• Country of origin: Romania
• Producer: VSN
• Type: white / dry
• Grape variety: Aligote
• Classification: D.O.C.-C.M.D. Sarica Niculitel
• Readiness for drinking: Now – 2030
• Price range: 3,000~3,999 Yen

The Grape

Aligoté, a white grape variety from France, remains relatively obscure in the global wine market, yet it produces exceptional wines. Widely cultivated in Romania, there were 5,065 hectares of Aligoté vineyards as of 2023.

It is the most representative white grape variety of the Dobrogea region, covering 854 hectares as of 2023. At Daniel’s Wine Club, we highly recommend any Aligoté wine from this region—it's truly worth a try.

Tasting Notes

Appearance

A healthy, bright medium lemon color.

Nose

Fresh and rich aromas reminiscent of wildflowers, elderflower, acacia, and chamomile, with nuances of citrus fruits (lemon, grapefruit), green apple, white peach, and pear. It also carries a subtle mineral sensation derived from limestone soils, such as wet stones and flint.

Palate

Notes of green apple, citrus fruits, and hay. The fresh, lively acidity balances beautifully with moderate fruitiness, while a rounded and gentle flavor profile is underpinned by a refined mineral sensation. Despite its dry character, a subtle fruit-derived sweetness lingers, making it highly appetizing. The finish is elegant and long, with hints of chicory.

Food Pairing

Aligoté pairs beautifully with fish and seafood dishes, especially herb-roasted white fish. It also complements nanbanzuke, caponata, grilled chicken, salads with yogurt dressing, and fresh cheeses. Additionally, it harmonizes wonderfully with a wide range of Japanese cuisine, from sushi to tempura.

Service Temperature

8–10°C

Basic Information

• Alcohol by volume: 13.00%
• Residual sugar: 1.60 g/L
• Acidity: 5.98 g/L
• Body: Medium
• Bottle volume: 750 ml

Vineyard

• Ingredients: Grapes
• Historical region: Dobrogea
• Wine region: Colinele Dobrogei
• Podgorie: Sarica-Niculițel
• Village: Niculițel
• Soil: Chalky soil
• Altitude: 0–50 m
• Yearly rainfall: 350–450 mm
• Yearly average temperature: 10.8°C
• Yield: 3.0 t/Ha
• Vineyard owner: Sarica Niculițel
• Vineyard manager: Mr. Sorin Ignat
• Vineyard consultant: Mr. Paul Fulea

Winemaking

• Production place: Sarica-Niculițel
• Fermentation vessel: Temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks
• Fermentation period: 14–16 days
• Fermentation temperature: 14°C
• Malolactic conversion: No
• Sur lie maturation: Yes
• Sur lie maturation period: 2 months
• Acidity adjustment: No
• Chaptalization: No
• Maturation: Stainless steel tanks for 6 months
• Bottling place: Sarica-Niculițel
• Bottling date: Listed on the bottle

Import Information

• Importer: Daniel's Wine Club
• Import method: Maritime import
• Import route: Sarica-Niculițel → Daniel's Wine Club
• Quality control method during transportation: Temperature-controlled containers

Storage Information

• Seller: Daniel's Wine Club
• Storage place: Daniel's Wine Club Yokohama
• Storage temperature: 16–18°C

Gifts, Wrapping, Noshi

Gift boxes, packaging, and noshi (traditional Japanese ceremonial wrapping) options are available on the "Accessories and Gifts" page.

If you'd like to add a personal touch to your gift, we can include a card or message in the package. Please feel free to contact us for assistance. We will do our best to ensure your gift arrives in perfect condition.

Before you place an order, make sure you check out the shipping policy.

For online orders, you will receive automated notifications and electronic receipts, which can be used for accounting purposes. Upon request, we can include a printed receipt in the package. More details here.

For orders placed outside of the online store, issuing a receipt incurs an additional fee of 110 yen.