About Ushiku Budoshu Merlot 2025
- Style
- Red
- Grape Varieties
- Merlot
- Price Range
- ¥4,180
- tax included
- Alcohol
- 13%
Ushiku Budoshu Merlot is the flagship red wine of Ushiku Chateau, released annually from grapes grown and harvested in the winery's own vineyard in Ushiku, Ibaraki Prefecture — the birthplace of authentic Japanese winemaking. The 2025 vintage, released for the chateau's 123rd anniversary, is a 100% Merlot fruit wine (果実酒) made from grapes and sulfites only, with no other fruit or additive ingredients. It shows a gentle, sweetly fragrant nose and a light attack, carried by fresh, pleasant acidity — an approachable, food-friendly red produced in a limited run of 1,200 bottles and bottled with a label inspired by the chateau's Meiji-era (1903) packaging design.
This is the wine that carries Ushiku Chateau's identity as the birthplace of Japanese wine in every glass — a light, gentle Merlot best enjoyed not for complexity but for the 123 years of history behind the label.
New to wine?
A gentle, easy-drinking red with soft acidity and light body — a friendly first taste of Japanese wine history.
Food Pairings
Its light body and bright acidity make it a versatile match for everyday dishes: grilled chicken, hamburg steak, and mild tomato-based pasta. Serve lightly chilled (around 14-16°C) to lift the fresh acidity.
When to drink it
A souvenir bottle from a visit to Ushiku Chateau's historic brick winery, or a casual everyday dinner with grilled or tomato-based dishes.
Terroir & Winemaking
Fruit wine (果実酒) made from 100% Merlot grapes grown and harvested in Ushiku Chateau's own vineyard in Ushiku, Ibaraki. Ingredients: grapes (Ibaraki, Ushiku-grown) and sulfites (antioxidant) only — no other fruit or must is blended in. ABV 13%. Bottled at 750ml under screw cap/cork in a standard glass bottle, produced in a limited run of 1,200 bottles for the 2025 release, the 5th edition of this annual cuvée developed jointly by Ushiku Chateau Co., Ltd. and the Wine Culture Japan Heritage Council.
About the producer
Ushiku ChateauJapan's founding winery, reborn through a citizen campaign.牛久市, 茨城県 · Founded 1903Visit the producer page →More wines from Ushiku Chateau
Frequently Asked Questions
- What grape is Ushiku Budoshu Merlot 2025 made from?
- It is made from 100% Merlot grapes grown and harvested in Ushiku Chateau's own vineyard in Ushiku, Ibaraki Prefecture.
- What does Ushiku Budoshu Merlot 2025 taste like?
- It has a gentle, sweetly fragrant nose with a light attack, and fresh, pleasant acidity that spreads across the palate — an approachable, light-bodied red.
- How much does Ushiku Budoshu Merlot 2025 cost and how many bottles were made?
- It retails for 4,180 yen (tax included) at the Ushiku Chateau shop, in a limited release of 1,200 bottles for the 2025 vintage.
- Is Ushiku Budoshu Merlot 2025 available outside the winery shop?
- It is sold at the Ushiku Chateau shop (in-store and mail order) and served at the on-site Ushiku Chateau restaurant and BBQ terrace.
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