Wine consumption and production in Japan has seen a steady and significant rise in recent years. Japanese wine’s growing global popularity led to an increase in production giving rise to the establishment of over 200 wineries across 47 prefectures. Japan’s main grape cultivation regions can be found in Hokkaido, Nagano, Yamagata and Yamanshi where the white grape, koshu, is the predominant product grown and used to make Japanese wine.
The high quality and subtle taste of Japanese wine has been its selling point worldwide so a move to make a distinction between wines should guarantee that quality. With that in mind, the Japanese government introduced a tightening of regulation regarding how wine in Japan is distinguished.
In order for a wine to be considered Japanese wine it must be made using only grapes harvested in Japan and with no water added during the fermentation and maturation stages of production. Domestic wine is wine that has been produced in Japan but has been made using imported grapes instead of the home-grown variety.
The high quality and subtle taste of Japanese wine has been its selling point worldwide
Statistics Paint a Positive Picture
A study conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries found that 17,280 tons of wine grapes were produced in 2015, marking the highest point since records began in 2003. In 2016, almost 16,000 kiloliters of Japanese wine was exported, which accounts for a year-on-year increase of 5.2%.
Total exports of wine, domestic and Japanese, saw an annual jump of 26% in 2016 and this number is expected to continue to rise in the future as its reputation grows. Wine made in Japan has won a number of international awards including a gold medal at the Decanter Asia Wine Awards for Grace Winery’s 2012 Gris de Koshu.
However, it’s not all good news. One problem the wine industry in Japan faces is the ageing of experienced grape farmers throughout the wine regions. A measure currently being taken to counter this issue is to secure abandoned farmland for the cultivation of new vineyards, but, more needs to be done to encourage younger people into the industry.
Japanese Winemakers Abroad
A number of talented Japanese winemakers have made a name for themselves in France, the most famous of which is Hirotake Ooka whose Domaine de Grande Colline wine has a big following in his home country as well as in France. Almost all of the wine produced by Japanese winemakers is organic and natural.
One such Japanese couple making wine in the south of France hit the headlines recently, but for another reason. The couple, who are into their second year as wine producers, were threatened with deportation from France after their business was deemed “not viable” by authorities.
This decision was met with public outcry spurring a petition with over 42,000 names on it opposing the deportation order. The couple’s wine has proved very popular with local wine experts. All 10, 000 bottles of their wine production last year sold out and 74% of this year’s production is already reserved and highly anticipated by the public. Lucky for everyone, the decision was overturned and the couple can fill their orders.
Japan is certainly making a name for itself in the global wine industry with various success stories to boast of so far. If it continues on its current trajectory, maybe we’ll see it give French and Spanish wines a run for their money in the future as the wine of choice on dinner tables around the world.
Japan has an excellent product in its Japanese wine – let’s just hope the country can keep up with the growing demand for it!
