About Muscat Bailey A Passi
- Style
- Red
- Grape Varieties
- Muscat Bailey A
- Price Range
- ¥3,300
- Alcohol
- 14%
Passi is Manns Wine's ambitious reinterpretation of Muscat Bailey A, Japan's signature native red grape. Inspired by Amarone, the famous dried-grape wine of Italy's Veneto region, the winemakers partially dry (appassimento) hand-harvested Muscat Bailey A grapes from the Okubo district of Kai City, Yamanashi, to concentrate flavor and structure. The name 'Passi' fuses 'appassimento' (the drying technique) with 'passion' -- the drive behind this experimental cuvee. The result is a dry, medium-bodied red with a pale-to-medium garnet hue, aromas of strawberry, raspberry, dried fruit, chocolate, vanilla and herbs, fine-grained tannins and balanced acidity. The 2019 vintage won a Bronze medal at the Japan Wine Competition 2022 (Domestic Hybrid Varieties, Red category).
Manns Wine's boldest take on Muscat Bailey A -- an Amarone-inspired appassimento technique gives Japan's native grape unusual weight and complexity while keeping it bone dry.
New to wine?
A striking look at how far Japan's native Muscat Bailey A grape can be pushed -- richer, more concentrated and more structured than a typical bottling, yet still approachable.
Food Pairings
The moderate tannin and dried-fruit, chocolate-like richness make it a natural match for glazed and grilled dishes -- think unagi kabayaki, yakitori with sweet tare sauce, or simmered pork -- as well as aged hard cheeses.
When to drink it
A good choice for dinners built around grilled or glazed dishes, or as a special-occasion pour given its limited, experimental character.
Terroir & Winemaking
Hand-harvested Muscat Bailey A grapes from the Okubo district of Kai City, Yamanashi, are partially dried using an appassimento-inspired technique before fermentation to concentrate flavor compounds and tannin structure. Despite the raisining, the finished wine is vinified fully dry. 750ml, ABV 14% (2023 vintage), serving temperature 10-12C.
About the producer
Manns Wine Katsunuma WineryKikkoman's pioneering Koshu winery since 1962, birthplace of Solaris.甲州市, 山梨県 · Founded 1963Visit the producer page →More wines from Manns Wine Katsunuma Winery
- Kobo no Awa KoshuSparkling · Koshu
- Kobo no Awa Koshu BrutSparkling · Koshu
- Kobo no Awa Koshu Demi-SecSparkling · Koshu
- Kobo no Awa RougeSparkling · Muscat Bailey A
- Kobo no Awa RyuganSparkling · Long Yan
- Koshu BambooWhite · Koshu
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does the name "Passi" mean?
- "Passi" combines "appassimento" -- the Italian technique of partially drying grapes before fermentation -- with "passion," reflecting the winemakers' experimental drive to reinterpret Muscat Bailey A.
- Is Muscat Bailey A Passi sweet or dry?
- It is fully dry. Although the grapes are partially dried before fermentation like Amarone, the technique concentrates fruit flavor and tannin rather than leaving residual sugar.
- What is the ABV of Muscat Bailey A Passi?
- The 2023 vintage is bottled at 14% ABV, noticeably higher than a typical Muscat Bailey A wine (around 12%) due to the concentration achieved through drying.
- Has Muscat Bailey A Passi won any awards?
- The 2019 vintage won a Bronze medal in the Domestic Hybrid Varieties (Red) category at the Japan Wine Competition 2022.
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