If you are Japanese, you should keep this in mind! Basic knowledge of “Japanese wine”
Have you ever tasted "Japanese wine" made in Japan?
It has been thought that Japan's climate and climate are not suitable for wine production compared to European countries. However, in recent years, thanks to advances in grape cultivation and winemaking techniques, Japan is now able to produce delicious wine that is recognized around the world.
However, the current situation is that imported wines account for the majority of the wines lined up in supermarkets and wine shops. There may be many people who enjoy drinking imported wine, but have never tried Japanese wine.
However, since wine is produced in areas close to us, it's important to have some basic knowledge about it.
This time, we would like to introduce Japanese wine, which is still relatively unfamiliar to Japanese people despite being produced in Japan, but which is actually full of charm.
What is the difference between Japanese wine and domestic wine? ?
Have you ever heard the terms "Japanese wine" and "domestic wine"?
These two words sound very similar, so it's easy to get them confused, but you need to be careful as there is actually a big difference in how they are made.
What is Japanese wine?
"Japanese wine" refers to wine made in Japan using 100% grapes harvested in Japan.
What is domestic wine?
On the other hand, "domestic wine" refers to wine made in Japan using grapes and concentrated fruit juice imported from overseas .
wine law
Countries such as Europe, where wine production has been active for a long time, have created their own laws called ``Wine Laws'' to prevent so-called ``fake'' wines from entering the market.
Japan also has its own "Wine Law," but it was only recently that Japan's Wine Law was officially enacted.
Until then, both wine made using grapes grown in Japan and wine brewed in Japan using grapes imported from overseas were sold as ``Japanese wine'' without much distinction. .
In recent years, thanks to the Wine Law, "Japanese wine" and "domestic wine" have come to be sold separately.
Everyone, please remember that "Japanese wine" = "wine made in Japan using grapes harvested in Japan."
What grape varieties are used in Japanese wine? ?
When it comes to grapes grown in Japan, famous ones include Shine Muscat and Kyoho. However, these table grapes are actually not very suitable for wine making. Therefore, many of the grape varieties used in Japanese wine are unfamiliar to us.
Here, we will introduce the typical grape varieties of Japanese wine and their characteristics.
Representative grape variety for white wine: Koshu
"Koshu" is a white grape variety with slightly reddish skin. This results in a white wine with a slightly pale pink color.
The scent is often expressed with citrus aromas such as green apple and grapefruit. The acidity and fruit flavors are modest, resulting in a wine with a pleasant, clean, and delicate taste.
Wine made in Koshu has a mild acidity and fruit flavor, and is not overpowering, so it is easy to pair with dishes with delicate flavors such as Japanese cuisine.
Some of the high-quality dry Koshu wines have received worldwide attention, even winning awards at competitions overseas.
Representative grape variety for red wine: Muscat Bailey A
This is a black grape variety unique to Japan that was created through cross-breeding to suit Japan's climate.
It has a sweet strawberry-like aroma with a slight vegetable aroma. The low tannin content often results in a light, fresh red wine.
Other varieties of Japanese wine
In addition to grape varieties unique to Japan such as Koshu and Muscat Bailey A, Japanese wines are also made from European grape varieties such as Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Pinot Noir. It is built.
Wine is also made from table grapes such as Niagara and Delaware. Wine made from table grapes is often sweet and easy to drink, so it is also recommended for wine beginners.
Where is Japanese wine made? ?
It is said that there are approximately 300 wineries in Japan.
Isn't wine making that popular in Japan? You may think so, but wine is actually produced in almost every prefecture in Japan, from Hokkaido in the north to Miyazaki Prefecture in Kyushu in the south.
Among these, the four prefectures that are particularly famous for producing Japanese wine are Hokkaido, Yamanashi, Nagano, and Yamagata.
Here we will introduce the characteristics of Japan's four major wine producing regions.
Characteristics of Hokkaido wine
Hokkaido, which is less affected by the rainy season and typhoons, is said to be a suitable cultivation area for growing wine grapes because the temperature is lower than that of Honshu and there is a large difference in temperature between day and night.
Hokkaido, which is located at the same latitude as Germany's Rheingau, which is known for its white wine, and France's Champagne and Alsace regions, produces many European grape varieties.
Hokkaido's wines are famous for ``Kerner,'' a white grape variety native to Germany, and ``Pinot Noir.''
In Hokkaido, wine is mainly produced in Yoichi Town, Otaru City, and the Tokachi region.
Characteristics of Yamanashi wine
Yamanashi Prefecture boasts the largest number of wineries in Japan. It is one of the indispensable production areas when talking about Japanese wine, and is often referred to as the ``birthplace of Japanese wine'' as the place where full-scale winemaking began in Japan.
Koshu is a famous grape variety grown in Yamanashi Prefecture. Koshu wine produced in Yamanashi Prefecture has won awards at numerous international competitions and is attracting attention worldwide as a high-quality Japanese wine.
More than 70% of Yamanashi Prefecture's wine is produced mainly in the Kofu Basin. Katsunuma, located in the Kofu Basin, is famous as a production area of Koshu.
Characteristics of Nagano wine
In Nagano Prefecture, where wine production began in the Meiji era, there are over 60 wineries, ranging from long-established wineries to up-and-coming wineries.
In Nagano Prefecture, many wines are produced from American grape varieties such as Concord and Niagara, but recently European wines such as Merlot, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon are being produced. We are also focusing on producing grape varieties.
Wine production is centered around four areas: Kikyogahara Wine Valley, Chikuma River Wine Valley, Japan Alps Wine Valley, and Tenryu River Wine Valley. Among them, ``Shiojiri Wine'' produced in Shiojiri City, located in the Kikyogahara Wine Valley, is famous as a regional brand wine representing Nagano Prefecture.
Characteristics of Yamagata wine
Yamagata Prefecture is known as one of the four major wine producing regions, along with Yamanashi, Nagano, and Hokkaido. Although there are fewer wineries than Yamanashi and Nagano prefectures, it is attracting attention as one of the production areas for high-quality wine.
When you think of Yamagata wine, the first name that comes to mind is Delaware. Yamagata Prefecture produces a large amount of Delaware wine, producing a wide variety of wines from sweet to dry.
In addition, wine is made from a wide variety of grape varieties such as Muscat Bailey A, Chardonnay, and Merlot.
In Yamagata Prefecture, wine is produced mainly in the Okitama region, where Nanyo City and Takahata Town are located.
summary
How was it? Although Japanese wine is produced in Japan, many Japanese people are still unfamiliar with it. I think there are many people who don't know much about Japanese wine.
Even though wine is produced in a region that is familiar to us Japanese people, it would be a waste if we have never tried it.
It would be a good idea to start by trying the ``four major producing regions'' of Japanese wine, or it might be interesting to try drinking Japanese wine produced near where you live. Please take a look at the wines made in the countries where we were born and raised.
