Chateau Mercian Wins Two Gold Medals at International Wine Competition 'Chardonnay du Monde 2026'; 'Hokushin Right Bank Chardonnay Rivaris' Named in World's TOP 10
Mercian Corporation's 'Chateau Mercian' brand achieved two gold medals at the French wine competition 'Chardonnay du Monde 2026.' One of the winners was also selected as one of the world's Top 10 'Best Chardonnay du Monde,' marking a significant achievement for Japanese wine.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: March 31, 2026 at 23:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 13:39 (14h 39m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 10:09 (476h 29m after Collected)
Mercian Corporation (President: Masamitsu Otsuka) announced that two of its wines, 'Chateau Mercian Hokushin Right Bank Chardonnay Rivaris 2023' and 'Chateau Mercian Niitsuru Chardonnay 2023,' were awarded gold medals at the international wine competition 'Chardonnay du Monde 2026' held in France from March 10 (Tue) to 12 (Thu).
Furthermore, 'Chateau Mercian Hokushin Right Bank Chardonnay Rivaris 2023' was selected for the 'Best Chardonnay du Monde' TOP 10, a prestigious recognition for wines that receive the highest international acclaim among Chardonnays submitted from around the world.
● 'Chardonnay du Monde 2026'
Founded in 1993 in Burgundy, France, this is a world-renowned international wine competition specializing exclusively in the Chardonnay grape variety, with a history spanning over 30 years.
● Gold Medal Winning Wines
- 'Chateau Mercian Hokushin Right Bank Chardonnay Rivaris 2023'
*Also selected for the 'Best Chardonnay du Monde' Top 10
- 'Chateau Mercian Niitsuru Chardonnay 2023'
■ About the Main Award-Winning Wine
'Chateau Mercian Hokushin Right Bank Chardonnay Rivaris 2023'
Made from Chardonnay grapes grown in the Chikuma River Right Bank district of northern Nagano Prefecture, characterized by its gravel-rich soil. This wine offers a rich and complex aroma, a sense of minerality, and a solid structure.
The name 'Rivaris' means 'river' in Latin, originating from the fact that wines from both the right and left banks of the Chikuma River stand together with high quality.
● Award Comment
Hironori Kobayashi, General Manager of Chateau Mercian
'I am deeply honored and proud that two of our wines received gold medals at such a specialized international competition where excellent Chardonnays from all over the world gather. Moreover, having the Hokushin Right Bank Chardonnay Rivaris 2023 selected for the Best Chardonnay du Monde Top 10 is a great achievement. Under our vision of "Making Japan one of the world's great wine regions," Chateau Mercian will continue to strive for winemaking that reflects Japan's terroir through friendly competition across our three wineries.'
Furthermore, 'Chateau Mercian Hokushin Right Bank Chardonnay Rivaris 2023' was selected for the 'Best Chardonnay du Monde' TOP 10, a prestigious recognition for wines that receive the highest international acclaim among Chardonnays submitted from around the world.
● 'Chardonnay du Monde 2026'
Founded in 1993 in Burgundy, France, this is a world-renowned international wine competition specializing exclusively in the Chardonnay grape variety, with a history spanning over 30 years.
● Gold Medal Winning Wines
- 'Chateau Mercian Hokushin Right Bank Chardonnay Rivaris 2023'
*Also selected for the 'Best Chardonnay du Monde' Top 10
- 'Chateau Mercian Niitsuru Chardonnay 2023'
■ About the Main Award-Winning Wine
'Chateau Mercian Hokushin Right Bank Chardonnay Rivaris 2023'
Made from Chardonnay grapes grown in the Chikuma River Right Bank district of northern Nagano Prefecture, characterized by its gravel-rich soil. This wine offers a rich and complex aroma, a sense of minerality, and a solid structure.
The name 'Rivaris' means 'river' in Latin, originating from the fact that wines from both the right and left banks of the Chikuma River stand together with high quality.
● Award Comment
Hironori Kobayashi, General Manager of Chateau Mercian
'I am deeply honored and proud that two of our wines received gold medals at such a specialized international competition where excellent Chardonnays from all over the world gather. Moreover, having the Hokushin Right Bank Chardonnay Rivaris 2023 selected for the Best Chardonnay du Monde Top 10 is a great achievement. Under our vision of "Making Japan one of the world's great wine regions," Chateau Mercian will continue to strive for winemaking that reflects Japan's terroir through friendly competition across our three wineries.'