Exploring New Possibilities in Japanese Wine: The Unique Appeal of Koshu Pairings

• Table of Contents
• Shaping the Future of Japanese Wine: Discover Japan’s Native Grape Varieties
• Tasting event to learn about and enjoy Koshu wine
• What is the appeal of Japanese wine from an overseas perspective?
• A winery tour that conveys the appeal of Japanese wine

Shaping the Future of Japanese Wine: Discover Japan’s Native Grape Varieties

Yamanashi Prefecture is known as the center of Japanese wine, and is particularly focused on wine tourism. There are many wineries scattered throughout the prefecture, and a wide variety of tours are available for wine tasting and wine-making experiences. Among these, Koshu, a grape variety native to Japan, is a traditional variety with over 800 years of history and plays an important role in communicating the characteristics of Japanese wine to the world.

Koshu is a variety discovered in Yamanashi Prefecture, with reddish purple skin, a good balance of sweetness and acidity, and sometimes a slight astringency. There are two theories about its origin: one that it was discovered in Katsunuma in 1186, and another that it was discovered by a monk during the Nara period. Either way, it is certain that it has existed in Japan since ancient times. Winemaking began in the Meiji period, and Koshu wine remains a specialty product that represents Yamanashi Prefecture today. In 2010, it was the first Japanese variety to be registered with the international organization OIV, allowing it to be labeled as "Koshu" when exporting to the EU.

Currently, there are three Japanese grape varieties registered and approved by the OIV: Koshu, Muscat Bailey A, and Yamayuki.

Tasting event to learn about and enjoy Koshu wine

In order to spread the appeal of Japanese wine, which makes use of the diverse varieties native to Japan, a tasting event was held on February 5, 2025, where Japanese and American Koshu wine producers spoke about the appeal of the wine and tasted it together with the producers.

The event aimed to promote the value of wine made from grape varieties native to Japan, and attracted wine lovers and industry professionals from Japan and abroad. It was also seen as an opportunity to get hints for expanding Japanese wine overseas, and the evaluations from foreigners' perspectives were particularly interesting.

Before the tasting began at the event, three Japanese and American wineries that make wine using Koshu grapes gave explanations about the wines they were producing.

Kazumi Wines

Michelle Kazumi Sakazaki, founder of Kazumi Wines, is a fashion designer born in California and raised in Tokyo who discovered the charm of wine while living in Italy. While involved in the management of the 90 PLUS WINE CLUB, which was established by her family in Napa Valley, she was drawn to the depth of wine and dreamed of making her own wine. After obtaining certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), she launched "Kazumi Wines" in 2015, using Rutherford's finest Sauvignon Blanc, expanding the possibilities of Japanese wine.

Kazumi Wines

Shirayuri Brewery

Keisuke Uchida, the fourth-generation owner of Shirayuri Brewery in Katsunuma, Yamanashi Prefecture, graduated from the Department of Brewing at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, and studied brewing in Burgundy, France, where he obtained a French national qualification. He officially joined the company in 2021 and won the Decanter World Wine Award with a 97-point Platinum Award for "Katsunuma Koshu 2019." In addition, the company continues to show the world the potential of Japanese wine, with "Koshu Vigne de Nakagawa 2021" being adopted at the G7 Hiroshima Summit.

Shirayuri Brewery

A winery tour to discover the charm of Shirayuri Winery

Pino Collina Matsugaoka

Pino Collina's General Manager Kawashima moved to Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture in 2008 after traveling the world as a wine buyer, and began winemaking there. He conducted soil surveys with Yamagata University and collaborated with Keio University to study the potential of grapes. In 2020, he established the winery "Pino Collina Matsugaoka" and is brewing wines including Tsuruoka Koshu using the nature method. The wines have been highly praised, with "Tsuruoka Koshu 2021" and "Merlot 2021" officially adopted at the G7 Hiroshima Summit.

You can enjoy wine at the restaurant attached to the winery, or have a picnic when the weather is nice!

Pino Collina Matsugaoka

What is the appeal of Japanese wine from an overseas perspective?

This event was attended by Chris and his wife, a tourism advisor and food curator with an international perspective, who gave us feedback on the appeal of Japanese wine and what it should promote.

The charm of Japanese wine only shines when you understand the culture and climate behind it

Compared to highly competitive wines from France, Italy, Australia, and other countries, Japanese wines tend to have a modest impression. However, Japan has its own unique grape varieties, and learning about them was a very interesting experience. Japanese wine is not simply an imitation of European wines, but is proud of the fact that grape varieties unique to the region are cultivated and that the country also places great emphasis on the theme of sustainability. In order to convey the appeal of Japanese wine to wine lovers overseas, it is important to convey information about the culture of each winery and the climate of the producing region.

The key to popularizing Japanese wine is "pairing"

To promote the appeal of delicate Japanese wines, pairing them with Japanese food is essential, and on the day of the event, there was a lineup of wonderful finger foods prepared by Shirayuri Brewery.

For example, in the case of this event, "No.3 Koshu" from Tsuruoka, Yamagata, goes perfectly with kelp-cured red sea bream, and also goes well with sushi, oysters, and Camembert cheese. "Kazumi Wines Koshu" from Napa Valley also goes well with Japanese citrus fruits and fusion cuisine. In addition, Iwanohara Vineyard wines are characterized by their delicate flavor, and pairing them with Japanese cuisine enhances the story of the wine.

He also advised that in order to increase awareness in overseas markets, it is important to communicate the harmony between Japanese wine's unique terroir and Japanese cuisine through pairing experiences with Japanese and sushi courses, and finger foods at events. In particular, pairing with sushi, which is extremely popular in overseas markets, is thought to be a good appealing point considering the target demographic.

A winery tour that conveys the appeal of Japanese wine

A winery tour is the best way to learn about the background of Japanese wine and then enjoy its taste.

Shirayuri Winery in Katsunuma, Yamanashi Prefecture, offers a variety of winery tours that allow you to experience the charm of Japanese wine. In addition to tours of their own vineyards and winery, they also offer special activities such as making your own original label and bottling fresh wine.

You can also experience gin distillation and make your own original gin. Experience the profound depth of Japanese wine through a winery tour of Shirayuri Brewery in Katsunuma, where you can enjoy the scenery of the four seasons.

Information on various tours to enjoy Shirayuri Brewery