About Merlot Barrel-Aged
- Style
- Red
- Grape Varieties
- Merlot
- Price Range
- ¥5,500
- tax included
Merlot from Akeno Vineyard's own farm in Hokuto City, Yamanashi, fermented in stainless steel tanks with no added sugar or acid, then aged in new French oak barrels for 6 months followed by 6 months in bottle. A softer, rounder counterpart to the estate's Cabernet Sauvignon, showing the plush, generous side of Merlot grown at altitude in Japan's sunniest wine region.
The friendliest red in the Akeno Vineyard lineup — softer tannins and riper fruit make it an easy match for almost any weeknight meal.
New to wine?
A gentle, fruit-forward red that's a comfortable first step into Japanese Bordeaux-variety wines.
Food Pairings
A versatile red for roast chicken, hamburg steak, and tomato-based pasta or stews. In Japanese cuisine, pairs nicely with beef sukiyaki or nikujaga.
When to drink it
Casual dinners, home-cooked meat dishes, everyday drinking
Terroir & Winemaking
Fermented in stainless steel tanks without chaptalization or acid adjustment. Aged in new French oak barrels for 6 months, then 6 months in bottle before release.
About the producer
Akeno VineyardMember-grown grapes from Japan's sunniest vineyard district.北杜市, 山梨県 · Founded 2021Visit the producer page →Frequently Asked Questions
- How does this Merlot compare to the estate's Cabernet Sauvignon?
- It's softer and rounder, with riper fruit and gentler tannins, reflecting Merlot's naturally plusher character and a shorter 6-month oak regimen.
- Is it fermented with any additives?
- No — it is fermented in stainless steel tanks with no added sugar or acid, then aged in new French oak for 6 months and bottle-aged for 6 months.
- What food pairs well with it?
- Roast chicken, hamburg steak, tomato-based pasta or stews, and Japanese dishes like sukiyaki or nikujaga.
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