Niigata

Niigata combines coastal vineyards with inland basins. Around Kakudahama and Echizenhama, southwest of Niigata City, the Niigata Wine Coast has sandy soils. Albariño grown here makes whites with fresh acidity. Tainai's vineyards sit at about 250 metres on clay soils, with strong local winds called dashikaze. Zweigeltrebe makes fruity red wines with balanced acidity. In snowy Minamiuonuma, growers lay vines under snow for winter protection. Summer days and nights differ sharply in temperature, and plantings include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Zenbei Kawakami began cultivating grapes in Joetsu in 1890. His breeding programme made more than 10,000 attempts and produced 22 varieties. Among them was Muscat Bailey A, a red grape with pronounced fruit aromas. The official Niigata geographical indication applies to sake, not wine.