About Chardonnay Sur Lie
- Style
- White
- Grape Varieties
- Chardonnay
- Price Range
- ¥2,470
- 720ml, tax included
- Alcohol
- 12.5%
A dry white made from 100% Chardonnay grown in the Yamabe district of Matsumoto, Nagano, finished using the traditional sur lie method — extended contact with spent yeast lees that builds texture and depth. Aromas of green apple, pear, and cotton candy lead into a light, lively attack with soft fruit and a touch of natural sweetness, finishing with a pleasant, food-friendly bitterness. One of Yamabe Winery's flagship whites, it has repeatedly placed at the Japan Wine Competition (Bronze for the 2020 vintage, Silver for the 2022 vintage, European Varieties White category).
Yamabe's Sur Lie is a benchmark dry Chardonnay built for Japanese cuisine — green apple aromatics and bright acidity balanced by the subtle richness that only lees contact can give.
New to wine?
Light, approachable, and easy to enjoy — a friendly introduction to dry Chardonnay.
Food Pairings
Best served well-chilled alongside Japanese cuisine — sashimi, grilled fish, and sushi in particular — as well as lightly salted seafood dishes that benefit from its bright acidity and umami-rich texture.
When to drink it
Everyday dinners, casual home drinking, and seafood-focused meals.
Terroir & Winemaking
100% Chardonnay from Matsumoto, Nagano — no imported bulk wine or concentrated must used. Made using the sur lie technique, resting on yeast lees after fermentation to add texture and umami. Bottled at 720ml; ABV has ranged 12.5-13.5% depending on vintage (12.5% for the current 2022 vintage).
About the producer
Yamabe Winery100% Matsumoto-grown grapes, from Nagano's grape-growing birthplace.松本市, 長野県 · Founded 2002Visit the producer page →Frequently Asked Questions
- What grape variety is used in Yamabe Winery's Chardonnay Sur Lie?
- It is made from 100% Chardonnay grapes grown in the Yamabe district of Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, Japan.
- What food pairs well with this wine?
- Its bright acidity and umami-rich texture from lees aging make it an excellent match for Japanese dishes such as sashimi, grilled fish, and sushi.
- What does "sur lie" mean for this wine?
- Sur lie is a winemaking technique where the wine rests on its spent yeast lees after fermentation, which adds body, texture, and subtle umami notes without oak influence.
- Has this wine won any awards?
- Yes. At the Japan Wine Competition, the 2020 vintage won Bronze and the 2022 vintage won Silver, both in the European Varieties White Wine category.
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