Japan adds three Geographically Indicated wine regions
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.
Author: Mari Yasuda
A WSET diploma holder, Mari Yasuda is a Japanese wine writer and educator.
Japan’s wine imports dip in H1 2021
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.
Merchants in Japan bullish on low-alcohol wines
With Tokyo Olympics in full swing and new lockdown measures in Japan, low-alcohol wines are quickly winning over health-conscious consumers.
Château Mercian releases its top Koshu wine
Château Mercian in Japan will release their ‘Icon Series’ Koshu, considered by the winery as its top echelon Koshu expression this September.
Japan’s Yamanashi sake gets GI protection
“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.
Winners announced for Japan’s Sakura Awards
The winners for Japan’s biggest wine competition, Sakura Awards, are announced. Despite Covid, the competition received the highest number of entries.
Japan introduces new regulation to define ‘Japanese whisky’
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.
Virtual shochu tours thrive during Covid in Japan
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.
Japan’s drinks giant Mercian eyes millennials, sparkling and organic wines for future growth
Japan’s Mercian Corporation is looking to millennials, “casual sparkling” and organic wines as growth engines for the company’s future.
OIV approves third indigenous Japanese grape
OIV has approved and recognized a new grape varietal called Yamasachi, the third indigenous Japanese grape to be recognized by the association.