About Riesling
- Style
- White
- Grape Varieties
- Riesling
- Price Range
- ¥3,630
- 750ml, tax included, official online store price
Riesling is Iwami Winery's varietal dry-to-off-dry white made from 100% Riesling grapes sourced from Yamanashi and Nagano prefectures, rather than grown on the winery's own Mount Sanbe estate. Unlike most of Iwami's Sanbe-labeled wines -- grown on the volcanic-ash slopes of Mount Sanbe within Daisen-Oki National Park -- this bottling uses purchased fruit, the same non-estate sourcing model as the winery's Sanbe Jouzou Wine red. Fermented at around 15°C to preserve aromatics, it has been released across multiple vintages (2018, 2019, 2020), ranging from dry (2018) to off-dry/medium-dry (2020) in style, with juicy stone-fruit character and a clean, crisp finish. It is a distinct product from the winery's flagship Sanbe Hokuten no Shizuku, which is made from a different, Japan-bred hybrid grape (also named Hokuten no Shizuku) crossed from Riesling and native yamabudou mountain grape, not from pure Riesling.
A rare chance to taste pure varietal Riesling from a Japanese winery better known for its Sanbe-estate reds and its own hybrid grape Hokuten no Shizuku -- don't confuse the two on the shelf.
New to wine?
A friendly introduction to Riesling with juicy peach-like fruit and a clean finish -- not overly sweet or acidic.
Food Pairings
The bright acidity and stone-fruit character pair well with Japanese-style seafood dishes, such as grilled sea bream or sashimi with ponzu, as well as lightly spiced Asian dishes and soft, fresh cheeses.
When to drink it
Casual everyday drinking, aperitif, or pairing with Japanese seafood dinners.
Terroir & Winemaking
Made from 100% Riesling grapes purchased from Yamanashi and Nagano prefectures (not estate-grown on Mount Sanbe). Fermented at approximately 15°C to retain fruit aromatics. Style has varied slightly by vintage: dry in 2018, off-dry/medium-dry ('yaya karakuchi') in 2020.
About the producer
Iwami WineryJapan's only winery located inside a national park.大田市, 島根県 · Founded 2015Visit the producer page →Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Iwami Winery's Riesling made from 100% Riesling grapes?
- Yes, it is a single-varietal wine made entirely from Riesling grapes, sourced from Yamanashi and Nagano prefectures rather than grown on the winery's own Mount Sanbe vineyard.
- Is this the same wine as Sanbe Hokuten no Shizuku?
- No. Sanbe Hokuten no Shizuku is made from a different, Japan-bred hybrid grape (also named Hokuten no Shizuku) created by crossing Riesling with native yamabudou mountain grape. Iwami Winery's Riesling bottling is 100% true Riesling.
- Is Iwami Winery's Riesling sweet or dry?
- It has varied by vintage -- the 2018 release was dry, while the 2020 release was off-dry (medium-dry), both showing peach-like fruit and a clean finish.
- What food pairs well with this Riesling?
- Its bright acidity and stone-fruit character suit Japanese seafood dishes such as sashimi or grilled fish, as well as lightly spiced dishes and fresh soft cheeses.
Want to know more about this wine?
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