As we feel the arrival of autumn these days, many of you may be thinking about enjoying the "long autumn nights."
This time, "CRAFT WINE SHOP" has prepared Japanese wines perfect for long autumn nights—fragrant and easy to enjoy. With refined aromas, soft mouthfeel, complex flavors, and long finishes, yet elegant, these recommended Japanese wines will make your long nights special.
Wines to enjoy leisurely on long autumn nights
"Long autumn nights" refers to the lengthening of nighttime from autumn into winter.
The comfortable climate and soothing sounds of insects on autumn nights make it ideal for spending relaxed and peaceful time. To enrich long autumn nights, some immerse themselves in hobbies like reading, movies, or music, others find healing with aromatherapy, focus on bath time, or simply do nothing but enjoy the night breeze and star gazing... Everyone enjoys their own way of spending meaningful night time.
Among you, some may already think, "Wine is the perfect companion for long autumn nights!" Enjoying your favorite wine freely is the most relaxing way, but choosing wines perfect for long autumn nights is also recommended. So, what kind of wine suits long autumn nights? Let’s introduce that below.
Fragrant wines
When choosing wine for long autumn nights, focus first on aroma. Wine aromas include "primary aromas" derived from the grapes, "secondary aromas" created during fermentation, and "tertiary aromas" related to aging. While elegantly restrained wines are attractive, if you choose wine with the keyword "long autumn nights," we recommend types that offer plenty of these aromas. Fruit, flowers, herbs, vanilla from barrels, and spiciness. Wines where these aromas overlap like a symphony may also offer relaxation benefits. For example, many people use aromatherapy to enhance relaxation. Pleasant scents activate the parasympathetic nervous system, allowing both mind and body to relax. A highly aromatic wine not only offers fragrance but also the relaxing effects of alcohol, making your long autumn nights even more comfortable.
Wines to enjoy leisurely
After summer, when refreshing and sharp wines that quench the throat are preferred, autumn tends to call for wines that can be enjoyed more leisurely. It’s not that you should drink recklessly in summer, but lighter-bodied wines that can be finished quickly are popular because summer demands lighter wine characteristics. On the other hand, in the cooler autumn climate, the demand for fuller-bodied wines increases. Because autumn nights flow slowly and calmly, wines with a fuller body that you can enjoy at a relaxed pace are recommended. For red wines, those with many aromatic elements, combining aged elegance and richness, are ideal. For white and orange wines, those with volume, softness, and richness from barrel aging are perfect for long autumn nights. Whether accompanying your favorite book, movie, music, or game, or spending time with close loved ones, enjoy high-quality wine at a relaxed pace.
"CWS" Selection! Japanese Wines Perfect for Long Autumn Nights
At "CWS," we have prepared two Japanese wines perfect for long autumn nights. These are high-quality Japanese wines with rich aromas that you can enjoy leisurely.
Tsuno Wine / Private Reserve Pinot Gris Orange 2023
Tsuno Wine, a winery with a strong and loyal following among Japanese wine fans.
This orange wine made from Pinot Gris is a challenge the winery has taken on since 2018. Pinot Gris, a grayish grape variety, is known for its thick skins and ability to produce highly aromatic and powerful orange wines. Tsuno Wine’s Pinot Gris is planted in the 95th block of the Makiuchi Plateau, which faces southeast, enjoys good airflow, and abundant sunlight, allowing the characteristic aromas of the variety to fully develop at harvest.
The "Private Reserve Pinot Gris Orange 2023" features sweet aromas reminiscent of black honey and honey, along with scents like black tea. This is followed by dense aromas of dried fruits, and swirling reveals sweet fruit scents like apple honey and yellow peach. You can enjoy a well-balanced blend of delicate tannins, gentle acidity, and bitterness reminiscent of grape skins, creating a harmonious finish. It has an elegant flavor reminiscent of black tea, umami that evokes broth, and a clean finish.
A fragrant and leisurely orange wine recommended for long autumn evenings.
Tsuno Wine / Private Reserve Pinot Gris Orange 2023
3,960 yen (tax included)
More details about the wine here
Marufuji Winery / Rubaiyat Muscat Bailey A Barrel-Aged Barrel Select 2022
Marufuji Winery (Rubaiyat Wine), a long-established winery in Katsunuma Town, Yamanashi Prefecture.
This special red wine is made using only carefully selected Muscat Bailey A grapes, meticulously grown by dedicated farmer Ko Hosaka in the Hosaka area of Nirasaki City, Yamanashi Prefecture. At this winery, it is positioned as a premium wine and is recommended to make your long autumn nights special. The winemaking process is carefully crafted, including cold maceration to thoroughly extract the grape elements, fermentation with wild yeast, malolactic fermentation in small barrels, and slow aging, all taking plenty of time and effort. You can enjoy the rich and elegant aroma of ripe berry fruits, enhanced by vanilla notes from the barrel. The mellow and warm mouthfeel and full-bodied richness are unique to premium wines.
A complex flavor with various intertwined elements and a long, beautiful finish. This is a bottle you definitely want to enjoy in the coming season.
Marufuji Winery / Rubaiyat Muscat Bailey A Barrel-Aged Barrel Select 2022
3,300 yen (tax included)
More details about the wine here
Summary
On long autumn nights, a fragrant and leisurely wine sets the mood for a relaxing adult time. The glass releases a gorgeous aroma, with a mellow taste, complex and rich flavors, and a long, beautiful finish.
Why not pair the Japanese wines introduced in this article with your long autumn evenings?
