From Vineyard to Glass – Through the Eyes of a Winemaker

The terms “sulfur dioxide” or “sulfites” have become something of a dreaded unhealthy buzzword in Japan’s wine industry today, treated with the same revulsion as a venomous snake. Meanwhile, sulfur dioxide-free wines—those made without adding these antiox …

When you’re tired from the day’s work, when you want to add a touch of elegance to your everyday life, when you wish to spend quality time with close friends, or when you need to refresh yourself from the oppressive heat—sparkling wine is the perfect comp …

You open a bottle of wine you’ve been looking forward to and pour it into your glass. As you bring your nose close to enjoy the aromatic bouquet rising from the wine, something seems off. Many of you have probably had this experience. Wine that produces u …

I would like to introduce the content of a fascinating article published in the German wine magazine “der deutsche Weinbau.” Image or Sensation? The title of this article is “Image vs. Sensorik.” If we translate this somewhat freely, it becomes “Image or …

When tasting wine, which element do you focus on most? Many of you might be conducting tastings that center more on aroma than on flavor. For winemakers, some of you may be paying more attention to the wine’s compositional elements themselves, such as res …

Did you know that wine may contain surprisingly many potential allergens? Acetaldehyde and biogenic amines, which can potentially cause headaches, may be present in any wine regardless of type or production method. On the other hand, casein and egg whites …

In recent years, the term “biodynamic” or “biodynamic agriculture” has rapidly gained mainstream recognition. This is particularly true in the wine industry, where many globally acclaimed producers have adopted this approach, and you may have encountered …

When explaining the distinctive character of wine, the discussion often relates to terroir. Soil is one of the elements that constitute terroir. There are numerous types of soil. Alongside clay and limestone, Schiefer occupies a significant position among …

Recently, I wrote an article about how earlier budbreak in grapevines increases the risk of frost damage. But do you know what methods exist to protect against this frost damage? Traditional Method: Warming by Open Fires The most traditional countermeasur …

According to statistics published by the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), the global vineyard area in 2022—encompassing wine grapes as well as table grapes, raisins, and juice grapes—amounted to approximately 7.3 million hectares.Althoug …

You tasted a white wine at a winery or wine shop and liked it enough to purchase it. However, you felt it was still a little early for drinking, so you decided to let it rest a bit longer in your home cellar. Six months later, at the dinner table. You kne …

Cabernet Blanc, Cabernet Jura, Muscaris, Souvignier Gris. Do these varietal names sound familiar to you? From the sound of “Cabernet~”, “Musca~”, and “Souvi~”, many of you may have guessed that these are wine grape varieties. Indeed, these are all names o …

When making one’s own wine, few producers have never hesitated over the choice of whether to ferment with active dry yeast or to rely on indigenous microorganisms—so-called “wild” yeasts—present on grapes and in the winery. If the priority is fermentation …

There are vessels that have been traditionally used in winemaking for centuries. When we think about it carefully, there may be cases where we cannot clearly explain why we continue to use them. Why do we use qvevri? What makes Bocksbeutel superior to ord …

Maceration is one of the winemaking techniques used in wine production. In Japan, this technique is also called “kamoshi” (醸し), and it refers to the process of soaking grape skins and seeds in grape juice or wine for periods ranging from several hours to …

In recent years, global winters have become warmer and summers have turned into periods of extreme heat. Daily life that once considered 30°C hot has shifted to a reality where 40°C is now the standard for hot weather. The terms “global warming” and “clim …

One of the most critical factors in winemaking is pH. Many people may recall learning about pH in middle school science or high school chemistry classes. However, understanding how pH relates to wine can be challenging. When researching the relationship b …

The addition of brewing alcohol in sake production and sugar supplementation in winemaking—these practices seem to be quite antagonized in many cases. They give the impression of being the dark side of fermented beverages, untouchable territories, so to s …

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3zcrR39d8Q In recent years, the concept of “diversity” has become a frequent topic of discussion within the wine industry. However, this diversity does not merely refer to variations within traditional frameworks such as d …

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9hVTlhyZDc Among wine enthusiasts, the belief that “good vineyards” produce quality wines is widely accepted. Wines from vineyards with classifications such as Grand Cru or Premier Cru are often perceived as “distinctly di …

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-SccwUyehI The term “natural wine” remains a perpetual source of heated debate among wine enthusiasts. This phrase has become so ubiquitous that it jumps out at us from Tokyo’s streets in combinations like “natural wine an …