I’ve been following Japanese wine for some time, and recently, I attended a large tasting at a festival in Osaka. Despite the challenge of sourcing these wines outside Japan, which are often produced in small quantities and sold locally, I believe it’s important to share insights about this fascinating wine scene.
Hiroshima Miyoshi Winery
Miyoshi Winery, located in Hiroshima, is part of a cluster of ten small wineries in the region. They produce wines under the Tomoé brand across five hectares and occasionally source grapes from Chile.
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Villaqua Sparkling Rosé NV: A blend of Merlot and Syrah, this wine is bright and fresh, showcasing lovely strawberry and cherry flavors. It has a rounded sweetness on the finish. (89/100)
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Tomoé Chardonnay Crisp 2023: This wine features lively pear and citrus fruit with good acidity, offering freshness and purity. (88/100)
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Tomoé Delaware 2023: Made from a popular American hybrid grape, this wine is fruity with nice pear and table grape characteristics. (89/100)
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Tomoé Barrel Selection Semillon 2020: Rounded and textured, it shows depth with some nuttiness and a smooth finish. (88/100)
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Tomoé Muscat Bailey A 2019: A typical Japanese hybrid grape, this wine is fruity with a hint of oak. (88/100)
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Tomoé Merlot 2019: Displays juicy red cherry and strawberry notes, with expressive fruit. (89/100)
Ajimu Winery, Oita Prefecture
Ajimu Winery produces a diverse range of around 30 wines from 17 hectares of vineyards.
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Ajimu Winery Sparkling Wine Brut 2019: Traditional method Merlot, this wine has a sweet, candied nose with hints of strawberry. (86/100)
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Ajimu Winery Albariño Yazu Vineyard 2022: A bright wine with pear and apricot notes, showing excellent purity. (89/100)
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Ajimu Winery Chardonnay Reserve 2022: Barrel-fermented and stylish, it has bright fruit and good acidity. (90/100)
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Ajimu Winery Shokoshi 2020: Made from a Japanese hybrid, it presents sweet berry notes with lovely intensity. (92/100)
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Ajimu Winery Tannat 2021: This wine showcases vibrant cherry and berry fruit with good structure. (91/100)
Says Farm, Toyoma Prefecture
At Says Farm, which spans 12 hectares and produces only estate wines, wild fermentation is employed.
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Says Farm Albariño 2021: This stainless steel-aged wine is bright and lively, featuring good concentration. (92/100)
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Says Farm Albariño 2020: Barrel-aged, this wine offers lovely fruit with spice and oak nuances. (92/100)
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Says Farm Private Reserve Chardonnay 2020: Textured with notes of pear and peach, it shows lovely depth. (89/100)
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Says Farm Yokawa Blanc 2020: A blend of three varietals, it has grassy notes accompanied by bright fruit and texture. (91/100)
Umashikuri Winery, Mie Prefecture
In a region with only seven wineries, Umashikuri produces around 10,000 bottles annually.
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Umashikuri Winery Chardonnay 2022: Shows lively acidity with pear and citrus notes. (90/100)
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Umashikuri Winery Rosé 2023: This wine, made from Pinot Noir and Merlot, is bright with cherry and plum characteristics. (90/100)
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Umashikuri Winery Muscat Bailey A Sparkling 2022: A traditional method sparkler that’s bright and fresh. (91/100)
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Umashikuri Winery Muscat Bailey A 2022: Fruity with a hint of almond and fresh strawberry notes. (90/100)
Vin Vie Winery, Nagano Prefecture
Vin Vie focuses exclusively on estate-grown grapes, showcasing the regional character.
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VinVie Cabernet Franc Barrel Aged 2022: Sweetly fruited with raspberry and strawberry flavors, offering a lighter drinking style. (89/100)
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VinVie Rouge 2022: Made from wild grapes, it presents juicy vibrant berries and good acidity. (91/100)
Kiritoyama Winery, Nagano Prefecture
This winery produces natural wines with unique character.
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Kiritoyama Muscat Bailey A 2022: A light and characterful wine with berry and rhubarb notes. (89/100)
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Kiritoyama Merlot 2021: Sweet and ripe with cherries and herbs, showcasing an open and deliciously textured profile. (90/100)
Other Notable Wineries
- Hakodate Winery (Hokkaido) and Niki Hills Winery (Hokkaido) produce charming wines with a focus on freshness and purity.
- Coco Farm (Tochigi) is renowned for its innovative blends and high-quality fruits, while Rue de Vin (Nagano) stands out for its expressive varietals.
- Takeda Winery (Yamagata) specializes in natural wines, including delightful Pet Nats that showcase vigorous fruit flavors.
Japanese wines present a unique blend of tradition and innovation, making this tasting an enlightening experience in exploring Japan’s growing viticulture.