About MALODELA
- Style
- White
- Grape Varieties
- Delaware
- Price Range
- ¥2,400-2,900
MALODELA is a signature unfiltered 'nigori' white from Hitomi Winery in Shiga, Japan, made entirely from Yamagata-grown Delaware grapes. Its name is a portmanteau of 'malolactic' and 'Delaware' — not, as sometimes assumed, a reference to Muscat of Alexandria — reflecting the winery's practice of letting malolactic fermentation continue inside the bottle to soften Delaware's naturally sharp acidity. The blend combines fully ripe Delaware with a portion of early-harvested, high-acid fruit (locally called 'ao-dela' or 'blue Delaware') to balance concentrated fruit sweetness against bright acidity. Bottled unfiltered and without added sulfites, the in-bottle malolactic activity leaves a gentle natural effervescence and a smooth, savory, umami-tinged finish.
MALODELA is a rare, clever example of naming a wine after its own winemaking technique — in-bottle malolactic fermentation taming Delaware's acidity — and it delivers exactly what the name promises: a smoother, savory, effortlessly drinkable nigori white.
New to wine?
An approachable, gently fizzy introduction to Japanese nigori wine — its softened acidity and umami finish make it easy to enjoy even for first-time natural wine drinkers.
Food Pairings
A versatile food wine that pairs especially well with Japanese cuisine — tempura, grilled fish with salt, sashimi, and sushi. Its gentle acidity and umami depth also suit simmered vegetable dishes and tofu.
When to drink it
Great for casual weekend meals, picnics, or relaxed dinners at home — an easygoing, food-friendly pour rather than a special-occasion bottle.
Terroir & Winemaking
Made from 100% Yamagata Prefecture-grown Delaware, blending fully ripe fruit with early-harvested, high-acid 'ao-dela' (blue Delaware) grapes. The wine is bottled before malolactic fermentation completes, so it continues in-bottle, softening malic acid into lactic acid and generating a slight natural carbonation. Unfiltered, unfined, and bottled without added sulfites in keeping with Hitomi Winery's house 'nigori' style; storage below 14°C is recommended. ABV varies by vintage (recent releases have run roughly 12-13%).
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
- Where does the name MALODELA come from?
- It's a portmanteau of 'malolactic' and 'Delaware' — a reference to the in-bottle malolactic fermentation Hitomi Winery uses to soften this Delaware wine's acidity, not a blend of Muscat of Alexandria and Delaware grapes.
- What grape is MALODELA made from?
- It is made entirely from Delaware grapes grown in Yamagata Prefecture, blending fully ripe fruit with a portion of early-harvested, high-acid 'blue Delaware' (ao-dela).
- What does MALODELA taste like?
- It has a gentle natural effervescence from in-bottle malolactic fermentation, softened acidity, and a savory, umami-rich finish balanced by ripe Delaware fruitiness.
- What food pairs well with MALODELA?
- It pairs especially well with Japanese dishes such as tempura, grilled salted fish, sashimi, and sushi, thanks to its umami depth and gentle acidity.
Want to know more about this wine?
Ask Vinami's sommelier — no intimidation, just answers.
Talk to the Sommelier