テーマワイン · メルロー · 新発売 · 2025年04月01日

The 2023 vintage of "Izu Merlot" has just arrived, boasting a smooth texture and a fresh fruity taste.

Izu Merlot is a particularly well-balanced red wine among the many wines produced by Nakaizu Winery.

This is a red wine that can be enjoyed by people who say, "I usually drink white wine, but not so much red wine," or "I don't like the strong tannins that are typical of red wine."

In this article, Okawa, who runs the Nakaizu Winery official online shop, introduces the Izu wines produced at Nakaizu Winery. Please read to the end, and we hope that this will be one of the reasons why you will pick up a product!

1. What is Merlot?

Merlot originated in the Bordeaux region of France and is said to have been cultivated since the 17th century. It is world-famous as a grape variety for red wine and is loved by many people.

Merlot is generally characterized by aromas of black fruits such as blackcurrant and blackberry, as well as red fruits such as plum and cherry. It also has a well-balanced acidity and tannins, making it a red wine that pairs well with a variety of dishes.

Even the same Merlot can have a very different flavor depending on the region and producer, and this Izu Merlot grown in Izu is no exception. It might be fun to try different Merlots and find the flavor that suits you best.

2. Izu Merlot 2023 Tasting Report

Now, let's take a closer look at the Izu Merlot 2023. For the tasting, we will introduce it in three categories: appearance, aroma, and taste.

First, the appearance

Far from the image that people who don't like red wine might have of it being "heavy," "strong," or "difficult to drink," it has a gentle color that makes you think, "Even I could drink this!"

Looking more closely, the wine has a beautiful pale purple edge* , a pale ruby color, and a slight reddish color in the center, making it a charming pink color that could best be described as beautiful.

The alcohol content is 13% and the viscosity is "medium."

Edge* : This refers to the edge of the glass when the wine is poured into it. When tasting, people often tilt the wine glass slightly to look at the color of the edge. This allows you to see the color change depending on the degree of aging!

Next is "fragrance."

The attack* has the unique characteristics of the variety mentioned above, but also has a sweet aroma reminiscent of maple syrup and strawberry candy, as well as a spicy, astringent aroma reminiscent of cloves .

Compared to the 2022 vintage, it seemed like the aroma was a little more intense !

Swirling* allowed me to detect darker fruity notes like blackberries and floral notes reminiscent of black lilies .

Attack* : This is the first impression you get when tasting a wine.

Swirling* : The action of turning a wine glass. This action brings the wine into contact with air, opening up the aroma and changing the flavor.

Finally, the taste

The tannins are medium, and the acidity is slightly refreshing and soft.

There is a subtle but rich sweetness in the background.

However, what can be said for sure is that it is a solid "dry wine"!

Typical Merlots tend to have a subtle "non-fruit sweet aroma nuance."

This "sweet aroma like maple syrup and strawberry candy" and "astringent spicy aroma like cloves" may be characteristics unique to Izu Merlot.

It feels "young" and "acid-based," but the acidity is soft, so the overall balance is just right!

The aroma and flavor that lingers in your nose after swallowing lingers for a long time (more than 10 seconds), and it seems to change depending on the temperature of the wine when you drink it.

3. Food suggestions to go with Izu Merlot 2023

The first thing that comes to mind is beef stew .

Rather than something made with a thick roux, we recommend a lighter type such as a red wine stew.

When red wine is simmered, the acidity softens and the umami flavor is concentrated. This acidity and umami flavor combine with the flavor of this Izu Merlot 2023 to create a complex layer of umami flavor that will elevate your everyday meal.

Other good options would be lean steak with low fat content (we recommend seasoning it with salt, pepper, and wasabi) or beef jerky !

Depending on how you drink it, it has such a balanced taste that you could rely on it for a full course meal.

By gradually raising the temperature of the wine as you move from the appetizer to the main course, you can gradually appreciate the deeper flavors and aromas.

This will allow you to enjoy the meal in a way that suits the flow of the course meal.

4. Summary

If I had to describe this "Izu Merlot 2023" in one word, it would be:

"A wine that has been dressed up to the max by highly educated women"　

is!!!

*Don't be fooled by its charming pink appearance or sweet scent!

This is a dry red wine with a strong core that cannot be seen from the outside.

The unique aroma, mild acidity and tannins of Izu Merlot, which are not found in Merlots produced overseas, make it a great choice for people of all ages and genders, even those who are trying red wine for the first time.

I would be happy if many people would try it and leave a review with their impressions (^^)/

See you next time!