Japanese Koshu Wine Promoted In UK

I read today that the Yamanashi governor Shomei Yokouchi and a group of winery owners from Yamanashi Prefecture are currently promoting their Japanese Koshu white wines in Europe, starting off in London.

This reminded me of when my wife and I visited L’Orient Winery in Katsunuma, (the main city in Yamanashi prefecture) last summer and met Mr Takao Uchida the president of Shirayuri Winery Company. He told us about their plans for promoting the Katsunuma wine in the UK.

A really friendly guy who gave us a tour of his vineyards and let us try the grapes off the vine!
He’s also appeared in a Japanese manga about food and wine,
called “Oishinbo” (美味しんぼ）　- it’s not often you get to meet a comic character in real life!
(Issue 80 if anyone’s interested – a special on Katsunuma wines and wineries).


When he told us about the planned promotion of Japanese wines in the UK I wasn’t sure how well they’d go down, as Japanese red wines are often made with the Muscat Bailey A grape which has a distinct taste and is very fruity and juicelike.
Even Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignons from Japan tend to be very light and more like juice than Old World wines. (I’m not a big fan of the reds as you can tell, but my wife likes them a lot, perhaps their more suited to the Japanese palate.)

However a lot of the Japanese white wines that I’ve tried have been excellent.

Especially the wines made from the Japanese native grape, Koshu. For example Toriibira Koshu Sur Lie from Domaine Chateraise. (I should mention L’Orient wines but I haven’t got round to reviewing them yet – sorry.)

White wine, especially Japanese white wine goes very well with Japanese food, especially sushi – as I recently discovered when I changed from my usual beer to wine to give it a try.
A revelation!
(White wine and fish, obvious combination – should have thought of that ages ago!)


I’d recommend giving the Koshu wines a try if you get the chance.

Related posts on MoIppai :

• Japanese Koshu Wines Debut in Europe
• Domaine Chateraise Winery in Katsunuma Japan
• Yamanashi Wine Jelly
• L’Orient Winery, Katsunuma Japan