About this wine
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.
A gentle, easy-to-drink entry point into Japanese Chardonnay — crisp and fruit-forward without any oak to complicate the picture.
Sommelier's Note
"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."
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
Specs
- Grape Varieties
- Chardonnay
- Style
- White
- Alcohol
- 12
- Price Range
- ¥1,700-2,000
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.
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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Talk to the SommelierMore wines from this producer
メルロー［桔梗ヶ原］
Merlot Kikyogahara
RedMerlot
Izutsu Merlot Kikyogahara is the everyday-drinking expression of Merlot from Izutsu Wine, one of the founding wineries of Nagano's Kikyogahara district — Japan's most acclaimed appellation for the variety. The wine is made entirely from Merlot grown on the high river terrace on the right bank of the Narai River within Kikyogahara, and carries GI Nagano certification. Vinified without oak, as part of Izutsu's minimal-intervention, no-added-preservative series, it shows a deep ruby color, aromas of cassis and cherry with hints of violet and spice, and a soft, medium-bodied palate with gentle, well-integrated tannins. At around ¥2,550 for a 720ml bottle, it offers genuine Kikyogahara Merlot character at an accessible, everyday price.
井筒ワイン メルロー［樽熟］
Izutsu Merlot Barrel-aged
RedMerlot
Izutsu Merlot Barrel-aged is a full-bodied dry red wine made entirely from Merlot grapes grown on Izutsu Wine's estate and contracted vineyards around Shiojiri, Nagano. Fruit from three distinct sub-areas of the Kikyogahara appellation -- Kikyogahara proper, Naraigawa, and Iwatarihara -- is fermented separately, each lot aged for roughly 18 months in French oak barrels before final blending to balance the character of each site. The result is a soft, fruit-forward Merlot with added depth and richness from extended oak aging. The wine is certified as a GI Nagano Premium product, the appellation's highest quality tier, and has been awarded Silver (2012) and Gold (2015) at the Japan Wine Competition, cementing its reputation as one of the definitive barrel-aged Merlots of Japan.
井筒ワイン 無添加 生にごりワイン コンコード
Izutsu Additive-free Concord
RedConcord
Izutsu Additive-free Concord is a seasonal, unfiltered 'nama' (fresh) red wine made entirely from Concord grapes grown in Kikyogahara, Shiojiri, Nagano — the same appellation that produces Izutsu's celebrated Merlot. Bottled directly from the fermentation tank near the end of primary fermentation, with no added sulfites, no heat pasteurization, and only minimal filtration, it preserves the grape's raw, juice-like vibrancy. The result is a semi-sweet, cloudy (nigori) red with a distinctly grapey, candy-like aroma and a soft, easy-drinking palate. Because residual yeast activity continues in the bottle, it often carries a gentle natural spritz that can intensify with time and warmth, so it must be kept refrigerated (10°C or below) and is best enjoyed soon after purchase. Released once a year as a limited autumn 'shinshu' (new wine), it sells out quickly each season.