Description
Country & Region: Japan, Okayama (Niimi)
Grape Varieties: 95% Chardonnay, 5% Chenin Blanc, Koshu, Sémillon, Auxerrois and Pinot Blanc
Winemaking: Harvested from early to mid-October from 4-12 year-old Chardonnay vines planted on south-west-facing slopes on a limestone karst plateau at 400 metres altitude. The other five varieties, grown on trial in the same vineyard, were also harvested at the same time and vinified together. After destemming, the grapes were soaked in stainless steel tanks on the skins without crushing and macerated for 25 days. During this time, punched down three times a day every eight hours. After a slow and careful pressing with basket press, the wine was matured in neutral French oak barrels for nine and half months before bottling. Released after approximately five months.
