About this wine
A Novello-style young red made from estate-grown Zweigelt at Kakudahama. Vinified with short maceration to preserve fresh fruit character and released each year as the winery's new-vintage red, offering a balanced structure of tannin and acidity for easy, everyday drinking.
A friendly, food-versatile young red — a gentle first step into Niigata's Zweigelt reds.
Sommelier's Note
"Zio Setto's Novello proves that Japan's Zweigelt can rival Beaujolais Nouveau for pure, joyful drinkability."
Food Pairings
Its balanced tannin and acidity make it a versatile match for everyday Japanese-Western fusion cooking, including dishes seasoned with traditional fermented condiments.
When to drink it
Casual weeknight dinners and seasonal new-wine celebrations
Specs
- Grape Varieties
- Zweigelt
- Style
- Red
- Price Range
- ¥2,500-3,000
Terroir & Winemaking
100% Zweigelt, short maceration, released annually as a Novello-style young red.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does Vino Novello taste like?
- It has fresh red-berry fruit with soft tannins and lively acidity, typical of the Novello (new wine) style made through short maceration.
- What food pairs well with Vino Novello?
- It pairs naturally with everyday Japanese-Western dishes, especially those seasoned with soy sauce or miso.
- How should I serve Vino Novello?
- Serve slightly chilled, around 14-16°C, to highlight its fresh fruit character.
Want to know more about this wine?
Ask Vinami's sommelier — no intimidation, just answers.
Talk to the SommelierMore wines from this producer
ヴィーノ・ビアンコ／ピアーノピアーノ
Vino Bianco Pianopiamo
WhiteNiagara · Chardonnay
A slightly dry white blending aromatic Niagara grapes with Chardonnay for added complexity. The Niagara brings tropical, muscat-like fruit aromas while Chardonnay contributes structure and a dry, mineral acidity with notes of pineapple and almond. ABV 10%.
ヴィーノ・チェラスオーロ
Vino Cerasuolo
RoséSteuben
Zio Setto's best-selling wine and one of the winery's signature bottlings, made from Steuben grapes sourced from Tsuruta, Aomori. Released every vintage since 2014, it shows a deep cherry-red hue with strawberry and Muscat-like aromas, a fresh acerola-fruit palate, and a distinctive savory, tomato-like umami note. ABV 12.5%. Selected for the book '99 Japanese Wines' (President Inc., 2017).
カンティーナ・ジーオセット／ツヴァイゲルト（旧称：ガッロヴェルデ）
Cantina Zio Setto Zweigelt (Gallo Verde)
RedZweigelt · Cabernet Sauvignon
The winery's core estate red, grown on its own vineyard at Kakudahama since 2013 and long known as 'Gallo Verde' (Green Rooster). From the 2021 vintage the label was renamed to 'Cantina Zio Setto/Zweigelt.' The 2023 vintage is a blend of 92% Zweigelt and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, ABV 12.5%.
ヴィーノ・ロッソ／ガッロヴェルデ・リゼルヴァ
Vino Rosso Gallo Verde Riserva
RedZweigelt
The winery's flagship special cuvée, made as a tribute to Amarone using an appassimento-inspired technique: late-harvested Zweigelt grapes from the estate at Kakudahama, some partially dried before pressing, to concentrate flavor and sugar. ABV 12%. In the rainy, lower-sunlight 2020 vintage, selective late harvesting and dried-grape additions were used to compensate for reduced ripeness and balance the elevated acidity.
キアレット MON・MON
Chiaretto MON-MON
RoséAglianico
Part of the 'Migliore Amici' (Best Friends) series, made from Aglianico — a Southern Italian black grape rare in Japan — sourced through the winery's partnerships with growers outside Niigata. Vinified via direct pressing (rather than saignée) to produce a Chiaretto-style rosé with pronounced red-fruit (raspberry) aromas that showcase the grape's character.
チンクエウーヴァ・ドゥエテッレ／テッレニイガターネ
Cinque Uva Due Terre Terrani Igaratane
RedNebbiolo · Barbera · Cabernet Sauvignon
A Nebbiolo-based blend (with Barbera and Cabernet Sauvignon in the 2019 vintage) named 'Terrani Igaratane,' a coined phrase meaning 'the land of Niigata,' expressing gratitude for the estate's terroir. Despite its pale color, it shows firm tannins, deep forest-floor and mushroom-like aromas, and a long finish; Barbera lends acidity while Cabernet Sauvignon provides structure, producing a complex wine suited to extended aging.