If you’ve ever read about Japanese sparkling wines, you’ve probably seen the name “Ajimu.” In recent years, Ajimu’s sparkling wines have swept major Japanese wine awards. At the 2016 Japan-Russia summit, Ajimu’s sparkling white wine was even selected for the official toast between Shinzo Abe and Vladimir Putin, which speaks volumes about its quality.

Ajimu Winery is located in the Ajimu Basin, Oita, Kyushu, where large temperature swings, frequent fog, and a cooler climate make it one of the few places in Kyushu suitable for grape growing. The vineyard covers about 4 hectares and yields 160 tons of grapes per year, focusing on sparkling wines produced by the traditional method of bottle fermentation.

This “bottle fermentation” process means adding yeast and grape syrup to the base wine in the bottle, where fermentation creates natural carbonation. While labor-intensive, this method produces a smoother, more refined texture and is typically used for premium sparkling wines like Champagne.

This release is made from Merlot and bottle-aged for 3 years. The bouquet offers aromas of red berries, strawberry, and toasted bread. The palate is dry and fruit-forward with excellent balance, and the bubbles are fine and persistent. It is officially recommended with Japanese cuisine such as grilled eel.