Fuijamaru Glou Glou Rouge 2023

Grape Varietals & Region: A blend of Merlot & Muscat Bailey A from Yamagata, Japan

Taste Profile: On the nose, hints of blackberry and ripe blueberry, layered with spices like white pepper and nutmeg, plus just a touch of bell pepper can be found. On the palate, it has the smooth tannins and gentle oakiness typical of barrel-aged Merlot, which then gives way to the light, fruity character and aroma of Muscat Bailey A on the finish. It has a flavor profile reminiscent of natural wines from Ardèche in France. Enjoy the wine on the day after opening it.

Winemaking Process: The Merlot was destemmed, crushed, and fermented in open tanks for 22 days. The Muscat Bailey A underwent the same process, with a 20-day maceration and fermentation period. Fermentation was carried out with great care, applying minimal force to avoid stressing the fruit.

After fermentation, the wines were promptly pressed and transferred to wooden barrels for 10 months of maturation. Following barrel maturation, the wines were racked and moved to stainless steel tanks, where they were blended. At the time of tank transfer, 20 ppm of sulphites was added to protect against oxidation. After allowing the wine to settle for one month, it was bottled.