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| The vineyards dot the slopes along the Chikuma River around Toyono-cho,
Suzaka-shi, and Takayama-mura. This area enjoys optimum conditions for producing
excellent Chardonnay, because the alluvial soil formed by the Chikuma River provides
good drainage; also it has a little rain and large variations in temperature between
day and night. |
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We started lyre system of Chardonnay here in 1991. It was because
of the idea to employ the growing system in other areas besides Jyonohira where
vertical shoot positioned trellis was first started and a certain success had
been established by that time. Since then, in cooperation with grape growers,
we have made various viticulture practices concerning canopy management so that
Château Mercian Hokushin can reflect the terroir. As a result, allowed us
to harvest remarkable Chardonnay. |
The type of soil is different between the left and right bank
of the Chikuma River: clay-loam soil on the left bank (Toyono-cyo) and gravel
soil on the right bank (Suzaka-shi, Takayama-mura). Recently the grapes began
to show the differences of character by terroir, as they are more elegant in flavour
on the clay-loam soil, and more powerful plus intense in aroma on the gravel.
"Château Mercian Hokushin Chardonnay 1998" vinified from Chardonnay
harvested here won The Best Chardonnay at Japan International Wine Challenge in
1999, having competed with countless entries from all over the world. |
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| VINEYARD MANAGER HIROYUKI SHIOBARA |
■ Chardonnay (for white wine)
It is popular all over the world and typical grape variety of Burgundy, France.
After aging it develops rich aroma and complexity, making magnificent wine. |
| Altitude |
350 〜500m
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Soil Type |
Left bank: Clay-loam
Right bank: Gravel |
| Topography |
Slopes |
Climate |
Inland climate, basin |
| Variety |
Chardonnay |
Trellis system |
Lyre trellis |
| Vine density |
3000 vines/ha
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Yield |
10 t/ha |
|
 I like
wine by nature. When I drink imported wines, I feel they are something different,
kind of heavy. I'd like to drink tasty wine made from my own grapes - that's all
I want. And that's why I asked Mercian to let me grow European grape variety.
Of course, I didn't intend to use traditional method by overhead trellis Unless
using vertical shoot positioned trellis or lyre trellis, it's no worth doing.
I think we don't need to produce the same taste as Burgundy, as long as the wine
has the distinguished character as Japanese wine. We've only achieved 50 marks
out of 100 so far, but that means we can still enjoy the process of gaining more
50 marks. I hope we will be able to produce outstanding Japanese wine that can
win everyone's admiration in the near future, so that people overseas will visit
Japan to see how we grow grapes for Japanese-style wine. |
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Grape grower SOICHI SATO
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