Domaine Ito
Okazaki, Aichi

Grapes: Delaware
Type: White
Style: Dry, light-bodied
Colour: Medium amber
Alcohol: 11.0%
Any added sulphites: 10 ppm 
Filtered: Yes (coarse filter)
Serving temperature: 7-10°C
Production: 287 bottles
Please store in a cool, dark place.

Tasting notes
The wine opens with citrus notes reminiscent of grapefruit peel, along with hints of quince and apricot jam. A bright acidity emerges at the mid-palate, leading to a clean finish with flavours of dried herbs, apple, and Delaware grapes.

Food pairing
Japanese food with sweet flavours such as Kanto-style Japanese omelette, Gohei mochi (skewered sweet rice cakes served with soy sauce and miso), grilled aubergine with sweet miso paste, grilled fish with salt-malted rice (shio koji), simmered hijiki seaweed

Winemaking
Wine made from Delaware, a natural hybrid variety native to the USA. Delaware is characterised by its small size, intense sweetness, moderate acidity and reddish-purple skin. It was introduced from the USA about 150 years ago as a grape variety suitable for cultivation in Japan's humid maritime climate, and is grown in Yamagata, Yamanashi, Osaka and other parts of Japan. 

The vineyard is located in a corner of a quiet residential area in the northern part of Okazaki in Aichi, almost in the middle of Honshu island. It receives sunlight from sunrise to sunset, has wide openings for good ventilation and well-drained sandy-gravel soils. It is a very favourable environment for viticulture. The winery respects the cycles of nature, adopts grass growing organic farming, minimises the use of pesticides. 

In 2024, the winter was mild, but low temperatures in March kept budding in line with the average. Warm weather and good sunlight followed, yet the hot, dry summer led to sunburnt berries and poor colouring, compounded by stink bug damage in August. Yields fell by 20%, but the wine was crafted to highlight Domaine Ito’s hallmark character of table grape flavours.

The flower knot on the label is a Japanese culture that values connections between people. It expresses the wishes of the winery's representative, Mr Takashi Ito, towards his wines. Only 290 bottles were produced. Very special as only 24 bottles are available in Europe!

Nutrition Facts per 100ml
Energy: 73 kcal
Fat: 0 g
 - Saturates: 0 g
Carbohydrate: 2.0 g
 - Sugar: 2.0 g
Protein: 0.1 g
Salt: 0g