Though less exciting than some of the antics of Conor McGregor, both inside and outside the ring, the Shiraz v Syrah metaphorical slugfest provides wine lovers with more than a modicum of entertainment, especially in an age of seemingly endless remakes crawling out of the subbasements of Hollywood studios. We are going to sidestep the kangaroo-escargot, or sperm whale-giant squid, aspect of this Manichaean struggle and look at a Japanese Syrah this week. Yes, you heard that right, a Syrah from Japan!
Soleil is a Yamanashi-based winery, which according to information posted on their website, has been in business for twenty years. Having tasted this wine, we are eager to sample some of their other offerings and will try to pay them a visit in the coming year.
Soleil Syrah 2019 is a ruby-colored wine with vanilla and black fruit notes, specifically blackberries and black cherries. It is off dry and medium bodied with soft tannins. There is also a bit of black pepper on the palate and a certain earthiness. This is a carefully crafted wine that has a uniqueness about it that is hard to describe but very appealing. The abv is 12%.
Soleil: https://soleilwine.jp/
*And we thought it had something to do with the “Tennessee Waltz.” Picture by Charles Livingston Bull (1874-1932).
Drinking Japan 