Why is it called 'Nemuri-Hime' (Sleeping Beauty)?

The wine was originally intended to be a bottle-fermented micro-sparkling wine, but the secondary fermentation stalled, leaving the yeast 'asleep' rather than active. Because that dormant yeast could wake up again over time and turn the wine lightly sparkling, it was named after the sleeping princess of the fairy tale.

Is Nemuri-Hime a sweet or dry wine?

It is a gently sweet ('yasashii amakuchi') still white, with a fresh, apple-like sweet-tartness — a result of the fermentation not fully converting the grapes' natural sugars as originally planned.

It is an ultra-limited release sold only within Yamagata Prefecture, so availability outside the region is very limited even among Grape Republic's other cuvées.

CuvéeYamagataWhite

Nemuri-Hime

眠り姫

Grape Republic

About Nemuri-Hime

Style: White
Grape Varieties: Delaware, Steuben
Price Range: ¥2,750; 750ml, tax included

Nemuri-Hime ('Sleeping Beauty') is a playful, ultra-limited white cuvée from Grape Republic, sold only within Yamagata Prefecture. It began life as a planned micro-sparkling wine, but the intended bottle re-fermentation never fully took hold, leaving the wine's yeast 'asleep.' The result is a gently sweet still white, with the whimsical possibility that the dormant yeast could one day wake up and turn lightly fizzy on its own. Made from Delaware (95%) blended with a touch of Steuben (5%), both grown in the winery's home ground of Nanyo City, Yamagata, it shows the candied, aromatic sweetness typical of Japanese table-grape varieties alongside a streak of herbal greenness, with a fresh, apple-like sweet-tart fruitiness on the palate.

Sommelier's Note

Nemuri-Hime is a small, unpretentious example of Grape Republic's hands-off, let-the-wine-decide philosophy: a sparkling wine that simply refused to wake up, bottled as-is rather than corrected. What could have been treated as a flaw becomes the wine's whole identity — a gently sweet, herbal-edged Delaware-Steuben blend sold only around its home in Yamagata, with the tongue-in-cheek promise that it might still 'wake up' into a light fizz in your glass.

New to wine?

An easy, playful glass for newcomers to natural wine: gently sweet, low in complexity, and served simply chilled. Its backstory — a sparkling wine that fell asleep mid-fermentation — makes for a fun conversation piece as much as a wine.

Food Pairings

Because the wine's acidity is soft, it pairs well with dishes that bring their own tangy accent — cheese and raw vegetables in particular. Try it with a chilled pasta of eggplant and tuna in basil sauce, or a celery and blue cheese salad.

When to drink it

Best enjoyed thoroughly chilled as a casual, easy-drinking pour — perfect for a relaxed gathering with friends or as a lighthearted gift, given its 'sleeping beauty' story and Yamagata-only availability.

Terroir & Winemaking

A blend of Delaware (95%) and Steuben (5%), both grown in Nanyo City, Yamagata Prefecture. Originally vinified with the aim of producing a bottle-fermented micro-sparkling wine, but secondary fermentation stalled before it could develop noticeable effervescence, leaving the wine as a gently sweet still white with dormant yeast still present. Because that yeast could become active again over time, the producer suggests it may still turn lightly sparkling in bottle. 2025 vintage; 750ml. Serve well chilled for a crisp, refreshing style, or slightly warmer to bring out a rounder, mellower character; a wide-mouthed glass is recommended over a narrow one.

About the producer

Grape RepublicJapan's largest amphora-fermented, zero-additive natural wine producer南陽市, 山形県 · Founded 2017Visit the producer page →

More wines from Grape Republic

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Frequently Asked Questions

What grapes are used in Nemuri-Hime?: A blend of Delaware (95%) and Steuben (5%), both grown in Nanyo City, Yamagata Prefecture, Grape Republic's home ground.
Why is it called 'Nemuri-Hime' (Sleeping Beauty)?: The wine was originally intended to be a bottle-fermented micro-sparkling wine, but the secondary fermentation stalled, leaving the yeast 'asleep' rather than active. Because that dormant yeast could wake up again over time and turn the wine lightly sparkling, it was named after the sleeping princess of the fairy tale.
Is Nemuri-Hime a sweet or dry wine?: It is a gently sweet ('yasashii amakuchi') still white, with a fresh, apple-like sweet-tartness — a result of the fermentation not fully converting the grapes' natural sugars as originally planned.
Where can I buy it?: It is an ultra-limited release sold only within Yamagata Prefecture, so availability outside the region is very limited even among Grape Republic's other cuvées.

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