Japanese Wine Crosses Borders

The town of Katsunuma, in the centre of Japan, is reminiscent of a small village in Burgundy. It’s more of a white wine than a saké place. And with good reason: this town, located in the heart of Yamanashi Prefecture, is the birthplace of Japanese wine. In 2018, there were around thirty vineyards in Katsunuma, responsible for producing 27% of the country’s total amount of wine.

The speciality, Koshu, is a 100% Japanese white wine, and the grape varieties used to make it are accustomed to the local climate, in fact growing only in Japan. Local wine makers have created their own appellations and now export the wine they produce, since the average Japanese person drinks just 2.5 litres of wine a year, compared to the average French person, who drinks over 50. 

More information about Koshu wine can be found on the website for the association of wine growers in the region.