What does Varietal Series Chardonnay taste like?

It shows lemon, hassaku citrus, and Shinano Gold apple aromas with vanilla from oak aging, leading to a dry, full-bodied palate with concentrated fruit, crisp acidity, and a saline mineral finish.

What food pairs best with this wine?

Cream- and butter-based dishes, grilled white fish, and scallop carpaccio pair beautifully, as does Japanese cuisine such as salt-finished tempura or dashi-based dishes.

Has this wine won any awards?

Yes — the 2022 vintage won a Gold Medal at the Vinalies Internationales, a prestigious French international wine competition organized by the Union des Œnologues de France.

At what temperature should it be served?

It is best enjoyed slightly chilled, around 13-16°C, to balance its acidity and oak-derived richness.

CuvéeTakayamaWhite

Varietal Series Chardonnay

ヴァラエタルシリーズシャルドネ

Shinshu Takayama Winery

Chardonnay

About this wine

Varietal Series Chardonnay is Shinshu Takayama Winery's single-varietal flagship white, made entirely from Chardonnay grown in Takayama Village, Nagano, at 630-830m elevation where a wide diurnal temperature range preserves bright acidity. Part of the harvest is fermented and aged in French oak barrels for richness and vanilla-tinged complexity, while the rest is vinified in temperature-controlled stainless steel to retain fresh yellow-fruit aromatics; the two lots are then assembled into a single wine. The nose shows lemon, hassaku citrus, and Shinano Gold apple layered with oak-derived vanilla, while the palate is dry and full-bodied, with concentrated fruit, taut acidity, and a saline mineral edge. The 2022 vintage won a Gold Medal at the Vinalies Internationales, the prestigious French international wine competition organized by the Union des Œnologues de France, cementing the cuvée's status as one of the benchmark Japanese Chardonnays.

Beginner's Note

A great first taste of serious Japanese Chardonnay — the oak adds richness without hiding the fruit.

Sommelier's Note

"The Vinalies Internationales gold medal is no fluke — this is one of the most convincing arguments that Japanese Chardonnay belongs on the world stage."

Food Pairings

Excellent with cream- and butter-based dishes, grilled white fish, and scallop carpaccio. Its saline mineral edge and crisp acidity also make it a natural match for Japanese cuisine — try it with salt-finished tempura, simmered white fish, or dashi-forward dishes.

When to drink it

Well-suited to celebratory dinners, special gatherings, and gifting to wine enthusiasts, thanks to its award pedigree.

Specs

Grape Varieties: Chardonnay
Style: White
Alcohol: 12.5
Price Range: ¥2,000-3,500

Terroir & Winemaking

100% Chardonnay grown by member families of Shinshu Takayama Winery's 13-farm cooperative in Takayama Village (630-830m elevation). Split-vinified: part barrel-fermented and aged in French oak, part fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel, then assembled. Best served at 13-16°C.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Varietal Series Chardonnay taste like?: It shows lemon, hassaku citrus, and Shinano Gold apple aromas with vanilla from oak aging, leading to a dry, full-bodied palate with concentrated fruit, crisp acidity, and a saline mineral finish.
What food pairs best with this wine?: Cream- and butter-based dishes, grilled white fish, and scallop carpaccio pair beautifully, as does Japanese cuisine such as salt-finished tempura or dashi-based dishes.
Has this wine won any awards?: Yes — the 2022 vintage won a Gold Medal at the Vinalies Internationales, a prestigious French international wine competition organized by the Union des Œnologues de France.
At what temperature should it be served?: It is best enjoyed slightly chilled, around 13-16°C, to balance its acidity and oak-derived richness.

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