［Food & Beverages domain］
New Challenge with Koshu, Japan's Representative Indigenous Grape Variety
New Releases of “Château Mercian Iwade Koshu Ortum 2020”, the top of Koshu, and bringing out the characteristics of its region, “Château Mercian Tsuruoka Koshu 2020”
To enhance the value of Koshu wines to aim “Japan recognized as one of the world's foremost wine regions”
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May 18, 2021
Mercian Corporation
Mercian Corporation (President: Michio Nagabayashi) announces the release of “Château Mercian Iwade Koshu Ortum 2020” in late September 2021 as the Icon series. The top of our Koshu lineup, this wine is made from 100% Koshu grapes grown in the Iwade Vineyard, Yamanashi City, Yamanashi Prefecture. The wine will be available at all Château Mercian wineries*1, and exclusive to the Kirin online shop “DRINX” for members of the “Château Mercian Prestige Passport 2021-2022”. In addition, with a focus on Tsuruoka in Yamagata Prefecture,which is the production region of the indigenous Japanese grape variety Koshu. “Château Mercian Tsuruoka Koshu 2020”, which brings out the best of the character of the Tsuruoka District, will be available from Tuesday 1 June at all Château Mercian wineries and the Kirin online shop “DRINX”.
*1 Château Mercian Mariko Winery, Château Mercian Katsunuma Winery, Château Mercian Kikyogahara Winery
Château Mercian started developing Koshu wines in 1976, and has been producing Koshu wines since then. “Château Mercian Koshu Sur Lie”, which became the standard for dry Koshu, “Château Mercian Koshu Gris de Gris”, which brought out the potential of Koshu grape skin, and “Château Mercian Koshu Kiiroka”, which determined the reputation of aromatic Koshu. We have been challenging the development of various wines to enhance the value of Koshu, this new “Château Mercian Iwade Koshu Ortum 2020”, is the top of our Koshu lineup, and was produced as the result of Château Mercian's challenge to bring out the diverse appeal of Koshu.
Another new release, “Château Mercian Tsuruoka Koshu 2020”, is made from grapes grown in the Tsuruoka District, which has cultivated Koshu continuously since the Edo Period (1603-1868). These grapes has a different terroir from that of Yamanashi, and this will be the first Koshu wine from a new region for Château Mercian in over 40 years.*2
*2 The first new production region with continuous contract cultivation in 40 years
The Kirin Group aims to be a leading CSV*3 company in the world, fully accepting its responsibilities as an alcoholic beverage company while committed to resolving social issues facing health, community and the environment. Château Mercian hopes that the release of these new Koshu variety wines will enhance the value of the Koshu wine brand and of the producing regions, contribute to those areas, and further develop the Japanese wine industry.
*3 Creating Shared Value. Combined added value for consumers as well as for society at large.
Chateau Mercian Iwade Koshu Ortum 2020
This wine has aromas of Japanese citrus such as sudachi and yuzu, and nuances of white flowers, as well as pleasant acidity and minerality with a long finish in the mouth. It is made from only the best grape-producing block of the Iwade Vineyard in Yamanashi City, Yamanashi Prefecture, and is rich in aroma and flavor. The name "Ortum" means "ascent" in Latin, and we named this wine in the hope that it will dramatically sublimate bring the best the potential out of Koshu.
Chateau Mercian Tsuruoka Koshu 2020
This wine has an aroma of citrus fruits such as grapefruit and ripe fruits such as white peach and banana, and having a harmonious combination of moderate acidity and fruitiness. Tsuruoka City in Yamagata Prefecture is a historic grape-growing region, where Koshu is said to have been brought from Edo (Tokyo) during the Edo period (from 1603 to 1868). It is made from Koshu grapes from the Tsuruoka District of Yamagata Prefecture.
True to our wine business slogan of “Creating a pleasant future with wine”, Mercian Corporation will continue to offer wines that bring people together to enjoy each other’s company and spend quality time together.
Notes
| 1. Product Name/Colour/ABV | (1) Chateau Mercian Iwade Koshu Ortum 2020, white, 12% (2) Chateau Mercian Tsuruoka Koshu 2020, white, 12% |
|---|---|
| 2. Contents/Container | 750 ml, bottle |
| 3. Category | Wine |
| 4. Release Date/Location | (1) Late September 2021, available exclusively at the wineries or the Kirin online shop “DRINX” (2) From Tuesday 1 June 2021, available exclusively at the wineries or the Kirin online shop “DRINX” |
| 5. Price | Open |
About Kirin Holdings
Kirin Holdings Company, Limited is an international company that operates in the Food & Beverages domain (Food & Beverages businesses), Pharmaceuticals domain (Pharmaceuticals businesses), and Health Science domain (Health Science business), both in Japan and across the globe.
Kirin Holdings can trace its roots to Japan Brewery which was established in 1885. Japan Brewery became Kirin Brewery in 1907. Since then, the company expanded its business with fermentation and biotechnology as its core technologies, and entered the pharmaceutical business in the 1980s, all of which continue to be global growth centers. In 2007, Kirin Holdings was established as a pure holding company and is currently focusing on boosting its Health Science domain.
Under the Kirin Group Vision 2027 (KV 2027), a long-term management plan launched in 2019, the Kirin Group aims to become “A global leader in CSV*, creating value across our world of Food & Beverages to Pharmaceuticals.” Going forward, the Kirin Group will continue to leverage its strengths to create both social and economic value through its businesses, with the aim of achieving sustainable growth in corporate value.
* Creating Shared Value: combined added value for consumers as well as for society at large.
