Asia’s Top 10 Wine Importers by Revenue Ranked

No. 2. Mercian

Revenue: US$ 450 million for sochu and wine, both domestic and imported

Country: Japan

Mercian Corporation, founded in 1934, is a leading wine producer and importer in Japan, fully owned by Japan’s drinks giant Kirin Group. Under President Masamitsu Otsuka, the company employs 660 staff and domestically produces wine through Chateau Mercian, Japan’s first privately owned winery, with an annual production of about 50,000 cases in 2023. 

Mercian has played a key role in making wine accessible to Japanese consumers, beginning its import business in the 1970s. The company started by importing Tio Pépé from Spain in 1972 and expanded to include wines from Germany, Hungary, and France over the following years. Notably, it secured partnerships with major businesses like Maison Albert Bichot, Rémy Cointreau, Champagne Pommery, and Crus & Domaines de France.

In the 2000s, Mercian strengthened its import operations by acquiring a 44% stake in Nippon Liquor Ltd. in 2005. The latter is a company specializing in premium global brands for luxury hotels and restaurants. Mercian has been the exclusive agent for Burgundy’s Louis Jadot in Japan since 1974, and this partnership resulted in Louis Jadot investing in the company in 2000. The company also owns wineries in France, Spain, and the U.S., including Markham Vineyards in Napa Valley. 

In April 2022, Mercian launched the “Pacific Link Project” with Concha y Toro, which aims to boost Japanese wine exports by 1.4 times year-on-year.

While Mercian has not disclosed its specific market share in Japan’s imported wine sector, it is recognized as a market leader. In 2023, according to its representative, the company reported revenue of 64.4 billion yen (US$450 million) in Shochu and wine, marking a 6.5% increase from the previous year, with profits rising to 0.8 billion yen (US$ 5.5 million), recovering from a prior loss.