What does it taste like?

A bone-dry rosé with aromas of white peach, honey, and red berries such as raspberry and cherry, layered with subtle mineral and oak notes, in a pale salmon-pink color.

What food pairs well with it?

It's versatile with Western dishes like roast pork, veal, and fish tartare, as well as Japanese cuisine such as sashimi, grilled fish, and tempura.

How many bottles are produced?

It's a limited release of roughly 1,700 bottles per vintage.

What temperature should it be served at?

Serve well chilled, around 8-12°C, to highlight its acidity and fresh fruit character.

CuvéeKikyogaharaRosé

Merlot Rosé Avantage

メルローロゼアヴァンタージュ

Domaine KOSEI

Merlot

About this wine

Domaine KOSEI Merlot Rosé Avantage is a rare, limited-production dry rosé made from 100% estate-grown Merlot in the Kataoka district of Shiojiri, Nagano. The wine takes its name from the distinctive French "Avantage" bottle used for the winery's inaugural 2019 vintage release; revived in 2024 after a hiatus, it is produced using the saignée method and aged in French oak barrels, distinguishing it from Domaine KOSEI's standard, unoaked rosé. Limited to roughly 1,700 bottles per vintage, it shows a pale salmon-pink color with aromas of white peach, honey, and red berries, framed by subtle mineral and oak nuances, finishing bone-dry.

Beginner's Note

Proof that Japanese rosé isn't just light and sweet — this bone-dry, barrel-aged Merlot rosé is a great pick for anyone ready to discover a more serious, food-pairing style of rosé.

Sommelier's Note

"Don't let the pretty color fool you — this is a serious, structured rosé built by saignée and barrel aging to pair like a light red, showing just how far Nagano Merlot can go in skilled hands."

Food Pairings

Its bone-dry structure and bright acidity make it a versatile partner for roast pork, veal, and grilled or raw fish; it also pairs beautifully with Japanese dishes such as sashimi, shioyaki-style grilled fish, and vegetable tempura, and its subtle oak richness stands up well to teriyaki-glazed yakitori.

When to drink it

A special-occasion bottle for celebratory dinners, gifting to Japanese wine collectors, or toasting a milestone with something rarer than the everyday rosé.

Specs

Grape Varieties: Merlot
Style: Rosé
Alcohol: 13%
Price Range: ¥3,000-3,500

Terroir & Winemaking

Made from 100% Merlot grown on former mulberry fields at roughly 700m altitude in the Kataoka district. Juice obtained by the saignée (bleeding) method is fermented and then aged in French oak barrels (a mix of new and previously used), giving it more structure and complexity than Domaine KOSEI's standard, unoaked rosé. Bottled unfiltered in the distinctive Avantage bottle first used for the winery's 2019 debut vintage. ABV approximately 13%. Limited to roughly 1,700 bottles per vintage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Avantage bottling different from Domaine KOSEI's standard Merlot rosé?: It's made by the saignée method and aged in French oak barrels, then bottled in the distinctive "Avantage" bottle first used for the winery's 2019 debut vintage — giving it more structure than the standard, unoaked rosé.
What does it taste like?: A bone-dry rosé with aromas of white peach, honey, and red berries such as raspberry and cherry, layered with subtle mineral and oak notes, in a pale salmon-pink color.
What food pairs well with it?: It's versatile with Western dishes like roast pork, veal, and fish tartare, as well as Japanese cuisine such as sashimi, grilled fish, and tempura.
How many bottles are produced?: It's a limited release of roughly 1,700 bottles per vintage.
What temperature should it be served at?: Serve well chilled, around 8-12°C, to highlight its acidity and fresh fruit character.

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