About cuvee IMAJO
- Style
- Red
- Grape Varieties
- Muscat Bailey A
- Price Range
- ¥2,600-2,800
cuvee IMAJO is a single-vineyard red from Hitomi Winery, made from 100% Muscat Bailey A grapes grown at the Imajo vineyard in Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture (a different site from the winery's home base in Higashiomi). The grapes are fermented using maceration carbonique, pressed roughly three weeks after the start of fermentation, then rested about a month before bottling. In keeping with Hitomi's house 'nigori' style, it is bottled unfiltered and without added sulfites. The result is a light-bodied, dry red with bright, clean berry aromatics and a soft, low-tannin finish — vintages with longer bottle aging develop deeper, dashi-like umami notes alongside the fresh fruit.
A quietly excellent expression of Muscat Bailey A — its soft tannins and clean berry fruit show how gentle and food-friendly Japan's natural nigori reds can be.
New to wine?
A gentle, approachable way into Japanese natural red wine — light-bodied, low in tannin, and easy to enjoy chilled.
Food Pairings
A versatile, food-friendly red thanks to its soft tannins and bright acidity. Excellent with yakitori, grilled or simmered chicken, and light Japanese home cooking built on soy sauce and dashi.
When to drink it
Casual dinners, everyday meals with Japanese home cooking, and relaxed gatherings with friends.
Terroir & Winemaking
100% Muscat Bailey A from the Imajo vineyard, Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture. Fermented via maceration carbonique; pressed about 3 weeks after fermentation begins, then rested roughly 1 month before bottling. Bottled unfiltered (nigori) with no added sulfites; some vintages retain a touch of residual sugar and are closed with a crown cap as a precaution against secondary fermentation in bottle. Alcohol content varies by vintage (recent releases have measured around 10-11% ABV).
About the producer
Hitomi WineryPioneer of Japan's unfiltered 'nigori' wine since 1994東近江市, 滋賀県 · Founded 1991Visit the producer page →Frequently Asked Questions
- What does cuvee IMAJO taste like?
- It offers clean, vibrant berry aromas with soft, low tannins and a gentle finish. Fruit-forward and pure thanks to natural fermentation, with vintages that have aged longer in bottle showing deeper, savory (dashi-like) umami alongside the fruit.
- What grape is cuvee IMAJO made from, and where is it grown?
- It is made from 100% Muscat Bailey A grapes grown at the Imajo vineyard in Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture — a different vineyard site from Hitomi Winery's home base in Higashiomi City.
- What food pairs well with cuvee IMAJO?
- Its soft tannins and bright acidity make it very food-friendly, especially with Japanese dishes such as yakitori, soy-sauce based simmered chicken, and other soy- and dashi-seasoned home cooking.
- How is cuvee IMAJO made?
- The grapes are fermented using maceration carbonique, pressed about three weeks after fermentation begins, rested for roughly a month, then bottled unfiltered and without added sulfites, in keeping with Hitomi Winery's signature 'nigori' style.
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