The first season of this series of short podcasts (episodes 1 to 13) introduces you to the exhibits on display at Japan’s oldest wooden winery building, constructed in 1904. The second season (episodes 1 to 9) will guide you through Château Mercian’s winemaking facilities.
Episode 9: Welcome to Bordeaux Shrine | Japanese Wines
In the early years of the Meiji period from 1868 to 1912, powdery mildew and downy mildew infected rootstocks grown abroad were unwittingly brought into Japan, and it was just a matter of time before the mildew spread to Yamanashi Prefecture. As a result, grapevines weakened and grape growing became difficult. When “Bordeaux Mixture”, a pesticide developed in France to combat the mildew and protect grapevines, was successfully introduced to remedy the situation, this shrine was built in honour of the pesticide. The inscription on the stone pillar at the shrine reads: “Master Saburo Matsumoto (the son-in-law of Kotaro Miyazaki) built this.”
15 Jan 2022
Episode 8: Welcome to Iwaimura Vineyard | Japanese Wines
As we proceed to Iwaimura Vineyard, you will see the wine gallery where we will taste 6 different varieties of wine at the end of our tour.
Overhead, you will see pergola-trellis-trained Koshu grapes used for our white wines. As we continue walking to the Iwaimura Vineyard, you will hear the creek that once powered the winery’s water wheel. Ahead is an immature French oak tree. The trees used to make barrels in France are at least 200 years old, so this one isn’t in danger of becoming a barrel any time soon. Beside the oak tree is the vineyard. There are about 20 different varieties of grapes growing in this vineyard. Each row has 2 or 3 different varieties. Pinot Noir is the first to ripen and Cabernet Sauvignon is the last. October is the best time to see the vineyard in all its glory. Generally speaking, 1 kg of grapes is necessary to produce 1 bottle of wine. If you look closely at the vines, you will see several examples of vertical shoot positioning (VSP): Guyot, Double Guyot, Cordon and Double Cordon.
15 Jan 2022
Episode 7: Welcome to Miyakoen | Japanese Wines
Kotaro Miyazaki, our predecessor who successfully established a winery on this land, was born here. There is a museum dedicated to Miyazaki and his winery located on the second floor, and the adjacent building was once a winery. The original house was a traditional structure with the second floor reserved for sericulture, the raising of silkworms for silk production. The second floor was later raised by an extra 2 meters to assume its current Western appearance.
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