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Château Mercian - Mariko Winery
Two red wines from the Mariko Vineyard in Ueda, Nagano – now available from us.
Château Mercian
Mariko Merlot 2019
Mariko Merlot 2019 from Château Mercian comes from Mariko Vineyard on the Jinba plateau in Ueda, Nagano. The wine matures for around 13 months in oak, with 5% new barrels.
Blackberry, blackcurrant and ripe strawberry are joined by dried fruit, vanilla and spicy oak notes. Concentrated fruit meets well-integrated acidity and powerful, dense tannins. Ripe berries and delicate barrel notes shape the long finish.
| Grape variety | Merlot |
|---|---|
| Overview | Red wine, dry · 13% vol |
| Aromas | Blackberry, blackcurrant, strawberry, dried fruit, vanilla and spicy oak notes |
| Structure | Full-bodied, with powerful tannins and well-integrated acidity |
| Vinification and ageing | Around 13 months in oak; 5% new barrels |
| Ageing potential | 10–15 years from the vintage |
| Food pairing | Braised beef tongue with root vegetables; roast game with mushroom jus; duck breast with orange sauce |
| Origin | Japan, Nagano, Ueda, Mariko Vineyard |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Allergens | Contains sulphites |
Château Mercian
Mariko Omnis 2018
Mariko Omnis 2018 from Château Mercian is a red blend from Mariko Vineyard in Ueda, Nagano. Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot form a concentrated wine that matures for around 19 months in oak.
Blackcurrant and dark plum are joined by forest floor, conifer wood and clove. Vanilla and chocolate complement the fruit. Powerful, fine-grained tannins meet supporting acidity and a long, aromatic finish.
| Grape varieties | Cabernet Franc 41%, Merlot 34%, Cabernet Sauvignon 13%, Petit Verdot 12% |
|---|---|
| Overview | Red wine, dry · 14 % vol |
| Aromas | Blackcurrant, dark plum, forest floor, conifer wood, clove, vanilla and chocolate |
| Structure | Full-bodied and concentrated, with powerful, fine-grained tannins and supporting acidity |
| Vinification and ageing | Around 19 months in oak |
| Ageing potential | 20+ years from the vintage |
| Food pairing | Roast fillet of beef with a dark jus; saddle of venison with wild mushrooms; braised lamb with root vegetables |
| Awards | Gold – International Wine Challenge 2023 and 2025; Gold – Decanter World Wine Awards 2023 |
| Origin | Japan, Nagano, Ueda, Mariko Vineyard |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Allergens | Contains sulphites |
JAPANESE WINE CULTURE
Rediscover tradition
Discover the world of Japanese winemaking, where delicate craftsmanship, living tradition, and visionary innovation merge. With precision and dedication, wines of exceptional refinement are created here: authentic, surprising, unique.
Learn more
Sake and Japanese wine may belong to the same culture of food and drink, but they follow very different principles. Sake is brewed from rice and is defined by umami, texture and the interplay of serving temperatures. Japanese wine is made from grapes and impresses with freshness, precision and a clear sense of origin. Koshu from Yamanashi in particular shows how elegantly, gastronomically and distinctively Japan interprets wine today.
On International Women's Day, we celebrate the women shaping Japanese wine today. From early pioneers to today's women winemakers in Yamanashi and Hokkaidō, this article explores their influence on one of the most exciting wine worlds of our time.
Japanese wines stand for precision, finesse and often moderate alcohol. This article provides an overview of their history, Koshu and the most important regions from Yamanashi to Hokkaidō, with context and recommendations from the Weinkontor Sommer range.
By Nick Rowan in collaboration with Weinkontor Sommer.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Japanese wines are perfectly suited to the refined, balanced cuisine of Japan. White wines—such as those made from the Koshu grape variety—complement light dishes like tempura, grilled fish, or vegetable dishes with miso. Red wines from Japan, with their elegant structure, harmonize perfectly with teriyaki, yakiniku, or soy-based dishes. Those looking for wine to accompany Japanese food will find a stylish, authentic accompaniment here.
Japanese wine can be an excellent alternative to sake. While sake is brewed from rice, Japanese wine is made from grapes, offering a broader and more familiar range of flavours. It is ideal for wine lovers seeking an exotic alternative to sake while still enjoying an authentic taste of Japan.
Japanese wines are characterized by a unique combination of traditional winemaking and a distinctive terroir. As wines from Asia, they enrich the international wine world with new, sophisticated flavor profiles that couldn't be more unique. Production often takes place in small wineries with a focus on quality – the result is exclusive wines that delight connoisseurs and gourmets alike.
