What does Ant Takayama Merlot taste like?

Bright red berry, cherry, and cassis aromas with nutmeg and green pepper spice, soft fruit, gentle tannins, and a clean, easy finish.

Is this wine aged in oak barrels?

No. It is fermented and aged entirely in stainless steel tanks for about seven months, which keeps the fruit fresh and unoaked.

What food pairs well with it?

Its clean, low-tannin profile pairs with a wide range of dishes — from teriyaki chicken and mushroom rice to Western roasted meats with fruit sauces.

What does the name "Ant" mean?

"Ant" is a word in the local Shinshu dialect meaning "thank you," reflecting the winery's gratitude toward Takayama Village and its 13 founding grape-growing families.

CuvéeTakayamaRed

Ant Takayama Merlot

Name: Ant Takayama Merlot
Brand: Shinshu Takayama Winery
Availability: InStock

アント高山村メルロー

Shinshu Takayama Winery

About Ant Takayama Merlot

Style: Red
Grape Varieties: Merlot
Price Range: ¥2,600-3,000

Ant Takayama Merlot is a single-varietal, 100% Merlot red from Shinshu Takayama Winery's estate vineyards in Takayama Village, Nagano Prefecture. "Ant" is a word in the local Shinshu dialect meaning "thank you," chosen to express gratitude toward the village and the 13 grape-growing families behind the winery. Unlike many red wines, it is fermented and aged entirely in stainless steel tanks — no oak — for roughly seven months, preserving a fresh, unadorned expression of the fruit. The nose shows bright red berry, cherry, and cassis notes lifted by nutmeg and green pepper spice; the palate is soft and fruit-forward, with gentle tannins, delicate acidity, and a clean, easy-drinking finish. Alcohol is a moderate ~12.5%.

Sommelier's Note

This unoaked, single-varietal Merlot shows that Takayama Village's cool mountain terroir can deliver clean, precise reds without leaning on oak — a benchmark bottle for understanding Japan's cool-climate Merlot.

New to wine?

A gentle, fruit-forward, unoaked red with soft tannins — an easy and approachable way into Japanese Merlot.

Food Pairings

Its clean, low-tannin, unoaked profile makes it unusually food-friendly for a red. Pairs well with grilled or teriyaki chicken, mushroom rice, tofu and vegetable simmered dishes, and Western roasted meats or game with fruit sauces.

When to drink it

Casual weeknight dinners, izakaya-style gatherings, and everyday drinking with varied dishes.

Where to Buy

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Terroir & Winemaking

100% Merlot, hand-harvested from Shinshu Takayama Winery's estate vineyards in Takayama Village. Fermented and aged entirely in stainless steel tanks (no oak) for approximately seven months to retain fresh fruit character. Alcohol ~12.5%. Medium-bodied.

About the producer

Shinshu Takayama WineryCommunity-owned, 13-family cooperative producing Nagano's most terroir-expressive wines高山村, 長野県 · Founded 2016Visit the producer page →

More wines from Shinshu Takayama Winery

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Ant Takayama Merlot taste like?: Bright red berry, cherry, and cassis aromas with nutmeg and green pepper spice, soft fruit, gentle tannins, and a clean, easy finish.
Is this wine aged in oak barrels?: No. It is fermented and aged entirely in stainless steel tanks for about seven months, which keeps the fruit fresh and unoaked.
What food pairs well with it?: Its clean, low-tannin profile pairs with a wide range of dishes — from teriyaki chicken and mushroom rice to Western roasted meats with fruit sauces.
What does the name "Ant" mean?: "Ant" is a word in the local Shinshu dialect meaning "thank you," reflecting the winery's gratitude toward Takayama Village and its 13 founding grape-growing families.

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