Muscat Bailey A is a black grape that has long been loved as a unique Japanese variety.
Known widely as an “eating grape” because it is also used as a table grape, it is a grape that produces excellent wines, and in recent years, various styles of wine have been made from Muscat Bailey A.
This time, we have summarized the charm of Muscat Bailey A.
Additionally, we introduce three recommended Muscat Bailey A wines from “CRAFT WINE SHOP.”
Let’s explore the charm of Muscat Bailey A, a black grape Japan proudly offers to the world.
Muscat Bailey A is a black grape native to Japan.
Muscat Bailey A is a black grape born in Japan.
Developed in 1927 by Zenbei Kawakami (founder of Iwanohara Vineyard), it is a black grape variety resistant to Japan’s hot and humid climate and easy to cultivate, leading to widespread cultivation mainly in Yamanashi Prefecture and other regions like Yamagata, Nagano, Hyogo, and Hiroshima.
A feature of Muscat Bailey A is that it serves both as a table grape and a wine grape, with parents being the Bailey variety (American origin) and Muscat Hamburg (European origin).
It is known for producing wines with a unique flavor worldwide, combining the candy aroma typical of table grapes with wine-like acidity and tannins.
However, it is also true that due to its characteristics, the wine was once undervalued by enthusiasts and experts as having a “grape juice-like taste.”
Amid this, wine professionals striving to maximize Muscat Bailey A’s potential have continued researching cultivation and winemaking methods, resulting in many high-quality Muscat Bailey A wines that rival those worldwide.
Aromas of red fruits, spices, herbs, relatively gentle acidity and tannins, and a complex, structured body.
From new wines like Nouveau to long-aged types, “Japanese red wines” that Japan proudly offers to the world are produced from Muscat Bailey A.
Three things to know about Muscat Bailey A
To understand Muscat Bailey A more deeply, here are three key points to know.
This information is useful when choosing Muscat Bailey A wines, so be sure to remember it.
① Aroma and flavor of Muscat Bailey A
The typical aromas of Muscat Bailey A are often described as “strawberry” and “candy.”
Blueberry, raspberry, herbs, earthy notes, rose, and spicy aromas are also characteristic.
As mentioned above, this “strawberry” and “candy” aroma gives a nuance reminiscent of grape juice, leading to a low evaluation of Muscat Bailey A wines.
Because Muscat Bailey A has Labrusca species as a parent, it carries the characteristic “foxy flavor” (a grape juice-like aroma) typical of wines made from those species, which was disliked by enthusiasts and experts accustomed to imported wines.
Although the foxiness aroma is not fully understood, a series of compounds such as methyl anthranilate and ο-aminoacetophenone are involved, and the interaction with furaneol and 4-methoxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone contained in Muscat Bailey A is thought to contribute to the formation of the foxiness aroma.
However, many Muscat Bailey A wines produced recently have been crafted to skillfully retain this unique aroma while enhancing the desirable aromatic elements, leading to recognition as a “rare and distinctive red wine on a global scale.”
Research and practice by experts, including smaller berries, trellis cultivation, late harvesting, and growing in cooler environments, suggest that the proportion of seeds and skins has increased, further enhancing the aroma.
For example, Muscat Bailey A now contains more compounds like furaneol, which has fruity and caramel nuances, and γ (gamma)-nonalactone, reminiscent of coconut, evolving into richly aromatic wines.
Increasing the proportion of seeds and skins raises the tannin content, producing wines with more structure that can withstand aging.
Of course, there are also wines that deliberately emphasize the unique candy aroma of Muscat Bailey A, or are made into light-bodied rosés for easy drinking, or finished sweet; these can be seen as part of the variety’s “diversity.”
The characteristic sweet aroma of Muscat Bailey A is a key feature and charm, and it is recommended to enjoy the wine appreciating this aspect.
② Enjoy a variety of styles
Just as Koshu is a unique Japanese variety, Muscat Bailey A is also a grape variety used to make wines in a wide range of styles.
Muscat Bailey A released as a new wine like Yamanashi Nouveau is crafted as a refreshing, early-drinking wine with minimal astringency, maximizing sweet aromas like strawberry and candy.
On the other hand, medium-bodied Muscat Bailey A wines aged in oak barrels, unlike the light-bodied types mentioned above, are also popular.
While retaining refreshing acidity, the slightly higher tannin content results in a mellow, structured, and complex flavor after aging.
Barrel aging adds vanilla, smoky, and coconut-like aromas derived from the wood, giving a rich impression.
Also, some Muscat Bailey A wines use a luxurious method called saignée to draw off juice, followed by long barrel and bottle aging before release, allowing you to enjoy a variety of styles even within the same grape variety.
Due to its beautiful color and sweet-tartness, it is often made into rosé wine, and some wines are even natural types like “vin naturel,” made with completely pesticide-free grapes and no added sulfur dioxide.
Muscat Bailey A is a variety that is difficult to evaluate uniformly, and it is a grape that makes you expect that, in a good way, it still hides another expression.
Rather than sticking to one winery, we recommend enjoying Muscat Bailey A wines from various wineries across Japan.
③ Excellent compatibility with Japanese cuisine
Muscat Bailey A and other wines made in Japan are considered to pair well with Japanese food.
