La Maison de la Rivière, a brand developed by Nakamura Promotion Co., Ltd., led by Masato Nakamura, has launched “Katakuri Chardonnay Barrel Selection La Maison de la Rivière” from Hokkaido.
The wine uses excellent grapes from both banks of the Yoichi River and will be offered to hotels and restaurants in Hokkaido through partnerships with wineries.
Here are the details.
About Katakuri Wine
Katakuri Wine was created from a desire to release outstanding wines that make the most of each site’s character and the natural flavor of the grapes.
The Katakuri brand is planned and marketed by Nakamura Promotion Co., Ltd., headed by sommelier Masato Nakamura, and has been developed as a wine exclusively for Hokkaido restaurants and hotels since the 2020 vintage.
Winemaking is handled by Mamiko Ota of NIKI Hills, while marketing and sales are led by two female sommeliers who studied at the same sommelier school.
About the Wine
“Katakuri Chardonnay Barrel Selection La Maison de la Rivière” is a white wine made from 100% Chardonnay from a contracted NIKI Hills Winery vineyard with vines averaging eight years old.
To preserve the character of the site without imposing excessive oak and to add complexity, the wine is aged using a combination of relatively new barrels and barrels that have been used several times, up to around four fills.
It has a bright lemon-yellow appearance.
Aromas rise from the glass recalling Orin apple from Yoichi, pear, muskmelon and fresh grapefruit, together with refined minerality reminiscent of oyster shell. As the wine warms, barrel-derived notes evoke Sanporoku cake, roasted chestnut and Marusei Butter Sandwich.
On the palate, fresh grapefruit-like acidity spreads first. From the mid-palate through the finish, rich fruit is tightened by crisp minerality, leaving elegant sweetness and pleasant umami after swallowing.
See the reference information for restaurants in Hokkaido currently serving the wine.
Retail-store availability has not yet been determined. The reference list price from Vintners Co., Ltd. is ¥15,000 before tax.
Reference
Katakuri Chardonnay 2023 Barrel Selection La Maison de la Rivière
100% Chardonnay; average vine age 8 years; contracted block at NIKI Hills Winery, northeast-facing slope in Asahidai, Niki, Yoichi District
All grapes hand-harvested October 14–24 over several clear-weather picking days
Fermentation in stainless steel tanks and small barrels; wild and cultured yeasts
100% MLF; fermentation period 14 days
Fermentation temperature 17–19°C; aged 12 months in stainless steel tanks and small barrels
Unfiltered; 33% new oak; alcohol 13%
Production: 662 bottles
Restaurants in Hokkaido serving the wine
Niseko: kitchen niseko
Sapporo: Tempura Araki
Premier Hotel Nakajima Park Sapporo: Seafood & Wagyu Teppanyaki 21CLUB
Oku-Jozankei Onsen: Kasho Gyoen
Mt. Moiwa: THE JEWELS
NOUVELLE POUSSE OKURAYAMA
LA BRIQUE SAPPORO Akarenga Terrace
THE GARDEN SAPPORO HOKKAIDO GRILLE
and others
Retail-store sales undecided
Open price
Reference list price from Vintners Co., Ltd.: ¥15,000 before tax
Product inquiries
Nakamura Promotion Co., Ltd.