About Hosaka Muscat Bailey A Cold Maceration
- Style
- Red
- Grape Varieties
- Muscat Bailey A
- Price Range
- ¥1,650-2,800
- MSRP ¥1,747 incl. tax, 750ml, 2024 vintage
- Alcohol
- 12%
A medium-bodied red from the Château Mars range, made from 100% Muscat Bailey A grown in the Hosaka district of Nirasaki, Yamanashi, and vinified at Mars Hosaka Winery (part of Hombo Shuzo's Mars Yamanashi Winery). Produced using the cold maceration method — a multi-day pre-fermentation cold soak of destemmed, crushed grapes that boosts extraction of flavor and color compounds — the wine shows abundant strawberry and raspberry aromatics with soft, approachable tannins and a smooth, easy-drinking texture. Best served lightly chilled. Vintages have earned repeated honors at the Japan Wine Competition, Japan Wine Challenge, IWSC and SAKURA Japan Women's Wine Awards.
The cold maceration technique is what sets this wine apart from Château Mars' other Muscat Bailey A bottlings — it draws out deeper color and riper berry fruit while keeping the tannins soft, making it one of the most food-friendly entry points into Japanese red wine.
New to wine?
A friendly, fruit-forward introduction to Japan's native Muscat Bailey A grape — soft tannins and juicy berry aromas make it easy to enjoy chilled.
Food Pairings
Pairs well with grilled or teriyaki-glazed chicken, pork dishes with sweet-savory sauces, and strawberry- or berry-based desserts. The soft tannins and bright red-fruit character also work with lightly chilled charcuterie.
When to drink it
Casual dinners, everyday meals with Japanese or Chinese-style sweet-savory dishes.
Terroir & Winemaking
100% Muscat Bailey A from contract vineyards in the Hosaka district of Nirasaki, Yamanashi. Destemmed and crushed grapes undergo several days of pre-fermentation cold maceration (cold soak) in tank to enhance extraction of aroma and flavor compounds before fermentation. ABV 12%. Ingredients: grapes (Hosaka-grown), antioxidant (sulfites). Bottled at 750ml; vinified at Mars Hosaka Winery.
About the producer
Mars Yamanashi WineryOver 60 years crafting Yamanashi's Chateau Mars wines笛吹市, 山梨県 · Founded 1960Visit the producer page →More wines from Mars Yamanashi Winery
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What does Hosaka Muscat Bailey A Cold Maceration taste like?
- It is a medium-bodied red with abundant strawberry and raspberry aromatics, soft and approachable tannins, and a smooth, easy-drinking finish — best enjoyed lightly chilled.
- What is the cold maceration method used to make this wine?
- Cold maceration (cold soak) means destemmed and crushed grapes are steeped in tank at low temperature for several days before fermentation begins, which enhances the extraction of color, aroma and flavor compounds.
- How is this different from Château Mars' Muscat Bailey A Penguina?
- Both are 100% Muscat Bailey A from Hosaka, but they are distinct cuvées: Penguina is a lighter-bodied, playfully-labeled 'chilled red' released in 2026, while the Cold Maceration bottling is a longer-established, medium-bodied wine defined by its pre-fermentation cold soak technique, on the market since the mid-2000s.
- What foods pair well with this wine?
- It pairs especially well with teriyaki chicken, ginger pork, and other sweet-savory Japanese dishes, as well as strawberry or berry-based desserts.
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