Among these, Muscat Bailey A is a unique Japanese variety whose flavor profile shows outstanding compatibility with Japanese cuisine seasonings.
Especially recommended are dishes using sweet sauces made with mirin, sake, soy sauce, and sugar, as well as charcoal-grilled dishes.
Muscat Bailey A’s characteristic aromas of caramel and smoky nuances, along with sweet and sour notes and sometimes jam-like nuances, make it perfect to pair with “sweet and salty sauces” and “the fragrant smell of charcoal grilling.”
Therefore, it pairs effortlessly with dishes like tare-sauced yakitori, grilled eel kabayaki, teriyaki chicken, okonomiyaki, takoyaki, and sauce-laden minced meat cutlets.
Also, medium-bodied Muscat Bailey A pairs well with seafood such as bonito or tuna sashimi, sushi made with red vinegar, and simmered golden eye snapper.
Rosé, with its sweet aroma, refreshing acidity, and mild tannins, pairs well with Chinese dishes like chili shrimp, mapo tofu, and sweet and sour pork.
Personally, I recommend pairing Muscat Bailey A with beef sukiyaki boldly using tomatoes.
Pairings that might be difficult with imported wines can succeed with Muscat Bailey A.
Why not try various combinations and see what you like best?
Three recommended Muscat Bailey A wines from "CRAFT WINE SHOP"
Because Muscat Bailey A offers a variety of styles, we want you to try wines made by different wineries.
Now, let’s introduce three recommended Muscat Bailey A wines from the "CRAFT WINE SHOP."
Cfa Backyard Winery "Ring Components MBA"
Cfa Backyard Winery is a small winery run by a pair of winemaker sisters in Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture.
"Ring Components MBA" is a recommended Muscat Bailey A wine mainly made from locally grown Muscat Bailey A in Tochigi Prefecture.
This is a unique wine finished by blending one aged for one year in barrels.
Enjoy a beautiful dark ruby appearance, along with complex aromas of cherry compote, plum, gentle fruitiness, and spicy nuances brought by aging.
As time passes, aromas like white peach and lavender emerge, so it’s good to enjoy the wine’s changes slowly rather than finishing it immediately after opening.
It has a mellow attack and a pleasant fruitiness that lingers as an aftertaste.
With a modern label design and a Vino-Lok (glass) stopper, it creates a stylish atmosphere just by placing it on the table.
For pairing, it goes well with Japanese dishes featuring sweet sauces like yakitori with tare sauce, grilled eel kabayaki, and sukiyaki.
Cfa Backyard Winery "Ring Components MBA"
2,420 yen including tax
Hombo Shuzo "Chateau Mars Hosaka Muscat Bailey A Cold Maceration 2022"
This Muscat Bailey A wine is produced by Mars Yamanashi Winery, Hombo Shuzo, located near Isawa Onsen Station in Yamanashi Prefecture.
As the name suggests, "Chateau Mars Hosaka Muscat Bailey A Cold Maceration 2022" is a red wine made using the cold maceration method, where destemmed and crushed Muscat Bailey A is soaked at low temperature in the tank before fermentation.
Cold maceration is a technique often used worldwide for varieties like Pinot Noir, promoting the extraction of aromas and flavor components, making it well suited to medium-bodied Muscat Bailey A.
The Muscat Bailey A grapes used are carefully cultivated in Hosaka Town, Yamanashi Prefecture.
You can richly sense aromas of fruits like strawberry and raspberry, with a gentle attack and mellow tannins that spread savory flavors throughout the mouth.
A classic style wine that lets you fully enjoy the true character of Muscat Bailey A.
Try chilling it slightly before pouring into a glass and enjoying.
Hombo Shuzo "Chateau Mars Hosaka Muscat Bailey A Cold Maceration 2022"
1,746 yen including tax
Usada Winery "Unite 2018"
A special Muscat Bailey A called "Unite 2018" crafted by Usada Winery, located in the notable Chichibu region known for producing captivating alcoholic beverages.
This luxurious red wine was aged in bourbon barrels from the world-famous venture whiskey "Ichiro's Malt," also made in Chichibu, making it a rare treat only possible in Chichibu.
Besides its excellent taste, the artistic label design is something to pay attention to.
The design was created by artist Hisashi Katsuya, who also named the wine.
Although it was hard to put into words when first tasting this wine made in whiskey barrels, continued drinking gave a sensation of it smoothly sliding down the throat.
Imagining it would pair well with a wide range of dishes, and feeling the magic of two elements coming together when drinking the last glass, it was named "Unite."
"Unite 2018" uses grapes grown in the Kamino area of Chichibu, primarily Muscat Bailey A blended with Merlot.
With a vintage from 2018 and some aging, this bottle offers a chance to discover a new side of Muscat Bailey A.
Why not pick one up as a gift for someone special or as a reward for yourself?
Usada Winery "Unite 2018"
8,800 yen including tax
Summary
Muscat Bailey A is a genuine Japanese black grape variety officially registered with the OIV in 2013 as a unique Japanese variety.
This grape variety produces wines rich in variation that change character depending on cultivation and winemaking methods, making it sure to ignite the curiosity of Japanese wine fans.
If you want to experience the charm of Muscat Bailey A, be sure to check it out at the "CRAFT WINE SHOP."
