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Grape Republic
Rosa Frizzante
2021
3.9
Region
Japan › Nihon Wine (日本ワイン)
Type
rose · ancestral · sparkling · brut-nature
Grapes
Steuben, Delaware
Alcohol
11%
Volume
750 mL
Sugar
12 g/L
Tasting Notes(1)
3.9
The wine was served blind, and though I didn't pinpoint the country, I put my bet on Kindeli, a New Zealand venture by Alex Craighead, who is associated with Grape Republic. In that sense, I consider it a partial success. Rating it was a challenge; I wavered between 3.9 and 4.0, ultimately settling on 3.9 due to the blind tasting element and a touch of caution.
This wine is truly delightful, featuring prominent strawberry notes alongside herbal hints, wet pebbles, and a slight oily texture. Its freshness is complemented by a pleasing herbal dryness in the finish, which balances the wine's subtle sweetness (around 12g/L of residual sugar). Overall, it's a very enjoyable experience with a compact and light finish.
About
This wine is crafted entirely from grapes grown in Yamagata Prefecture, using Delaware (53%) and Steuben (47%) varieties. The grapes underwent various vinification techniques before being blended to ensure the wine remained balanced and not overly tannic. Fermentation took place in stainless steel vats, and the wine was bottled with 12g/L of residual sugar to create a light pétillant effect.
To fine-tune the sugar content, Delaware juice was added before bottling, triggering a second fermentation in the bottle. No antioxidants were used in the process, staying true to a natural approach.
