With the arrival of summer, our dining tables demand light and refreshing flavors.

The Izu Chardonnay 2024 Unwooded that we would like to introduce today is perfect for this season.

This unwooded wine, made without oak aging, maximizes the pure flavor and refreshing acidity of Chardonnay. It is sure to be a highlight on your dinner table this summer.

---

Fresh and gorgeous aroma

Poured into the glass, the Izu Chardonnay 2024 Unwooded has a striking, transparent pale color reminiscent of the lemon yellow of Hawaii.

As you bring the glass close to your nose, a gorgeous, voluminous aroma spreads. The sweet, fresh aroma of melon is felt at the forefront, with refreshing citrus notes like lemon nestled in the background. The concentrated fruit aroma truly seems to overflow from the glass.

On the other hand, rather than being overripe and sweet, it also has a youthful impression, reminiscent of a green melon. This is probably because the aroma of ripe fruit is combined with the refreshing sensation of lemon, creating a sweet yet clean aroma, almost like a melon compote with lemon.

There is also a subtle hint of herbs like thyme, which adds to the depth of the fragrance.

Sparkling acidity and tropical fruitiness

This wine is all about enjoying the freshness and sparkle that you sense on the attack* , an impression that becomes even more pronounced on the palate.

The first thing you notice is a vibrant acidity that spreads across your palate. This is followed by a gentle sweetness that supports the acidity. The balance of this acidity and sweetness is just like biting into a ripe grapefruit, directly conveying the true flavor of the fruit.

As time passes, the melon aroma changes to a tropical aroma reminiscent of passion fruit. One of the charms of this wine is that it shows a more complex and deep tropical fruit expression rather than a single aroma like lychee or pineapple.

Perfect pairing with summer ingredients

Izu Chardonnay 2024 Unwooded has a clean, straightforward fruit flavor that can be further enhanced by pairing it with selected ingredients. It is particularly well-suited to simple summer seafood dishes.

Recommended seafood :

• Flying fish and halfbeak sashimi (with salt) : The acidity and sweetness of the wine bring out the elegant umami of these fish. Extra virgin olive oil and soy sauce can overpower the delicate flavor of the wine, so it is recommended to eat them simply with salt.

• Grilled salted red sea bream, barracuda, red snapper, black porgy, etc .: White fish with a subtle aroma and deep flavor go perfectly with this wine. The umami of the flesh of white fish, which is in season from summer to autumn, will particularly bring out the refreshing taste of the wine.

Pairing tips :

This wine may clash with ingredients with a strong, distinctive aroma, such as blue fish like sardines or mackerel. To bring out the fresh, fruity flavor of the wine, it's important to choose a simple cooking method that brings out the umami and sweetness of the ingredients themselves . If you're making carpaccio, it's best to choose a milder-smelling oil, such as pure olive oil, rather than extra virgin olive oil.

The evolving diversity of Chardonnay

In modern winemaking, Chardonnay is enjoyed in a wide variety of styles. In addition to the classic barrel-aged style with its rich vanilla and nutty aromas, unwooded Chardonnay, which is freshly finished in stainless steel tanks, is gaining popularity worldwide.

The Izu Chardonnay 2024 Unwooded is a wine that pursues the latter style, highlighting the pure fruit flavors and lively acidity of the grapes. This will be a refreshing surprise for those accustomed to drinking barrel-aged Chardonnay wines, and a truly authentic Chardonnay experience for those who are not a fan of barrel-aged wines.

Reasons to enjoy it in the summer

The reason we highly recommend Izu Chardonnay 2024 Unwooded as the theme wine for July is precisely because of its seasonal feel.

In autumn and winter, wines with a sense of maturity and oak flavor are said to go well with rich dishes and stews, but in Japan's hot and humid summers, light and refreshing wines are ideal.

Summer is a season when opportunities to enjoy the natural flavors of ingredients increase with simple cooking methods. The fresh acidity and fruit flavors of Izu Chardonnay 2024 Unwooded blend surprisingly well with dishes that bring out the natural flavors of the ingredients, such as grilled fish, sashimi, and salads mixed with chopped fruit. For example, a rich dish like creamed chicken may seem heavy, but it pairs perfectly with lighter dishes like grilled summer vegetables and seafood carpaccio.

You may also discover something new as a dessert wine.

Pairing this wine with sweet and sour fruits, such as fruit punch, citrus or tropical fruit desserts, or maraschino cherries, will bring out new aspects of the wine.

"Izu Chardonnay 2024 Unwooded" is truly a wine made for the summer table. We hope that this bottle will bring even more vivid colors to your summer memories. Please take this opportunity to try this natural Chardonnay, nurtured by the climate and natural features of Izu.