About Chardonnay Unwooded
- Style
- White
- Grape Varieties
- Chardonnay
- Price Range
- ¥2,700-3,000
- tax incl. approx. ¥2,970
- Alcohol
- 11%
Kusunoki Winery's unoaked Chardonnay is fermented at low temperature in stainless steel tanks and bottled after several rounds of racking, with no oak contact at any stage. Unlike the winery's two barrel-aged Chardonnays — the standard Barrel Aged (ABV 12%, around ¥4,620) and the richer Special Cuvée (ABV 13%, around ¥11,220) — this bottling is built entirely around bright, unadulterated fruit character: green apple, pear, citrus and hints of pineapple, carried by crisp, lively acidity with no vanilla or toasty oak notes. It is also the most affordable of the three Chardonnay cuvées, priced around ¥2,700 (tax excluded) / ¥2,970 (tax included) for the 2023 vintage. While delicious young, it has enough structure to reward a few years of bottle age, developing deeper tropical fruit character over time.
This is the truest expression of Hitakihara Chardonnay fruit in the Kusunoki lineup — no oak to hide behind. Taste it alongside the two barrel-aged cuvées and the vineyard's character becomes unmistakable.
New to wine?
The most approachable of the three Kusunoki Chardonnays — no oak, just clean, crisp fruit. A great starting point before trying the barrel-aged versions.
Food Pairings
The crisp acidity and lack of oak make this an easy match for delicate dishes that the barrel-aged versions would overpower: raw oysters, sashimi, light white fish, and citrus-dressed salads. It also works well as a casual aperitif on its own.
When to drink it
Everyday drinking, casual aperitif, light Japanese meals
Terroir & Winemaking
100% Chardonnay from Kusunoki Winery's own vineyards in Hitakihara, Suzaka, Nagano. Fermented at low temperature in stainless steel tanks with no oak contact, racked several times, and bottled without barrel aging. ABV 11%.
About the producer
Kusunoki WineryElegant, food-friendly Japanese wine from Suzaka's Hitakihara fan.須坂市, 長野県 · Founded 2011Visit the producer page →More wines from Kusunoki Winery
- Beaux LieuxRed · Merlot · Cabernet Franc
- Chardonnay Barrel AgedWhite · Chardonnay
- Chardonnay Barrel-Aged Special CuvéeWhite · Chardonnay
- MyogakuRed · Cabernet Franc · Merlot
- OrangeWhite · White Blend (undisclosed varieties)
- Penguin's LeapWhite · Niagara
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does Kusunoki Winery Chardonnay Unwooded taste like?
- It shows bright green apple, pear, citrus and hints of pineapple, with crisp, lively acidity and no oak or vanilla notes, since it is fermented and aged entirely in stainless steel.
- How is it different from Kusunoki's other Chardonnays?
- Unlike the standard Barrel Aged Chardonnay (ABV 12%) and the Special Cuvée (ABV 13%), which are both fermented or aged in oak barrels, the Unwooded is made without any oak contact, giving it a lighter ABV (11%), fresher fruit character, and a lower price point.
- What food pairs well with this wine?
- Its clean, high acidity pairs well with raw oysters, sashimi, light white fish, tempura, and citrus-dressed salads — lighter dishes than the richer, oak-influenced barrel-aged versions call for.
- Can this wine be aged?
- Yes. While it drinks well young for its fresh fruit and acidity, a few years of bottle age can bring out deeper tropical fruit character and complexity.
Want to know more about this wine?
Ask Vinami's sommelier — no intimidation, just answers.
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