Japanese Koshu Wines Debut in Europe

Koshu Wine from Japan

Previously I wrote a post about a group of wineries from Yamanashi prefecture travelling to the UK to promote Koshu Wines there, and also about my visits to Katsunuma (in Yamanashi prefecture), and some of the wineries there including Grace Winery.

Well, I’ve just read in the paper this morning that Koshu, as a wine variety, was registered with the International Organization of Vine and Wine this March. This is a requirement for the wine to be sold in Europe, and has opened the door to Japanese wineries to export Koshu wines to the “Old World”.

Initially Grace Wines have sent 2000 bottles of Grace Koshu Kayagatake and Grace Koshu Private Reserve to Britain, and plans are afoot for the Yamanashi Prefecture Wine Manufacturers Association to send 10,000 bottles (from five different wineries) this financial year.

I haven’t tried any Koshu wines from Grace Winery, but I have tried a few from other wineries in the area and, as with all wine varieties, there are good and bad, my favourite was the Adega D’Aruga Bosque 2006 from Katsunuma Winery.