About Mare no Ka
- Style
- Red, Sweet
- Grape Varieties
- Muscat Bailey A
- Price Range
- Approx. ¥5,280
- tax included, 750ml
- Alcohol
- 16%
Mare no Ka is a flavored, fortified wine from Chitose Winery, launched November 18, 2021. It starts from a red wine made with Muscat Bailey A, a fruity and light Japanese grape variety, which is fortified with French brandy. The wine is then infused with orange peel and kombu (kelp), giving it citrus brightness and a savory umami depth evocative of Hokkaido's rich sea. Bottled at 750ml and 16% ABV, it was created specifically to pair with Japanese cuisine.
An unconventional fusion wine: Muscat Bailey A fortified with brandy, then infused with orange and kombu. Try it alongside sukiyaki or soy-glazed dishes to see how the umami of the kombu plays against the sweetness.
New to wine?
A sweet, easy-drinking fortified wine that bridges wine and Japanese flavors — a good entry point for those who find dry wines too sharp, especially alongside soy-sauce-based dishes.
Food Pairings
Designed to pair with Japanese cuisine featuring soy sauce or sweet-savory glazes, such as sukiyaki, yakitori with tare sauce, and wagyu steak seasoned with soy sauce. The kombu-derived umami harmonizes with the richness of these dishes.
When to drink it
Good for festive family meals such as New Year's sukiyaki, or as a distinctive gift for those interested in Japanese wine innovation.
Terroir & Winemaking
Base: Muscat Bailey A red wine. Fortified with French brandy, then macerated with orange peel and kombu (kelp) to extract citrus aromatics and umami. Bottle size 750ml, ABV 16%. Released November 18, 2021 as Chitose Winery's first flavored wine designed for pairing with Japanese food.
About the producer
Chitose WineryGrace Wine's Hokkaido winery — elegant Kerner & Pinot Noir千歳市, 北海道 · Founded 1988Visit the producer page →Frequently Asked Questions
- What grape and style is Mare no Ka made from?
- It starts as a Muscat Bailey A red wine, fortified with French brandy and then infused with orange peel and kombu (kelp), making it a sweet, fortified flavored wine.
- What food should I pair it with?
- It was designed to pair with Japanese dishes that use soy sauce or sweet-savory glazes, such as sukiyaki, yakitori with tare, and soy-seasoned wagyu steak.
- What is the ABV and bottle size?
- 16% ABV in a 750ml bottle.
- Is it a dry wine?
- No, it is a sweet, fortified wine with a rich texture from the brandy and umami depth from the kombu infusion.
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