Chardonnay 2021, 12.5%, 750 ml

The village of Takayama, in Nagano Prefecture, close to the Japanese Alps, is a mountainous farming village blessed with a beautiful and rich natural environment, with the Matsukawa Valley and the unique landscape of mountain villages spreading out like a fan, and has a long history as a fruit-growing region.

Chardonnay, a grape variety native to this region, was introduced in 1996 with the idea of “producing the world's finest wine.” The grapes began to be supplied to wineries outside Nagano Prefecture, and their high quality was quickly recognized. The number of people engaged in viticulture gradually increased, and the vineyard in Takayama Village, which covered about 3 hectares, expanded to 64 hectares in 2022, with 34 winegrowers.

Grapes grown in Takayama Village, Nagano Prefecture, are vinified in wineries in the village and elsewhere, and regularly win top prizes in wine competitions in Japan and abroad. The natural environment and winegrowers of this region are attracting increasing interest. Year 2021 was blessed with an early spring, a long summer, and a mild autumn.

The village's Chardonnay grapes reached a high level of maturity. While tasting the grapes during his weekly tours of the vineyards to determine the harvest dates, winemaker Eiichi Takano was surprised and delighted to find that the grapes in many vineyards had ripened to the seed, and his heart raced with anticipation.

Cool mornings and evenings and sunshine during the day allowed the grapes to ripen properly while retaining their acidity. Grapes harvested from relatively old vines were fermented and aged in barrels. Wine harmonizes the richness and vanilla aromas of the barrels with the fresh notes of yellow fruit from the grapes fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks.

The blend of distinctive grapes grown in different vineyards in the varied climatic zones of the village of Takayama creates a harmonious flavor. For this 2021 Chardonnay, the aromas are clean and frank, with fresh citrus fruit (lemon peel and zest) and green apple and yellow pear, with a slight toasted note, not to mention the vanilla aromas from the barrels with fresh notes.

The attack is soft, then a slight bitterness and lively acidity balance out from the mid-palate. The pleasant acidity and slight bitterness linger and conclude the whole. We like the slight hint of minerality. The texture is oily, with lots of tropical fruit and slightly creamy flavors.

The finish is bright, with a lovely hint of lime cordial and balanced acidity. The wine harmonizes roundness and pairs well with creamy or butter-based dishes. Produced in the cool climate of the village of Takayama in Nagano, this 2021 Chardonnay reflects the elegance of the Japanese alpine terroir.

Grown at high altitudes, the grapes benefit from a long ripening season, with warm days and cool nights that preserve vibrant acidity while allowing rich, expressive fruit to develop.

Serve in a large glass to appreciate the aromas that develop and the flavors that evolve over time. This 2021 Chardonnay pairs well with dishes featuring creamy ingredients (veal blanquette, poultry with cream) or butter (fish with beurre blanc, fish meunière, etc.). Ideal serving temperature: 54-61°F.