Grapes & Varietals
Muscat Bailey A (マスカット・ベーリーA) — Everything You Need to Know About Japan's Own Red Wine Grape
Japan's own red wine grape was not inherited — it was built. Kawakami Zenbei crossed vines 10,311 times in Niigata snow country before cross number 3,986 became Muscat Bailey A in 1927. The strawberry-candy aroma, the styles, the food pairings, and the 2013 OIV recognition that followed Koshu's.
Maeve (メイヴ) — The "Miracle Grape" Discovered in a Japanese Backyard
A single vine in a Fujisawa backyard, a DNA test with no match anywhere in the world, and a new Japanese grape that survives −30°C, grows in Okinawa, and thrives on Tokyo rooftops. The story of Maeve, Japan's "miracle grape."
Everything You Need to Know About Koshu Wine
Koshu is Japan’s signature white wine—delicate, elegant, and beautifully food-friendly. In this guide, we explore what makes Koshu so special, from its ancient Silk Road roots and Yamanashi heritage to Kazumi Wines’ rare Napa Valley-grown Koshu and Grace Wine’s acclaimed Japanese expression. Discover its flavor profile, food pairings, growing global reputation, and why this quietly refined grape is one of the most exciting wines to try now.
