This summer, JR East Group will host its latest edition of the Japan Premium Wine Fair from now till 31 March 2020 in 11 stores and restaurants across Singapore. During this time, guests can tickle their taste buds on five carefully selected wines sourced from both Yamanashi, known commonly as “the birthplace of Japanese wine” and Yamagata.
Through hosting the Wine Fair, JR East aims to increase global awareness of the unique qualities of Japanese wines to increase international demand for Japanese wine and domestic wine production across all of Japanʼs wine-growing regions ‒ through “wine tourism”.
Although France and Italy have virtually been synonymous with wine production, Japanese wine made from 100% Japan-grown grapes has been steadily gaining acclaim worldwide in recent years. As a testimony to this fact, a wide variety of specialty wine grapes are now cultivated in Japan, including Japan-only varieties such as “Koshu” and “Muscat Berry A”, which are usually the main ingredients in Japanese wines.
As true wine aficionados know, Japanese wine is quite distinct from other wines, primarily due to its delicate flavor. To cultivate wine grapes that satisfy oenophiles in rain-drenched parts of Japan, viticulturists have focused on grape quality at the expense of production volume. Therefore, while Japanese cuisine has long been held in high esteem internationally, lately Japanese wine has also been gaining recognition as its perfect complement – as well as the ideal way to best enjoy a broad range of non-Japanese fare with an oriental touch.
While the rapidly growing international reputation of Japanese wine has allowed it to cross borders and fill glasses of wine drinkers in Singapore, it is still unfortunate that Japanese wine remains out of reach to most consumers due to high prices and shipping costs. Thus, by hosting the Japan Premium Wine Fair, JR Eastʼs aim is to allow visitors to sample five unique Japanese wines, including award-winning ones, at special prices at the 11 participating stores stated below.
One of Singaporeʼs most renowned sommeliers, Mr. Kawai Daisuke noted that “the wines selected for the Japan Premium Wine Fair this time are all excellent products that are not in any way inferior to internationally famous wines. While Japanese wines were previously known for being too sweet and therefore not favored by oenophiles, the wines available now are different.” He also states that, “as long as you drop your biases and face the wine in front of you, I am confident that you will be able to see whatʼs so good about it. I hope that wine-loving Singaporeans and expats, in addition to Japanese, will be able to enjoy the wines this time”.
Japan Premium Wine Fair Wines
YAMANASHI PREFECTURE WINES
The birthplace of Japanese wine*, Yamanashi boasts the highest volume of grape and wine production in the country. It is registered as the first Geographical Indication of wine in Japan. The “GI Yamanashi” label is a guarantee of quality and origin and is expected to gain prominence both domestically and abroad in the near future.
Japan Wine SAKURA
- Grape Variety :
Koshu
- Body :
Sweet
- Characteristics :
Sweet, with some acidity, fruity.
Chateau Jun KOSHU 2019
- Grape Variety :
Koshu
- Body :
Semi-dry
- Characteristics :
Almost dry with some acidity and bitterness. With a Ginjo aroma similar to that of Japanese sakes.
2018 Rubaiyat Muscat Bailey A Barrel Aged
- Grape Variety :
Muscat Berry A
- Body :
Medium
- Characteristics :
Fruit flavours and a barrel-aged mellowness. Highly fragrant berry aromas.
YAMAGATA PREFECTURE WINES
Critics praise Yamagata, similarly to Yamanashi for its well-known fruit. Its grape production ranks third in the country, and while the number of wineries in Yamagata lags behind Yamanashi, the prefecture has seen an increasing number of brands performing well in wine contests. The two brands that will be introduced at the Japan Wine Fair have also won prizes at Asiaʼs largest and most prestigious wine competition, the Japan Wine Challenge 2019.
2016 TAKAHATA ARKADIA Select Harvest
- Grape Variety :
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot
- Body :
Full-bodied
- Characteristics :
Deep and mellow. Comfortable tannin and dry.
2017 TAKAHATA Le Clôture Életrique en Kamiwada Chardonnay
- Grape Variety :
Chardonnay
- Body :
Dry
- Characteristics :
Mellow and rich. Dry and elegant.
Participating Stores and Restaurants
- Al Solito Italian Japanese Wine and Food Tapas
- Ishinomaki Grill & Sake
- JAPAN RAIL CAFE
- Kan sushi
- La Terre
- Motsunabe Goku
- nomono (sales only)
- SUJU Japanese Restaurant
- Teppan kappou Kenji
- Tokyo Yakiniku Heijoen
- Trattoria Pizzeria Logic
