Domaine Ito
Okazaki, Aichi

Grapes: Kyoho, Jasmine, Shinano Smile, Gorby
Type: White
Style: Dry, light-bodied
Colour: Medium copper
Alcohol: 11.0%
Any added sulphites: 10 ppm 
Filtered: Yes (coarse filter)
Serving temperature: 7-10°C
Production: 1,060 bottles
Please store in a cool, dark place.

Tasting notes
Opens with a subtle reductive flint note that soon gives way to aromas of quince, blossoms, Japanese citrus such as kabosu, apricot and a touch of salinity. The palate shows flavours of loquat, mineral and a gentle Japanese citrus bitterness, with a delicate ginjō-like character reminiscent of sake. The finish lingers with hints of banana, toasty notes and a touch of dairy. Enjoyable for around three days after opening — serve well chilled.

Food pairing
Aji namero (minced horse mackerel with miso and herbs), crab with vinegar, simmered daikon radish, monkfish liver with ponzu, fresh oysters with ponzu, sake-steamed clams, grilled shishamo (smelt), deep-fried oysters with bread crumble, iburigakko (smoked pickled daikon), saba sushi (mackerel sushi), shellfish sushi

Winemaking
A wine made from a variety of Japan’s representative table grapes, including Kyoho, Jasmine, and Shinano Smile. The grapes were de-stemmed, crushed, and pressed before fermentation in stainless steel tanks. After racking, the wine was transferred again to stainless steel, then aged in old barrels. At bottling, only 10 ppm of sulphites were added, and the wine was filtered with a coarse 50 μm filter. No sugar or acid adjustments were made.

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. 

Nutrition Facts per 100ml
Energy: 75 kcal
Fat: 0 g
 - Saturates: 0 g
Carbohydrate: 2.0 g
 - Sugar: 2.0 g
Protein: 0.1 g
Salt: 0g