Nagano Wine Region

Japan · GI · Nagano Prefecture

Back to Japan appellations

Yamanashi / Nagano | Japan

Nagano Merlot / Chardonnay GI Wine Guide

Japan's Burgundy — mountain-fresh, Merlot and Pinot of real elegance

Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, ChardonnayServe 14–16°CAge 5–15 years

Nagano Merlot / Chardonnay wine colour in the glass — Typical colourMedium ruby

Overview

Japan's most exciting wine frontier for international varieties. Nagano's 500–900m altitude, volcanic soils and cool nights produce Merlot and Chardonnay of Burgundian delicacy. Domaine Sogga (Obuse Winery) produces Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that rival fine Burgundy — extraordinary achievements in Japan's challenging, humid climate. The Shinshu terroir is increasingly recognised as Japan's finest for premium wine.

In The Glass

Colour: Medium ruby
Nose: Raspberry, Red cherry, Plum, Violet and Earth.
Palate: Japan's Burgundy — mountain-fresh, Merlot and Pinot of real elegance. Generally medium-bodied, crisp acidity, soft tannins, dry, with a long finish.

Tasting Profile

Body Medium3/5

Tannins Soft2/5

Acidity Crisp4/5

Sweetness Bone Dry1/5

Alcohol Medium3/5

Grapes

MerlotCabernet SauvignonChardonnayPinot Noir

Aromas And Notes

RaspberryRed cherryPlumCitrusVioletEarthSpiceCedarForest floorTobaccoLeather

Terroir

Cool continental — high altitude (500–900m), low humidity, volcanic soils. Wide diurnal range.

Volcanic ashSandy loamAlluvialMountain granite

Food Pairings

Wagyu sukiyakiMatsutake mushroomsSoba with duckMiso-glazed aubergine

Notable Producers

Domaine Sogga / Obuse Winery, founded 1942 - Sogga Père et Fils Pinot Noir
Château Mercian Kikyogahara, founded 1938 - Kikyogahara Merlot
Shinshu Winery, founded 1936 - Chardonnay Reserve

At a Glance

Japan's wine culture is ancient — sake aside, the Koshu grape has been cultivated in Yamanashi since the 8th century. Today Japan produces wines of unique, delicate character. Koshu, a pink-skinned grape brought via the Silk Road, produces neutral, subtly saline whites of extraordinary food affinity. Japan's wine renaissance is led by Château Mercian, Grace Wine and Domaine Sogga.

RegionYamanashi / Nagano

CountryJapan

Finishlong

Historyc. 718 CE

Great Vintages

2015201720192021

Ancient Patrons

ŌkuninushiShinto

God of Agriculture and Nation Building

Japanese mythology credits divine beings with all agricultural gifts. The cultivation of Koshu grapes at Katsunuma in Yamanashi is traditionally dated to 718 CE, when the monk Gyoki reportedly found the first wild vine and cultivated it as a medicinal fruit.

InariShinto

God of Harvest, Rice and Prosperity

Inari shrines — the most numerous in Japan — are associated with all agricultural abundance including fruit and grape cultivation. Many Japanese wineries maintain small Inari shrines in their vineyards.