Château Mercian Kikyogahara Merlot Nagano

Nagano Wine Region, Japan

Flagship Merlot from the 1000m Kikyogahara estate; Japan's most awarded red wine. Silky and elegant: cherry, plum, violet, Japanese cedar (sugi), and mountain herbs. The volcanic-alluvial soils at altitude produce a distinctly Japanese character — more delicate and precise than Bordeaux. Aged 18 months in French oak.

Pairing intelligence

• main: Japanese Merlot with Japanese beef is a natural national pairing; the wine's delicacy suits sukiyaki's sweet-salty broth
• main: Nagano Merlot's cherry and violet complement duck's richness; ponzu's citrus acidity echoes the wine's mountain freshness
• starter: Japanese cedar and herb notes in Merlot bridge the earthy mushroom terrine; delicacy suits the refined preparation