About Kazuo Abe Steuben
- Style
- White
- Grape Varieties
- Steuben
- Price Range
- ¥1,870
- Alcohol
- 8%
Kazuo Abe Steuben is a single-vineyard bottling in Oura Budoshu's 'Budoubatake Selection' (vineyard selection) series, made entirely from Steuben grapes grown by veteran farmer Kazuo Abe in Akayu, Nanyo City, Yamagata. Unlike Oura's ice-wine-style Ice Sweet Steuben, this is a normally pressed, off-dry white bottled without oak aging so the vineyard's own character comes through, with the fragrant aromatics and soft, gentle palate typical of the Steuben grape.
A rare chance to taste Steuben grown by one named farmer — proof that Yamagata's individual growers, not only its wineries, shape the region's wine character.
New to wine?
A gentle, easy-drinking off-dry white — a great first taste of Japan's Steuben grape.
Food Pairings
Its soft, off-dry character pairs well with mildly spiced Asian dishes, cream-based pasta, and semi-hard cheeses.
When to drink it
Best served chilled at 5-7°C as an aperitif or alongside a casual home-cooked meal.
Terroir & Winemaking
Produced under Oura Budoshu's 'Budoubatake Selection' concept, which bottles single-grower, single-variety wines directly without oak aging to reflect each vineyard's character. The black Steuben grape is gently pressed in the manner of a white wine, yielding a pale, off-dry style. 750ml, ABV 8%.
About the producer
Oura BudoshuHistoric Yamagata winery, family-run since 1939南陽市, 山形県 · Founded 1939Visit the producer page →Frequently Asked Questions
- What makes this different from Oura Budoshu's Ice Sweet Steuben?
- Ice Sweet Steuben is an ultra-sweet dessert wine made by freezing the grapes to concentrate their sugars. Kazuo Abe Steuben is a normally pressed, off-dry white from Steuben grapes grown in a single vineyard by farmer Kazuo Abe, bottled without oak aging.
- Steuben is usually a black grape — why is this a white wine?
- Steuben is indeed a black grape, but Oura Budoshu presses it gently in this bottling, limiting skin contact so it comes out as a pale, off-dry white rather than a red.
- How should I serve it?
- Serve it chilled to about 5-7°C, the temperature the winery itself recommends.
Want to know more about this wine?
Ask Vinami's sommelier — no intimidation, just answers.
Talk to the Sommelier