Zenbei, the highest quality wine made only in years when the grapes and aging are of the highest quality, will be released next month on the 7th at the winery Iwanohara Budouen in Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture.
Zenbei” is a premium red wine made only in years when the grapes, vinification, and aging are of the highest quality. It is named after Zenbe Kawakami, the founder of Iwanohara Budouen, and was first released in 1986.
Mr. Ueno, Chief Brewing Engineer, Iwanohara Budouen
Darker color. The deeper the red hue, the better the quality of the grapes. Fruity, with a hint of aged oak.”
The grapes used as raw material were harvested two years ago. The grapes were smaller this year due to the lack of rainfall, but from August onward, nighttime temperatures dropped, increasing sweetness and astringency by 1.5 times compared to previous years. In addition, pruning was done to limit the number of bunches per branch to one, thereby concentrating nutrition and flavor.
In the vinification process, three types of grapes, mainly Muscat Baily A, a variety created by Zenbe Kawakami, were blended and aged for one year and three months.
Zenbei 2022 will go on sale next month on the 7th, limited to 3,600 bottles of 720 ml for 16,500 yen (tax included).
It will be sold at the wine store and online store of Iwanohara Vineyard in Kitagata, Joetsu City, as well as at liquor stores in and outside of the prefecture.
Address:
Tel: 025-528-4002
Access: <Car> 20 minutes from Joetsu Myoko Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line
URL: http://www.iwanohara.sgn.ne.jp/