KWtN Fujisawa Farm Yoichi Kerner Mateba Kanro
KWtN 藤澤農園 余市ケルナー 待てば甘露
10R Winery
Kerner
About this wine
A multi-vintage late-harvest Kerner from Fujisawa Farm in Yoichi, made by 10R Winery under the KWtN ('Kamihoro Wine to Nakama-tachi') label. Blending the 2016 and 2017 late-harvest harvests, this wine is concentrated, smooth, and gently sweet — the name 'Mateba Kanro' (待てば甘露) meaning 'wait and sweetness will come.' Expect ripe apricot, candied citrus peel, honey, and malt on a silky palate with Kerner's characteristic refreshing acidity cutting through the richness.
If you enjoy German Spätlese or late-harvest Riesling, this is your gateway to the best of Hokkaido — the sweetness is gentle, beautifully balanced by Kerner's bright acidity.
Sommelier's Note
"Japan's finest argument for Kerner as a world-class late-harvest variety — the 2016/2017 multi-vintage blend delivers honeyed depth without sacrificing the bracing acidity that sets Hokkaido whites apart."
Food Pairings
The gentle sweetness of this late-harvest Kerner shines alongside miso-marinated fish (saikyo-yaki), cream cheese with honey on crackers, and Japanese sweets such as kurikinton (sweet chestnut paste). Works beautifully as a counterpoint to mildly spicy dishes. Equally compelling as an aperitif with blue-veined or aged cheeses.
When to drink it
Post-dinner dessert wine, anniversary celebrations, thoughtful gift for wine lovers, pairing with Japanese confections and cheese boards
Specs
- Grape Varieties
- Kerner
- Style
- White, Sweet
- Vintage
- NV
- Price Range
- ¥3,000–¥5,000
Terroir & Winemaking
100% late-harvest Kerner from Fujisawa Farm, Yoichi, Hokkaido. Multi-vintage NV blend (2016 + 2017 base). Fermented with wild/native yeasts in stainless steel tanks. Minimal sulfite addition after racking. No fining agents. Bottled unfiltered. Produced under the KWtN ('Kamihoro Wine to Nakama-tachi') label by 10R Winery (Bruce & Ryoko Gutlove) in Iwamizawa, Sorachi. Style is reminiscent of German Spätlese to Auslese.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does KWtN Mateba Kanro taste like?
- Concentrated and silky-smooth, with ripe apricot, candied citrus peel, honey, and malt notes. Kerner's characteristic bright acidity keeps the sweetness fresh and lively rather than cloying.
- Is Mateba Kanro very sweet?
- It's gently sweet — a dessert-style wine where the residual sugar is beautifully balanced by Kerner's natural high acidity. Think German Spätlese rather than full Auslese.
- What food pairs best with KWtN Mateba Kanro?
- Japanese miso-marinated fish (saikyo-yaki), wagashi confections, cream cheese with honey, and lightly spiced Asian dishes all work beautifully. Equally enjoyable on its own as an after-dinner sipper.
- What does 'Mateba Kanro' mean?
- 'Mateba Kanro' (待てば甘露) is a Japanese proverb meaning 'wait patiently and sweetness will come,' perfectly describing both the late-harvest winemaking and the layered, evolving complexity of the wine.
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