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| In the west of the Aizu Basin, the vineyards extend on the sunny
slopes. For the past 30 years, Chardonnay, premium grape variety for white wine,
has been produced here. |
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On the hillside the drainage is good. While the altitude is only
200m, the basin with inland climate provides large temperature variations between
day and night, which is advantageous to growing good grapes. However, as it rains
a lot in autumn here, healthy grapes are often affected by rain just before they
reach maturation. Longstanding problems like that hindered us from harvesting
quality grapes. Hoping to become as competitive as Hokushin that also produces
Chardonnay, we studied how to cope with the problem together with contracted grape
growers; as a result, we began to cover the vineyards by plastic sheets during
harvest season three years ago. |
| Our efforts to produce high quality grapes finally bore fruit
and Niitsuru Chardonnay 2000, the first vintage as Château Mercian Series,
was released in 2001. Niitsuru is originally a remarkable grape-growing area that
can produce high-potential grapes. In order to gain higher reputation as one of
the top producing areas of Château Mercian, we have continued our challenge
and efforts by taking measures against rainfall. As a new producing area of fine
wine, Niitsuru has very promising future. |
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| VINEYARD MANAGER YASURO KATSUNO |
■ 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 |
200m |
Soil Type |
Clay-loam |
| Topography |
Slopes |
Climate |
Inland climate, basin |
| Variety |
Chardonnay |
Trellis system |
Overhead trellis |
| Vine density |
300 vines/ha
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Yield |
15 t/ha |
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