{"product_id":"chateau-mercian-muscat-bailey-a-yamanashi-2021","title":"Château Mercian Muscat Bailey A, Yamanashi 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“Muscat Bailey A” is a Japan’s indigenous grape variety born by crossing Bailey and Muscat Hamburg. It has been widely grown in Yamanashi Prefecture since its creation in 1920.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"main\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"full\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"title\"\u003eProduction\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMuscat Bailey A is thick-skinned and late budding and grown on overhead trellis. The grapes are harvested by hand and fermented in stainless steel tanks for about 14 days. The wine is then split in to two portions, half is aged in tank and half in oak barrels for 17 months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"half makefullwidth\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"title\"\u003eTasting notes\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wine is a brilliant ruby colour. Fresh aromas of red fruits such as raspberries and strawberries, sweet aromas reminiscent of cotton candy, and notes of vanilla derived from barrel fermentation are blended together. The wine is well-balanced with a vibrant acidity and soft tannins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"title\"\u003eFood match\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYakitori chicken skewers, grilled pork or pasta in a light tomato sauce.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"half\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sidebar\"\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"heading\"\u003eABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e11.5%\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"heading\"\u003eCase\/Bottle Size\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e75\u003cspan\u003ecl\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"heading\"\u003eRegion\/Country\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYamanashi, Japan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"heading\"\u003eGrape\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMuscat Bailey A 100%\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"heading\"\u003eClosure\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eScrew Cap\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"heading\"\u003eWinemaker\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMitsuhiro Anzo\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"heading\"\u003eAppellation\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYamanashi\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"heading\"\u003eAllergen info\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eContains sulphites and no other allergens\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"container-inner\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"two-col-inner\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"half full-img center-align-content\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/boutinot.com\/manufacturer\/medium\/7810_S.jpg\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"half full-stack left-align-content\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"desc-inner\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMeet the Producer\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs grapes were never indigenous to Japan all grapevines had been introduced to the region with the movement of the spice route and silk roads over 2,000 years. It is believed that about 1,300 years ago grapevines were introduced to Japan where the climate was too hot, cold, wet – too extreme – to grow grapes for wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUltimately the existing grape variety most successfully grown in Japan became known as Koshu, which was the then name for the prefecture in which it grew. This prefecture then took the name of a Japanese prince and became Yamanashi, which remains the principal region producing Koshu. Responsible today for 40% of all Japanese grown wine grapes, it is believed to be the naturalised hybrid of a Georgian grape variety. Ampelographers continue to isolate the DNA of Koshu, but we do not actually know, outright, its source. What we do know is that it is a lurid pink on the vine, generally grown in the local tana method (overhead bamboo trellis).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChâteau Mercian grows Chardonnay, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, whilst experimenting with Albarino, Mencia and others, and has always shared its long experience of producing wine in Japan with every other producer in the region. Château Mercian is the oldest established winery in Japan, starting out in 1870 having sent two young men to France to understand wine making in the European tradition. Indeed the descendants of these two men are still growing Koshu for Mercian today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKoshu, like many things Japanese, is all about subtlety of flavour, texture and the wine being part of a greater organoleptic experience than the wine itself, so imagine drinking this with a slurpy bowl of hot yum from a chilly noodle shop in the hills. It's part of the whole, not the whole, therefore the fruit is not overt, it's more about texture, acidity and finish rather than outright fruit flavour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"container-inner  producer-sustainability-slice\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"two-col-inner\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"half full-stack left-align-content\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"desc-inner\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eA Note on Sustainability\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the very beginning of Japanese wine making, Château Mercian has continuously taken on the challenge of introducing new cultivation methods and vinification techniques, sharing new methods with other wineries, contributing to the development of Japanese wine and raising the standard of the Japanese wine industry. Chateau Mercian aim to revitalise grape production areas through developing people and unused land, creating jobs and providing an environment where rare plant species can make a comeback. Local children are given the opportunity to experience agriculture in the vineyards to ensure that wine making techniques will continue and be passed on to the next generation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2005, Château Mercian’s owner, the Kirin Group, announced its participation in the United Nations Global Compact, a voluntary global initiative for companies committed to exercising creative leadership for maintaining responsible business practices and sustainability. Kirin has formulated a CSV (Creating Shared Value) Purpose - a guideline of long-term, non-financial goals that promote sustainable growth. It has highlighted its duty to be a responsible alcohol producer, as well as the themes of health and well-being, community engagement, and the environment as key social issues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Wenlock Cellars","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56444109390168,"sku":null,"price":33.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0936\/2243\/6184\/files\/SME205.png?v=1766411789","url":"https:\/\/wenlockcellars.co.uk\/products\/chateau-mercian-muscat-bailey-a-yamanashi-2021","provider":"Wenlock Cellars","version":"1.0","type":"link"}