"Japanese wine is now often said to be on par with wines from around the world."
However, many people may not clearly understand which wines produced by which producers from which regions are of "world-recognized quality."
This time, we would like to introduce wineries that "CRAFT WINE SHOP" confidently recommends for those people.
"That is the winery 'Vinoble Vineyard & Winery' located in Miyoshi City, Hiroshima (hereinafter referred to as Vinoble Vineyard). Once you drink it, everyone becomes captivated by its 'high quality.'"
In this article, let's convey the charm of Vinoble Vineyard.
About Vinoble Vineyards
Vinoble Vineyard is a winery located in the city of Miyoshi, Hiroshima Prefecture, in the center of the Chugoku region.
As the representative of the same winery and a grower and winemaker, Takashi Yokomachi established a new winery in 2021 after the crowdfunding project "Hiroshima Grown Wine Fund, Focusing on Seedlings." Despite being a new winery, it has already garnered significant attention for producing wines of quality comparable to those found worldwide.
The trigger for that was the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2022 (IWSC), a globally recognized wine competition held in 2022.
The winery's "Sauvignon Blanc 2021" won a gold medal with the highest score of 95 points. (The only other wine with the same score comes from a winery in Marlborough, New Zealand, the home of Sauvignon Blanc.)
The gold medal win is the first award for a privately owned winery in Japan.
It was a moment that shocked wine professionals around the world.
Furthermore, at the dinner of the G7 Hiroshima Summit 2023 Partners Program, Semillon sparkling wine will be served as the toast wine, showcasing that Vinoble Vineyard continues to produce wines of quality that Japan takes pride in on the world stage.
Why are the wines of Vinoble Vineyard so highly regarded?
Let me tell you the secret.
A person named Takashi Yokomachi
Mr. Takashi Yokomachi, a representative of Vinoble Vineyard, graduated from the Brewing Department of Tokyo University of Agriculture and has honed his skills at some of Japan's top wineries, including "Miyoshi Winery" and "Katsunuma Brewing."
After that, he became active as a brewing consultant, but on the other hand, he also serves as the executive director of the grape seedling sales company "Ragphase," showcasing his diverse talents.
Mr. Yokomachi, who possesses rare brewing techniques, also has an exceptional commitment to grape cultivation.
He is a self-proclaimed clone enthusiast, and in his own vineyard, he cultivates clones such as Abel and mv6 of Pinot Noir, as well as a type of Sauvignon Blanc clone called NZ MS, showing a dedication similar to that of famous wineries in renowned wine regions around the world.
In Japan, major wineries are also making efforts to adjust the sections and production methods cultivated by clones, but there are probably not many small personal wineries that are this thorough.
Moreover, there are more than 20 varieties of grapes being cultivated, including some rare foreign varieties that are still uncommon in Japan, and there is no doubt that new wines will continue to be produced from Vinoble Vineyard.
Although the winery is highly recognized as a winery acknowledged by the world, it was established in 2021 and is still young.
For that reason, I look forward to Mr. Yokomachi's future challenges.
Commitment to trellis cultivation
When you hear about wines that rival those of the world, you might imagine that "the grapes are grown on trellises."
Just as the famous wine regions of the world do, renowned wineries in Japan are actively adopting trellis cultivation.
On the other hand, Vinoble Vineyard is characterized by its commitment to "shelf cultivation."
The city of Miyoshi, where the winery's vineyards are located, has a basin shape, resulting in a large temperature difference between day and night. Additionally, it is relatively cool in the summer, making it known as a region suitable for cultivating elegant and high-quality grapes with characteristics such as "color, aroma, sweetness, and acidity."
On the other hand, the same region experiences a lot of rainfall during the growing period, and the influence of the autumn rain front that arrives just before harvest, as well as risks from typhoons, heavy rain, and guerrilla rainstorms, make healthy grape cultivation quite challenging.
Mr. Yokomachi explored various cultivation methods and decided to adopt a cultivation method that involves installing vinyl rain covers on shelf cultivation to mitigate these risks.
The importance of methods that suit the land and harvesting healthy grapes.
For Mr. Yokomachi, who aims to create clean wine, it is of utmost importance that the grapes used as raw materials are healthy.
By the way, it is said that the field does not use herbicides or chemical fertilizers, and only uses compost made from fermented food scraps and bark compost.
