8 Vineyard Yachikura Muscat Bailey A 2022

About this wine

The flagship red of 8 Vineyard (8 vin-yard MISAKA), Yachikura Muscat Bailey A is sourced exclusively from vines over 60 years old in the Yachikura district of Misaka Town, Fuefuki City, Yamanashi — one of Japan's most storied grape-growing districts. Growers carefully limit the number of clusters per vine so that nutrients concentrate in each berry, and a portion of the juice is drawn off before fermentation (a saignée-style technique) to raise the ratio of skin contact, yielding a wine with deeper color than typical Muscat Bailey A. The 2022 vintage shows a vivid ruby hue, ripe red-berry and wild-strawberry aromas with a light floral lift, and a clean, well-balanced finish with moderate, well-integrated tannins — avoiding the overly sweet, candied character sometimes associated with the variety.

Sommelier's Note

"This is Muscat Bailey A grown up: 60-year-old Yachikura vines and a saignée-style vinification give it a depth of color and a clean, tannin-balanced finish that sets it apart from the variety's usual candied-sweet reputation."

Food Pairings

A versatile, food-friendly red: pairs well with yakitori (especially tare-glazed), grilled chicken, roast duck, and mushroom dishes. Its soft tannins and clean acidity also work with lightly simmered Japanese dishes in soy-based sauces (nimono) and grilled unagi.

When to drink it

Casual dinners at home, izakaya-style gatherings with yakitori, or as a gift introducing Japanese wine to friends.

Specs

Grape Varieties

Muscat Bailey A

Style

Red

Price Range

¥2,500-3,500

Terroir & Winemaking

Fruit hand-selected from 60+ year-old Muscat Bailey A vines in the Yachikura district of Misaka, Yamanashi. Cluster thinning is used to concentrate nutrients in each berry, and free-run juice is partially bled off before fermentation (saignée-style) to increase skin-to-juice contact and deepen color and structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 8 Vineyard Yachikura Muscat Bailey A taste like?

It has a vivid ruby color with ripe red-berry and wild strawberry aromas, a light floral note, and a clean finish with soft, well-integrated tannins — less sweet than many Muscat Bailey A wines.

What food pairs well with it?

It pairs especially well with tare-glazed yakitori, grilled chicken, roast duck, mushroom dishes, and soy-based simmered Japanese food.

Why is this Muscat Bailey A different from others?

It's made from vines over 60 years old in the Yachikura district and uses a saignée-style method — draining off juice before fermentation to increase skin contact — which gives it a deeper color and more structure than typical Muscat Bailey A.