| // Nagano // | |
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| [Overview] | Nagano prefecture – in the beautiful foothills of the Japan Alps incomparable to anywhere, located in the middle of Honshu 本州 island in Japan, surrounded by the high mountains above 2,000 metre elevation. As the cities are situated on the elevation above 300 metre up to 800 metre, this prefecture has genuine environment for growing grapes for winemaking. Recently, the prefectural association defines its geographical identification as ‘Shinshu (信州) Wine Valley’ that consists of four sub-regions from the north down to the south; Chikuma River Wine Valley, Japan Alps Wine Valley, Kikyogahara Wine Valley and Tenryu River Wine Valley. Thanks to such a high elevation, longer annual hours of light exposure (comparing to other prefectures) contribute advantageous conditions to the viticulture. The landscape formed by the mountains situate slopes with good drainage, and it influences making suitable conditions for grape growing. There are variances in temperature between day and night during a day across the prefecture. Nagano prefecture grows mainly European vinifera grapes more than Japanese varietals like Koshu & Muscat Bailey A – especially Merlot that is significantly high in quality as it is obtaining international reputations over years. |
| [Climate] | Annual accumulated daylight is approximately 1940 hours, annual precipitation ranges between 800 and 1,000 mm |
| [Key Varieties] | Concord, Merlot, Niagara, Chardonnay |
| [Soil] | Gravel layer with volcanic soil (Kikyogahara), varies among the districts |
[Source]
National Tax Agency (Japan). (2020, February). 国内製造ワインの概況（平成30年度調査分）-Domestic wine production in Japan (2018). Retrieved April 28, 2020, from https://www.nta.go.jp/taxes/sake/shiori-gaikyo/seizogaikyo/kajitsu/kajitsuh30.htm
Amerine, M.A., Winkler, A.J. (1944) Composition and quality of musts and wines of California grapes, Hilgardia. 15, 493 – 675.
Nagano Prefecture 長野県産業労働部
‘Nagano Wine’
http://www.nagano-wine.jp/
