Despite volume decline, Japan's wine import value climbed in 2021, writes Mari Yasuda. Read More
Mari Yasuda
A WSET diploma holder, Mari Yasuda is a Japanese wine writer and educator.
Mercian Corporation (“Mercian”), a leading wine importer and producer in Japan owned by Kirin, has announced the launch of a new wine brand called “Mercian Wines”, as it tries to energize local wine market after slumping wine sales in 2021. Read More
On June 30, wines of Nagano, Yamagata and Osaka received a GI (Geographical Indication) status. In addition to “Yamanashi” in 2013 and “Hokkaido” in 2018, Japan now has five GIs for wines. Read More
Japan's import volume went down but value grew in the first half of 2021. Meanwhile, France has overtaken Chile in both volume and value. Read More
With Tokyo Olympics in full swing and new lockdown measures in Japan, low-alcohol wines are quickly winning over health-conscious consumers. Read More
Château Mercian in Japan will release their ‘Icon Series’ Koshu, considered by the winery as its top echelon Koshu expression this September. Read More
“Yamanashi” Geographic Indication (GI), which was granted for Yamanashi wines in 2013, is now recognized as a GI for Yamanashi sakes as well. This is the first case in the country to register wine and sake under the same GI. Read More
The winners for Japan's biggest wine competition, Sakura Awards, are announced. Despite Covid, the competition received the highest number of entries. Read More
Not all Japanese whisky is really Japanese whisky. For the first time, Japan introduced new regulations to clearly define the sought-after spirit. Mari Yasuda details the new changes and charts the history of Japanese whisky. Read More
While Covid-19 is confining people at home, virtual tour taking visitors to experience sake and shochu production is booming in Japan, writes Mari Yasuda. Read More