Cave d'Occi Winery
Niigata, Niigata

Grapes: Kerner 54%, Sauvignon Blanc 35%, Chenin Blanc 10%, Others 1% (from Hokkaido & Yamagata)
Type: Orange
Style: Dry, light-bodied
Colour: Pale amber
Alcohol: 12%
Wild yeast: Yes
Any added sulphites: No
Filtered: No
Serving temperature: 10-13°C
Production: 2,915 bottles
Please store in a cool, dark place.

Tasting notes
Aromas of Japanese citrus such as yuzu and kabosu, accompanied by hints of ginger, white peach, green apple, and osmanthus. The palate reveals a crisp acidity with flavors of lemon, mandarin orange, and ginger, creating a refreshing wine. Browning may occur the day after opening, so if this is a concern, it is best enjoyed on the same day. This wine can be enjoyed on its own.

Food pairing
Fried chicken, deep-fried oysters, grilled salted beef tongue—meals that pair perfectly with a squeeze of lemon. Fresh oysters, cucumber and wakame seaweed in vinegar, salt-grilled fish, Japanese glass noodle salad, and sushi with scallops or conger eel.

Winemaking
Cave d'Occi Winery's Doubutsu (= Animal) Series is a collection of wines vinified by winemaker Fumito Kakegawa, showcasing his personal passions and creative flair. Among this series, Ikkaku (Narwhal) is an orange wine primarily made from Kerner and Sauvignon Blanc, designed to deliver a gentle and soothing taste that seeps into the body.

Each grape variety was fermented separately, with a maceration period of about one month. The duration was carefully adjusted to impart the nuances of an orange wine while preserving the distinct characteristics of the grape varieties. During maceration, a small amount of Pinot Noir skins was added to enhance the complexity.

By controlling factors such as the oxygen concentration in the juice, juice temperature, ambient temperature, and surface area, specific microorganisms are intentionally activated to introduce nuances of acetic acid at the juice stage. While acetic acid that emerges after fermentation is undesirable, incorporating it deliberately at the juice stage adds a softness that envelops the wine as a whole after fermentation.

Nutrition Facts per 100ml
Energy: 73 kcal
Fat: 0 g
 - Saturates: 0 g
Carbohydrate: 2.0 g
 - Sugar: 2.0 g
Protein: 0.1 g
Salt: 0g