About Sanbe Jouzou Wine
- Style
- Red
- Grape Varieties
- Fuji no Yume, Hokuto no Shizuku
- Price Range
- Approx. ¥4,400
- tax included, official online store price across the 2019-2022 vintages
Sanbe Jouzou Wine is Iwami Winery's non-estate red bottling, made not from grapes grown on the winery's own Mount Sanbe vineyard but from purchased Japan-bred yamabudou hybrid grapes sourced from Yamanashi and Nagano prefectures. The specific single variety has varied by vintage -- Fuji no Yume (a Merlot x yamabudou cross) in the 2019 and 2020 releases, and Hokuto no Shizuku (a Cabernet Sauvignon x yamabudou cross) in the 2022 release -- while the wine has kept a consistent full-bodied, dry, moderately tannic house style and price point across vintages. It is distinct from the winery's separately labeled, Sanbe-estate-grown 'Sanbe (三瓶) Fuji no Yume' varietal bottling.
Despite carrying the Sanbe name, this is the one Iwami Winery bottling not made from Sanbe-grown fruit -- a shifting showcase of Japan-bred yamabudou hybrid varieties from Yamanashi and Nagano that changes character release to release.
New to wine?
An easy way to sample Japan's yamabudou hybrid grapes -- full-bodied but gentle on tannin, making it an approachable step up for those exploring bigger reds.
Food Pairings
Full-bodied yet moderately tannic, it pairs well with sweet-savory Japanese dishes such as sukiyaki and simmered pork with potatoes, as well as teriyaki chicken and mushroom rice. The yamabudou-derived aromatics also complement mountain-vegetable dishes and root-vegetable simmers.
When to drink it
Fun for comparing vintages, since the grape variety changes from year to year. Good for a sukiyaki-style dinner with friends or as a memento of a visit to Iwami Winery, Japan's only winery inside a national park.
Terroir & Winemaking
Made from Japan-bred yamabudou hybrid varieties sourced from Yamanashi and Nagano prefectures -- Fuji no Yume (Merlot x the native yamabudou strain Gyoja no Mizu) in the 2019-2020 releases, Hokuto no Shizuku (Cabernet Sauvignon x Gyoja no Mizu) in the 2022 release. Unlike the winery's estate-grown 'Sanbe' varietal series, this bottling uses purchased, non-Sanbe fruit. Dry and full-bodied, with the deep color and distinctive aromatics typical of yamabudou hybrids, and tannins gentle enough for easy drinking.
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
- What grape is Sanbe Jouzou Wine made from?
- It varies by vintage -- the 2019 and 2020 releases use Fuji no Yume (a Merlot x yamabudou cross), while the 2022 release uses Hokuto no Shizuku (a Cabernet Sauvignon x yamabudou cross), both Japan-bred hybrid varieties sourced from Yamanashi and Nagano prefectures.
- Is Sanbe Jouzou Wine made from Iwami Winery's own Sanbe-grown grapes?
- No -- unlike the winery's estate 'Sanbe' varietal series (Merlot, Marselan, Fuji no Yume) grown on Mount Sanbe, Sanbe Jouzou Wine is made from grapes purchased from Yamanashi and Nagano.
- What does Sanbe Jouzou Wine taste like?
- It's a dry, full-bodied red with the deep color and distinctive aromatics typical of Japan's yamabudou hybrid grapes, and tannins gentle enough for everyday drinking.
- How much does Sanbe Jouzou Wine cost?
- It has been priced at around ¥4,400 (tax included) across its 2019, 2020, and 2022 vintage releases from the winery's official online store.
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