The other day, we paid a surprise visit to Suntory Holdings Limited together with Toru Kanizawa, head of the "UNITED ARROWS LTD. WINE CLUB" (hereafter, Wine Club), which continues to promote the appeal of wine, especially rosé wine.
We asked about Suntory's Japanese wine making, as well as the appeal of "Suntory Japan Premium Muscat Bailey A Rosé Sparkling."
In the second half, we will introduce actual tastings and pairings.
The Appeal of "Suntory Japan Premium Muscat Bailey A Rosé Sparkling"
We asked Mr. Maeda about the appeal of "Suntory Japan Premium Muscat Bailey A Rosé Sparkling."
Maeda: "Above all, 'drinkability' is its greatest appeal. Because it is a slightly sweet rosé sparkling wine, it is very versatile and can be paired broadly with casual dishes. Since we are proposing it for Mother's Day this time, 'gorgeousness' is also a key point. Its beautiful color and flavor are sure to brighten up the dining table... Of course, not only for Mother's Day, but I think it is also easy to use for casual parties and gatherings."
Tasting "Suntory Japan Premium Muscat Bailey A Rosé Sparkling"
This time, we tasted "Suntory Japan Premium Muscat Bailey A Rosé Sparkling" before its release.
Kanizawa: "It looks truly beautiful poured into the glass. Naturally, it's not artificially colored; I think bringing out this kind of color is the charm of Muscat Bailey A. It has a gentle mouthfeel, and you can distinctly sense the 'Muscat Bailey A' character like candy and cotton candy. It has a moderate sweetness, but the acidity is firm, leaving a dry impression on the finish. Because the fruitiness is very solid, it doesn't seem like it would be overwhelmed even by dishes with strong seasonings."
According to Mr. Kanizawa, although it is proposed for Mother's Day, it has a deliciousness that he would love men to drink as well.
Recommended Pairings
Mr. Maeda introduced recommended pairings for "Suntory Japan Premium Muscat Bailey A Rosé Sparkling" that can be enjoyed on a daily basis.
- Rosé Sparkling × Fresh Spring Rolls
- Rosé Sparkling × Pizza
- Rosé Sparkling × Tomato Sauce Pasta
Mr. Kanizawa tries his hand at each pairing.
Rosé Sparkling × Fresh Spring Rolls
Maeda: "These are fresh spring rolls with a slightly sweet and spicy chili sauce. Sweet and sour flavors are common in ethnic cuisine, and the aromatic affinity and taste compatibility with rosé sparkling wine are outstanding. Fresh spring rolls are casual, so they are easy to serve at typical home tables, aren't they?"
Kanizawa: "Because the sauce isn't too light, it pairs really well. You might think the sweetness would clash, but I think it makes for a very well-balanced pairing. Also, unexpectedly, the compatibility with shrimp is great. I get the impression that the flavors of seafood like shrimp and the sweetness of the rosé go together very well."
Rosé Sparkling × Pizza
Maeda: "I also suggested pizza with the idea that it's something that might appear on the table for Mother's Day. One feature of this rosé sparkling wine is that it pairs well with tomato sauce. In addition, the herbal green note of basil matches this sweet-and-sour wine. A red wine might feel too astringent, while a white wine might feel lacking... In such moments, I would love for you to choose this rosé sparkling wine."
Kanizawa: "Its compatibility with tomato sauce is unmistakable. Also, I think it pairs very well with cheese. Cheese has acidity, so when that acidity matches, the sweetness of the rosé sparkling wine stands out, making it taste even more delicious."
Rosé Sparkling × Tomato Sauce Pasta
Maeda: "This also features tomato sauce, so just like the pizza, the compatibility is outstanding. By the way, the sweetness and acidity of wine have an effect on adding 'richness' to a dish. In that sense as well, tomato sauce pasta, which can be eaten casually, is easy to pair with rosé sparkling wine, isn't it?"
Kanizawa: "Because the tomato sauce presence is stronger than on pizza, it feels like the great compatibility stands out even more. The sweetness and acidity of the tomato match the sweetness and acidity of the rosé sparkling wine very well. For both the pasta and the pizza, since it is a sparkling wine, it is also nice that the finish is refreshing. This, too, is a pairing unique to sparkling wine."
Rosé Sparkling for Starters!
Mr. Kanizawa finished the tasting and pairing of "Suntory Japan Premium Muscat Bailey A Rosé Sparkling."
We asked him what he sensed from this rosé sparkling wine.
Kanizawa: "I had originally been paying attention to rosé sparkling wine. I believe rosé is an all-around player where, if you have a bottle chilled, you can pair it with any dish. No matter what kind of food everyone brings along for Mother's Day, this rosé sparkling wine should handle it effortlessly."
Furthermore, from Mr. Kanizawa's perspective, he would also like to recommend the suggestion of "Rosé sparkling for starters!"
Kanizawa: "In Japan, there is a culture of 'Beer for starters!' However, quite a few people don't care for beer, right? So, rather than choosing another drink for the first glass by process of elimination, I think there can be a slightly more proactive way to choose a first drink other than beer. At such times, wouldn't rosé sparkling wine be fitting? It's stylish and can be enjoyed regardless of the occasion. Also, this rosé sparkling wine is made in Japan, and the Muscat Bailey A character comes through distinctly. Aspects like these are also reasons that make you want to choose it for the first glass."
A Bottle to Spread Japanese Wine!
Maeda: "I am delighted that Mr. Kanizawa mentioned the Muscat Bailey A character shines through. On the label as well, it states that 'Muscat Bailey A is a Japanese grape,' and we wrote that thinking it would help people understand this wine better. Previously, I had an opportunity to talk with customers, and many said 'I don't know Muscat Bailey A or Japanese wine,' making me feel that awareness is still low. When I tell such customers about Japanese wine, they give positive responses like, 'In that case, I want to try it!'"
Mr. Maeda says that as a winery, they want to continue making efforts so that a world where Japanese wine is naturally enjoyed can be realized.
With aiming for higher quality as an absolute premise, he says they want to focus their efforts going forward on how to deliver Japanese wine to a wide range of customers.
"Suntory Japan Premium Muscat Bailey A Rosé Sparkling" is a bottle ideal for Mother's Day.
That is precisely why it should become a wine that people who usually do not drink wine or do not drink Japanese wine are likely to see and taste.
Whether you are well-versed in Japanese wine or have only recently come to love it, why not use "Suntory Japan Premium Muscat Bailey A Rosé Sparkling" to expand the circle of Japanese wine fans?
Reference
Suntory Japanese wine
https://www.suntory.co.jp/wine/nihon/