Kimura Cellars NICO Series Sauvignon Blanc 2025

Kimura Cellars Limited Edition Sauvignon

Kimura Cellars is a winery run by Japanese winemakers Shigehisa and Emiko Kimura. Almost all of the work is done by the husband and wife team, making it a true boutique winery.

Founded in 2008, the winery purchased its own vineyards in 2018 and continues to release carefully crafted wines.

This Sauvignon Blanc, called the "NICO Series," will have its first vintage in 2024. It was created as a wine with a different appeal from the standard Home Block Sauvignon Blanc.

Nico, the dog who brings smiles to people's faces

"Nico" is named after Kimura's pet dog, Nico-chan. This series, which was created with Kimura's wish that "this wine will bring a smile to the face of its drinker," is marked by a label featuring Nico-chan's handprint.

I also met Nico-chan at a local farm last year, and she was incredibly energetic, curious, and adorable.

Here's what's great about this year's "Nico"!

According to the information, this year's Nico Sauvignon Blanc is made from a blend of grapes from two different regions, half and half.

1. Wairau Valley (own vineyard): Certified organic and soft soil. Refreshing tropical fruit flavors.
2. Awatere Valley (contracted vineyard): Characterized by herbal aromas and a strong minerality.

They also pay close attention to the brewing method, blending half of their wine from regular stainless steel tanks (fermented at low temperatures) with the other half "fermented with wild yeast in old barrels." And they don't filter the wine before bottling.

Now, as I'm writing this, I realize that this is a blended wine made from two vineyards and two base wines! The Nico series also includes the meaning of "combining the unique characteristics of two wines"!??

...I'll ask Kimura-san about the truth next time I see him (laughs).

By the way, Last year it was very cloudy, but this year it is only slightly cloudy.

This year's flavor is...

The taste has the typical citrus aroma of Sauvignon Blanc, but also hints of quince and white flowers. In the mouth, the umami is strong, with a fruity feel of lime and plum. At the end, there is a slight bitterness like orange peel. Overall, It's dry yet has a gentle texture. The alcohol content is just right at 12.5%, so it goes down easy!

The pairing is excellent!

• Sea bream marinated in kelp
• Boiled rape blossoms and fried tofu
• Grilled eggplant + light sesame oil
• Whitebait and radish, chicken fillet grilled with salt koji
  

Try pairing this wine with Japanese food, imagining it as squeezing kabosu or yuzu.

About the Kimura Cellars Winery

KIMURA CELLARS is a family-run winery run by Japanese owner Shigehisa Kimura.

Kimura studied winemaking and viticulture in New Zealand and gained experience working in cultivation and brewing at several local wineries before founding Kimura Cellars in Marlborough in 2009.

Based on the concept of "wine where you can see the face of the maker" and "producers who are close to consumers," we carefully craft wine using organic farming methods.

In 2018, they finally began cultivating grapes in their own fields, which was a long-cherished dream of theirs, and are now focusing even more on organic farming methods.

The Kimura Cellars logo is a cherry blossom motif that represents the new shoots of a fern (koru), a symbolic plant of New Zealand. The fern is a symbol of New Zealand and represents new beginnings, growth, and harmony.

About Marlborough

Marlborough is the heart of New Zealand's wine region.

Marlborough has ideal natural conditions for grape growing, such as abundant sunshine and large temperature differences throughout the day, and produces over 80% of New Zealand's wine.

Among them, Sauvignon Blanc, characterized by its crisp acidity and overflowing fruitiness, boasts an overwhelming production volume and is loved worldwide for its unique character. In red wine, Pinot Noir, with its rich berry fruit flavor, is also popular.

Kimura Cellars Nico Series Sauvignon Blanc 2025