About this wine
Tsugane a hum Pinot Gris is a skin-contact orange wine crafted by Eishi Okamoto of Beau Paysage in the Tsugane vineyard at 800m elevation in Yamanashi. The 'a hum' series (ア・ハム) is Okamoto's most experimental and lightest-touch line — produced in a series of around 300 bottles per vintage, where each variety is vinified with extended skin contact to create a pale amber wine of extraordinary transparency. This Pinot Gris exhibits dried orange peel, pomelo, white peach, a hint of gentle tannin, and a crystalline mineral finish native to the Tsugane terroir. Minimal sulfur, no filtration, gravity bottling.
An orange wine that bridges the world of white and red — amber-hued with a subtle grip; eye-opening for anyone new to skin-contact wines.
Sommelier's Note
"One of Japan's most distinctive skin-contact expressions — Okamoto's Pinot Gris 'a hum' proves that orange wine can achieve profound elegance without sacrificing delicacy. Essential for any natural wine collector."
Food Pairings
Outstanding with spiced dishes, aged hard cheeses, charcuterie, and umami-rich Japanese cuisine. The gentle tannin and orange peel character elevate miso-glazed fish, grilled chicken with yuzu kosho, and soba with dipping broth. Also a revelation alongside Indian curry, Middle Eastern mezze, or Vietnamese pho.
When to drink it
Perfect for adventurous dinner parties, Japanese tasting menus, or quiet evenings when you want to explore the frontier of Japanese natural wine.
Specs
- Grape Varieties
- Pinot Gris
- Style
- orange, natural, skin-contact
- Price Range
- ¥8,000-12,000
Terroir & Winemaking
Grown in the Tsugane block at approximately 800m elevation, Yamanashi Prefecture. Hand-harvested at optimal ripeness. Extended skin-contact fermentation with indigenous yeasts to achieve pale amber colour. No temperature control. Minimal SO₂ addition. Bottled by gravity without fining or filtration. Production: approximately 300 bottles per vintage.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does Tsugane a hum Pinot Gris taste like?
- It shows dried orange peel, pomelo, white peach, and a distinct mineral finish with a subtle tannic grip from skin contact — complex yet refreshingly pure.
- Is this really an orange wine?
- Yes. The grapes are fermented with their skins, giving the wine its pale amber colour and gentle tannins. It is the defining characteristic of the 'a hum' series.
- What food pairs best with this wine?
- It shines with miso-glazed fish, grilled chicken with yuzu kosho, hard aged cheeses, charcuterie, and spiced dishes like Indian curry or Vietnamese pho.
- How many bottles are produced?
- Approximately 300 bottles per vintage — making it one of the rarest expressions from Beau Paysage.
- How long can I cellar it?
- Best enjoyed within 3 to 5 years of the vintage, while the fruit and mineral freshness are at their peak.
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Talk to the SommelierMore wines from this producer
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