About Cuvée Papilles Late Bottled Delaware
- Style
- White
- Grape Varieties
- Delaware
- Price Range
- ¥3,960
- Alcohol
- 11%
Cuvée Papilles Late Bottled Delaware is a dry white wine made from 100% Delaware grapes grown in Osaka Prefecture by Shimanouchi Fujimaru Winery, part of the winery's flagship 'Cuvée Papilles' series sourced from its own managed vineyards. The grapes are picked slightly early to preserve acidity, whole-bunch pressed, and fermented naturally in an open resin tank. After 12 days of primary fermentation, the wine is racked and aged for 11 months in stainless steel tanks. Because bottling temporarily closed down the aromatics, the winery gave it a full year of additional bottle aging before release — the origin of the 'Late Bottled' name. The result is a wine defined by an unusual citrus character reminiscent of jabara and kabosu (tart, herbal Japanese citrus) rather than bright, sweet mandarin or yuzu notes, a character the winery attributes to the slightly early harvest and natural, unadjusted fermentation (no added sugar or acid).
Proof that Delaware doesn't have to be simple: an early pick and a full extra year in bottle turn this into one of the most savory, food-driven expressions of the variety in Japan.
New to wine?
A dry, savory Delaware white for drinkers ready to move past juicy, fruity styles — its herbal citrus profile is a good next step after Delaware rosé or orange wine.
Food Pairings
A food-friendly white built for the table, especially Japanese cuisine — dashi-based simmered dishes, and simply salt-grilled or simmered chicken and fish, where its herbal citrus edge adds definition.
When to drink it
A quiet dinner at home with dashi-based Japanese dishes, or grilled/simmered chicken and fish.
Terroir & Winemaking
Slightly early-harvested Delaware (100%, Osaka Prefecture), whole-bunch membrane-pressed and fermented naturally in an open resin tank. 12-day primary fermentation, then racked and aged 11 months in stainless steel tanks. 10ppm sulfites added at bottling once fine lees had settled, followed by 1 year of additional bottle aging before release. ABV 11%, total acidity 6.0 g/L, free SO2 4.2ppm. Unfined and unfiltered, so some sediment may occur.
About the producer
Shimanouchi Fujimaru WineryOsaka's pioneering urban winery, and a Japanese trailblazer in qvevri orange wine.大阪市, 大阪府 · Founded 2013Visit the producer page →Frequently Asked Questions
- What grape is Cuvée Papilles Late Bottled Delaware made from?
- It is made from 100% Delaware grapes grown in Osaka Prefecture, picked slightly early to preserve acidity.
- Why is it called 'Late Bottled'?
- After 11 months of tank aging, bottling temporarily closed down the wine's aromatics, so the winery aged it a further year in bottle before release — the source of the name, rather than a reference to a late grape harvest.
- What does it taste like?
- It shows an unusual, savory citrus character reminiscent of jabara and kabosu (tart Japanese citrus) with herbal, understated nuances, rather than the bright, sweet fruit typical of most Delaware wines.
- What food pairs well with this wine?
- It is a food-driven white suited to Japanese cuisine, especially dashi-based simmered dishes and simply salt-grilled or simmered chicken and fish.
- What is the alcohol content?
- It is 11% ABV.
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