About Akane
- Style
- Red
- Grape Varieties
- Merlot
- Price Range
- ¥1,000-1,500
Akane is a half-bottle (360ml) dry red from Gokase Winery, named after the crimson autumn sunset sky viewed from the winery's hilltop vineyards in Miyazaki. Made primarily from Merlot and aged in stainless steel tanks rather than oak, it keeps a light, fresh style with gentle tannins and crisp acidity. It is a more compact, brighter-styled sibling to the winery's standard 720ml Merlot red, Yuhi.
Akane shows how a half-bottle format and stainless-steel aging can reshape the same Merlot base into something lighter and brighter than its full-bottle sibling Yuhi — a useful contrast for tasting how vessel choice shapes a Japanese red.
New to wine?
A gentle, approachable way to try Japanese Merlot without committing to a full bottle — light-bodied, low in tannin, and easy to finish in one sitting.
Food Pairings
Its light body and crisp acidity make it a natural match for grilled chicken, teriyaki dishes, and simple tomato-based pasta. Serve slightly chilled (around 14-16°C) to highlight its freshness.
When to drink it
Ideal for a solo dinner, a light weeknight meal, or as a compact gift alongside the winery's other half-bottle wines from Gokase's hilltop vineyards in Miyazaki.
Terroir & Winemaking
Bottled in a 360ml half-bottle format. Made primarily from Merlot and matured in stainless steel tanks (no oak aging), preserving fresh fruit character and a light, dry profile with gentle tannins and bright acidity.
About the producer
Gokase WineryKyushu mountain wines made from 100% Gokase-grown grapes.五ヶ瀬町, 宮崎県 · Founded 2005Visit the producer page →Frequently Asked Questions
- What grape is Akane made from?
- It is made primarily from Merlot, grown by local farming families around Gokase Winery in Miyazaki Prefecture.
- How is Akane different from Gokase Winery's other Merlot red, Yuhi?
- Akane comes in a 360ml half-bottle and is aged in stainless steel tanks for a lighter, brighter style with crisper acidity, while Yuhi is a standard 720ml bottle with a softer balance of acidity and tannin.
- Is Akane sweet or dry?
- It is a dry (not sweet) red wine, with a light body, gentle tannins, and crisp acidity.
- What is the meaning behind the name Akane?
- Akane refers to the deep crimson color of the autumn sunset sky, as seen from Gokase Winery's hilltop vineyards in the Kyushu mountains.
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