About Liaison Vintage
- Style
- Sweet
- Grape Varieties
- Koshu
- Price Range
- ¥2,400 (720ml) / ¥3,200
- 1,800ml
- Alcohol
- 12%
Liaison Vintage is a premium white wine from Hikawa Chuo Winery (Liaison Wine) in Fuefuki City, Yamanashi, made from late-harvest Koshu grapes. Unlike the winery's dry, everyday NOVICE-line Koshu wines (NOVICE Koshu and NOVICE Sur Lie), Liaison Vintage is fermented at low temperature and then matured for several years in the winery's underground cellar. This extended cellar aging — rather than lees contact — gives the wine its distinctive depth and a gently off-dry, semi-sweet character, setting it apart as the estate's aged, more contemplative expression of Koshu.
This is Liaison's answer to the question of what happens when Koshu is given time — late harvest fruit and years of quiet underground aging turn a normally light, dry grape into something rounder and more reflective.
New to wine?
A comfortable entry point for those new to Koshu who find dry white wines too austere — its gentle sweetness and mellow texture from cellar aging make it very easy to enjoy.
Food Pairings
The gentle sweetness and mellow, aged character pair well with slightly sweet-savory Japanese dishes such as teriyaki, simmered fish (nimono), and grilled eel, as well as with soft, creamy cheeses and fruit-based desserts. It also works nicely as a quiet sipping wine on its own.
When to drink it
Ideal for a relaxed evening at home, as an aperitif-to-dessert bridging wine, or as a distinctive gift showcasing an aged Japanese Koshu.
Terroir & Winemaking
Made from late-harvest Koshu grapes to concentrate sugar and flavor. Fermented at low temperature to preserve delicate aromatics, then aged for several years in the winery's underground cellar (not sur lie), resulting in a semi-sweet white with 12% ABV. Bottled in 720ml and 1,800ml formats.
About the producer
Hikawa Chuo WineryFamily-run since 1973, crafting food-friendly Koshu wines.笛吹市, 山梨県 · Founded 1973Visit the producer page →More wines from Hikawa Chuo Winery
- Chateau LiaisonRed · Muscat Bailey A
- Liaison KoshuWhite · Koshu · Sun Semillon · Chardonnay
- Liaison Muscat Bailey ARed · Muscat Bailey A
- Liaison PrestigeRed · Kai Noir · Merlot
- Liaison RoséRosé · Koshu · Muscat Bailey A
- Liaison Sun SemillonWhite · Sun Semillon
Frequently Asked Questions
- What makes Liaison Vintage different from the winery's other Koshu wines?
- It is made from late-harvest Koshu and aged for several years in an underground cellar, rather than being vinified in the standard dry style like NOVICE Koshu or lees-aged like NOVICE Sur Lie. This gives it a mellower, semi-sweet character instead of a crisp dry finish.
- Is Liaison Vintage a sweet or dry wine?
- It is semi-sweet (やや甘口). The combination of late-harvest fruit and extended underground cellar aging softens the wine's acidity and brings out a gentle sweetness.
- Why is it aged in an underground cellar?
- The winery matures the wine for several years in its underground cellar, where cool, stable temperatures allow it to develop added depth and a rounder, more mature character than a young, fresh-style Koshu.
- What food pairs well with Liaison Vintage?
- Its mellow sweetness pairs beautifully with sweet-savory Japanese dishes like teriyaki and simmered fish, as well as soft cheeses and light fruit desserts.
Want to know more about this wine?
Ask Vinami's sommelier — no intimidation, just answers.
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