About Izutsu Chardonnay
- Style
- White
- Grape Varieties
- Chardonnay
- Price Range
- ¥1,700-2,000
- Alcohol
- 12
Izutsu Chardonnay is the entry-level, unoaked dry white from Izutsu Wine, one of Nagano's oldest and most decorated wineries, based in the Kikyogahara district of Shiojiri. The grapes are grown on volcanic clay-loam soils shaped by ash from Mt. Norikura and Mt. Ontake, which naturally produce high acidity; malolactic fermentation softens this into a clean, well-balanced dry white. Vinified without oak to preserve varietal purity, it shows a crisp, precise profile with green apple and citrus notes, gentle fruit weight, and a refreshing mineral finish. The wine is GI Nagano certified and won a Silver Medal at the 2024 Japan Wine Competition. It sits alongside Izutsu's barrel-aged (Tarujuku) and single-vineyard Chardonnay bottlings as the winery's approachable, fruit-forward everyday expression of the variety.
Proof that Japanese Chardonnay doesn't need oak to shine — this unwooded bottling lets Kikyogahara's volcanic terroir speak for itself in every crisp, mineral-laced sip.
New to wine?
A gentle, easy-to-drink entry point into Japanese Chardonnay — crisp and fruit-forward without any oak to complicate the picture.
Food Pairings
Pairs well with white fish carpaccio or grilled fish, light cream pasta, and Japanese dishes such as sashimi and tempura, where its clean acidity and mineral finish complement delicate flavors without overpowering them.
When to drink it
Everyday dinners, casual gatherings, Japanese cuisine pairing
Where to Buy
Contains ads (PR)井筒ワイン シャルドネ 720ml
Yahoo! Shopping · 大久保銘酒店
¥1,721In stock井筒ワイン GI シャルドネ 2025 辛口 白ワイン 長野県 国産ワイン イヅツワイン
Yahoo! Shopping · 地酒なかむら
¥1,740In stock井筒ワイン GI シャルドネ 720ml 白 辛口 長野県原産地呼称認定品 GI長野認定品 イヅツワイン 長野県 日本ワイン
Yahoo! Shopping · 日本ワインの専門店 日本葡萄酒店
¥1,799In stock
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Terroir & Winemaking
Chardonnay grown on volcanic clay-loam soils in Shiojiri's Kikyogahara district (ash from Mt. Norikura and Mt. Ontake). Malolactic fermentation is used to soften naturally high acidity. Vinified and aged without oak to preserve varietal freshness. GI Nagano certified. ABV approx. 12%. Bottled under cork, 720ml.
About the producer
Izutsu WineOne of Japan's oldest estate wineries (est. 1933) in the legendary Kikyogahara appellation of Shiojiri, Nagano. Rigorous scientific winemaking extracts the purest varietal character from 23 cultivated grape varieties, including a Kikyogahara Merlot that has become a Japanese wine benchmark.塩尻市, 長野県 · Founded 1933Visit the producer page →Frequently Asked Questions
- What does Izutsu Chardonnay taste like?
- It has a crisp, precise profile with green apple and citrus notes, gentle fruit weight, and a refreshing mineral finish — clean and unoaked.
- Is Izutsu Chardonnay oaked?
- No, this bottling is vinified without oak to preserve the grape's natural freshness. Izutsu also makes a separate barrel-aged (Tarujuku) Chardonnay for those who prefer a richer, oak-influenced style.
- What food pairs well with Izutsu Chardonnay?
- White fish carpaccio, grilled fish, light cream pasta, and Japanese dishes like sashimi and tempura all pair well thanks to its clean acidity and mineral finish.
- Has Izutsu Chardonnay won any awards?
- Yes, it received a Silver Medal at the 2024 Japan Wine Competition, one of many accolades for Izutsu Wine's Kikyogahara-grown wines.
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