“I’ve been to visit a farmer in Onomichi who grows organic bergamot.”

I can’t for the life of me remember when or what prompted Yusuke to report this to me, but I do remember how incredibly excited I was.

The reason being, I have witnessed firsthand just how obsessive a practice growing citrus organically is, and how much passion it requires to make it possible.
I can’t simply say that organic is good or bad, but at the very least, every farmer we’ve met has been someone with a strong, unwavering vision.

It’s been a year of facing people like that.
Yusuke said that if it’s a farmer he can trust, he definitely wants to work with them, so we immediately decided to use the bergamot from Onomichi.

I had never eaten or even smelled a fresh bergamot before.
To be honest, I didn’t even really know which part of the aroma of Earl Grey tea was actually bergamot☕

“Oh, so this is it...!!!”

I’ve bottled that moment of wonder.
Since using bergamot alone results in an aroma, acidity, and astringency that are too intense, I added white peach and crab apples to soften it up using our existing stock.

It is a mead for the season spanning spring to summer, packed with the best qualities of each ingredient.

〈Onomichi → Yasu〉

What started me going to Onomichi was Comorebi Farm on Innoshima Island. Although Mr. Kojima of Comorebi Farm was neither born nor raised in Onomichi, he told me so much about the charm of the islands.
Just seeing him was enough to satisfy me, but Onomichi itself has an atmosphere that welcomes you whenever you visit, and there are many times when I think, “If I had another life, I’d like to be buried here.”

I haven’t met the people at Shimanami Lemon yet, but the sincerity overflowing from their website and Yusuke’s confidence are proof that they produce a great crop.

〈Tasting Note〉
The alcohol content is 9%. I had thought about stopping it at 8%, but since it stays full of charm even as it gets drier, I let the fermentation continue, fermenting almost all of the sugar.
The scent of peach comes through in the aroma, followed by layers of apple and bergamot that chase after it beautifully. It makes me feel like I’m surfing. Though I’ve never surfed in my life.

ーーー

Style: Sparkling Melomel
ABV: 9%
Carbonation: Yes
Volume: 500ml
Ingredients: Honey (Myanmar), peach, crab apple, bergamot
Sweetness (10-point scale): 2 (Very Dry)
Recommended Serving Temperature: Thoroughly chilled (4-8°C)
Pairing: Citrus salad, fresh fish carpaccio, olive pasta

〈Label〉
With one sip, the scent of three types of fruit spreads out. The juiciness of ripe crab apples and white peaches. It’s a flavor I love.
When spring arrives, it feels like a heart frozen by the cold is slowly beginning to thaw.
I want to drift on the calm waters of the Seto Inland Sea... following my feelings, wherever they may lead.
The slight bitterness of the bergamot will serve as a ray of light, illuminating the path ahead.
I’ve painted over the "nix" of codanix—chaos—with the colors of fruit. I hope you can feel a light, warm breeze.

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