Aperture Farm and Winery
Tomi, Nagano

Grapes: Muscat Bailey A 80%, Merlot 20%
Type: Red
Style: Dry, light-bodied
Colour: Medium purple
Alcohol: 10%
Wild yeast: Yes
Any added sulphites: No 
Filtered: No
Serving temperature: 10-13°C
Production: 450 bottles
Please store in a cool, dark place.

Tasting notes
Aromas of American cherry, cassis, strawberry, violet and blueberry. Freshly opened, it shows a lively spritz, with a touch of savoury umami like plum dashi and plenty of bright red fruit. Juicy and vibrant with balanced acidity — a versatile wine that pairs well from starters through to mains. Enjoyable for around three days after opening.
 
Food pairing
Kombu-cured sea bream, sanma namero (minced Pacific saury with miso and herbs), fig shiraae (fig with tofu dressing), chicken tsukune (grilled chicken meatballs), miso-simmered mackerel, saikyo-yaki black cod (sweet miso-marinated grilled cod), lotus root and duck patties, jingisukan (Hokkaido-style grilled lamb), barbecue, inari sushi (sushi rice in fried tofu pockets)

Winemaking
In 2024, instead of purchasing white grapes, the winery sourced Muscat Bailey A from a grower in Komoro, the neighbouring city to Tomi. Although not part of the original plan, this was the first time working with Muscat Bailey A. To gain a deeper understanding of the variety, winemaker Ryo Tanabe even travelled to Iwanohara Vineyard in Niigata, where Muscat Bailey A originated, to study the vineyards and cellar.

The grapes underwent 15 days of whole-cluster carbonic maceration before being foot-crushed. This was followed by 15 days of maceration, then pressing near the end of fermentation and four months of barrel ageing. Before bottling, 20% Merlot was blended in. The Merlot, grown by a grape farmer in Tomi where the winery is located, was hand de-stemmed and fermented with carbonic maceration for 20 days using only the berries. It was then crushed and fermented on skins for 15 days, followed by a short period of barrel ageing.

Nutrition Facts per 100ml
Energy: 68 kcal
Fat: 0 g
 - Saturates: 0 g
Carbohydrate: 1.5 g
 - Sugar: 1.5 g
Protein: 0.2 g
Salt: 0g