castle is like a French winery! You can sample 40 varieties for free

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Asahimachi Wine Castle is a winery with a Western-style landscape. The castle stands in front of a vineyard grown using hedges, a rare method in Japan. You'll feel like you're in a foreign country

At Asahimachi Wine Castle, you can sample 40 different types of wine for free. It's a must-see for wine lovers. Those who come by car can also drink fresh grape juice, which is also very popular

Located just a few minutes down a side street from the main road, the quiet atmosphere matches the atmosphere of the castle and vineyards. The green grass and colorful roses and other flowers create a pleasant landscape

Many people who aren't particularly fond of wine enjoy the Western-style scenery here, making it a very popular tourist spot

Asahimachi Wine is a product that Japan is proud of

Asahimachi Wine has been in business for over 70 years. They only use grapes grown in Japan, mainly in Yamagata. Their wines are particularly highly rated among domestic wines

It is a representative Japanese wine, having won an award at the 2017 Japan Wine Competition and being served to leaders at the G7 Ise-Shima Summit, where Japan served as the chair country

You can see the bottling process

You can actually see the bottling process. It's rare to find a place where you can see the process in detail, from sticking labels to closing caps

At Asahimachi Wine Castle, approximately 10,000 bottles of wine are bottled each day to ensure quality

You can sample grapes in the fields

Wine grapes are harvested in the fall, so by summer the berries are quite large. If you visit the vineyards, you can actually taste the grapes

I noticed that they were completely different from the grapes I usually eat. They were very sour. Wine grapes are completely different from the ones you see in supermarkets

It's invaluable to be able to experience the difference for yourself

Grape juice is also popular

The grape juice you can buy as a souvenir is also made from grape juice used to make wine, so it is different from regular grape juice

The grape juice from Muscat Bailey A, which is grown for red wine, is very popular. The philosophy is that if the grape juice is not tasty, the wine made from those grapes will not be tasty either

Many people are captivated by the fresh, pleasantly tart taste that sets it apart from regular grape juice. This is recommended not only for those who can't drink wine, but also for those who visit specifically for the wine

Dry brandy is also popular

The brandy "Espoir Takano," which is made by distilling Asahimachi wine and aging it for 10 years in French barrels, also has many fans

This brandy is aged in the majestic natural surroundings of the Asahi Federation, known as the Alps of Tohoku, and is characterized by its rich, warm flavor

The amber-colored liquid has a captivating fragrance. It's relatively affordable at 1,885 yen for 180 ml

Highly recommended Asahimachi wine

Merlot

Their flagship Merlot, "Meister Selection Cuvee Merlot," is very popular. It's very high quality despite being reasonably priced at 3,455 yen

The label features a wine castle, making it a perfect souvenir. This wine won a silver medal at the 2017 Japan Wine Competition

This wine is also made with great care, and a special process called cold maceration is used to bring out the color and aroma, which involves fermenting the wine at low temperatures for a certain period of time before fermentation

It is aged for 10 months in small French oak barrels before being bottled, resulting in a very strong fruity flavor of wild strawberries and raspberries, along with a subtle oak aroma from the barrels

The tannins are also finely tuned, making this a product that I would highly recommend to Merlot lovers

Zweigeltrebe

For those who prefer dry wines, we recommend the Meister Selection Cuvée Zweigeltrebe. This wine is made from Zweigeltrebe grapes grown on the company's own hedges, and is also vinified using cold maceration

The spicy aroma of black pepper is appealing. It's also popular because it's affordable at 3,455 yen, the same as the Merlot. It won a bronze medal at the 2017 Japan Wine Competition

A wide variety of 40 wines available for tasting

The shop sells over 40 different types of wine, categorized by type, including dry and sweet, red, white, rosé, fruit wine, and sparkling wine, making it easy to choose your favorite

Compare the differences between Japanese and Western varieties

A particularly popular activity is comparing domestic and Western varieties. Asahimachi Wine is produced exclusively from domestic grapes, mainly in Asahimachi. Like the Meister Selection introduced earlier, it is characterized by being relatively light and easy to drink

This winery utilizes its vast land to cultivate its own Western varieties, which have a very deep flavor that is completely different from domestic varieties

It's very rare to find a place where you can taste and compare 40 different wines. Be sure to enjoy the wines that interest you to your heart's content. Many of them are inexpensive, so if you buy something that catches your eye, you can look forward to opening it later

Summary of Asahimachi Wine Castle

Asahimachi Wine wins many awards at the Japan Wine Competition every year. It is highly acclaimed, yet affordable and affordable

Asahimachi Wine Castle is charming with its idyllic scenery, and just visiting it is soothing. The wines are beautifully displayed in the shop inside the castle

Not only is it delicious, but the bottle design has also been carefully considered, with cute "wine fairies" on the label and cap. Just placing it on the table will add a touch of color to your table

This is a must-visit spot when visiting Yamagata. Take in the scenery and aroma of wine and take home your favorite bottle

INFORMATION

  • Name: Asahimachi Wine Castle
  • Address: 1080 Otani Takano, Asahi-machi, Nishimurayama-gun, Yamagata Prefecture
  • Phone number: 0237-68-2611
  • Official URL: http://asahimachi-wine.jp/

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