The shelf cultivation that brings out the quality of the land is also a point for which Vinoble Vineyard's wines are highly regarded.
Commitment to brewing
Mr. Yokomachi, who is active as a brewing consultant, aims to create clean wines that express varietal characteristics.
The individual emphasizes that healthy fermentation and aging are fundamental to expressing varietal characteristics, but while observing the condition of the harvested grapes, meticulous winemaking is carried out by trying many patterns to create a well-balanced wine.
It is characterized by brewing with gentle handling, which means a style that minimizes human intervention.
Mr. Yokomachi, aiming for a luxurious style closer to Grand Vin, wants the discerning old fans of wine to know that Japan's Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir are of comparable quality.
Incidentally, Miyoshi City in Hiroshima Prefecture is known as a region where thick fog, referred to as the "sea of fog," occurs from late autumn to early spring, and it is said that Mr. Yokomachi hopes to someday produce the finest noble rot wine in this area.
Utilizing my own knowledge and experience in grape cultivation and winemaking, I harvest healthy and high-quality grapes using cultivation methods suited to the land, and carefully process them to bring out the charm of those grapes.
"I want to make delicious wine, and I want people to know that Japanese wine can compete globally. Please be sure to taste the wine created by the earnest Mr. Yokomachi."
3 Recommended Wines from Vinoble Vineyard by "CRAFT WINE SHOP"
As a "CRAFT WINE SHOP", we recommend all the wines produced by Vinoble Vineyard.
However, among them, I have carefully selected three exquisite bottles that I definitely want Japanese wine fans to try.
From here, let's introduce three recommended wines from the "CRAFT WINE SHOP" Vinoble Vineyard.
Vinoble Vineyard Chardonnay Barrel Fermentation 2022
Vinoble Vineyard became famous for its Sauvignon Blanc, but it is also known for the high quality of its Chardonnay.
"Vinoble Vineyard Chardonnay Barrel Fermentation 2022" uses Chardonnay that has been carefully harvested from our own vineyard.
Fermentation occurs in French oak barrels, followed by malolactic fermentation in the barrel, and then aged in the barrel for 9 months.
This is a rich Chardonnay with a well-balanced combination of abundant fruitiness, oak aroma, and acidity.
Let's enjoy pairings that match the intensity of the wine, such as rich dishes using cream sauce and dishes that evoke a smoky flavor to harmonize with barrel-derived aromas.
Vinoble Vineyard Chardonnay Barrel Fermentation 2022
4,500 yen including tax
Vinoble Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2022
It is no exaggeration to say that Sauvignon Blanc is the face of Vinoble Vineyard.
This is a bottle that showcases the varietal characteristics of Sauvignon Blanc, carefully cultivated and harvested in our own vineyard, and vinified through gentle handling.
The appealing balance of aromas reminiscent of citrus and melon typical of Sauvignon Blanc, scents that evoke Japanese herbs, and fresh acidity.
This wine pairs well with Japanese cuisine and offers a wide range of enjoyable pairings.
By the way, the 2021 vintage won a gold medal at the IWSC.
Vinoble Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2022
3,699 yen including tax
Vinoble Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022
Miyoshi City, where excellent Pinot Noir can be harvested.
This is a high-quality Pinot Noir that has been carefully harvested in our own vineyard and vinified through gentle handling.
Aged for 12 months in barrels, it features the vibrant red fruit and floral aromas of Pinot Noir, such as roses and violets, resulting in an elegant wine with rich umami.
The taste that can only be created by Vinoble Vineyard, where the elegance of barrel aroma and tannins fuses with the goodness of Japanese Pinot from Burgundy.
Vinoble Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022
4,500 yen including tax
summary
Not only in Japan, but also the world is paying attention to Vinoble Vineyard.
Due to being a small winery, the production numbers are also low, and there are quite a few wines that are difficult to obtain.
"Has the quality of Japanese wine finally reached this level?"
"If you drink the wine from Vinoble Vineyard, everyone will surely utter these words."
A chance to obtain valuable wine, be sure to check out the wines from Vinoble Vineyard.
※Currently, at Vinoble Vineyard, we are conducting crowdfunding to aim for a gold medal with our "noble rot wine"!
Please be sure to check that out as well.
Click here for the page!
