From Vineyard to Glass – Through the Eyes of a Winemaker

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 …

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 …

Before writing this article, there is something I must clarify first. The author does not belong to any faction that could be called “anti-natural wine,” nor do I have an extreme dislike for “natural wine.” I hope you will read this article with this unde …

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 …

Why South African Wines Deliver Exceptional Quality at Accessible Prices South African wines have become indispensable in the global market as leading examples of high-quality yet affordable wines. While Chile once dominated this category, South Africa is …

Whenever I occasionally post about “natural wine” on X (formerly Twitter), those posts tend to be shared relatively widely for my account size. This simply indicates how many people react to this particular keyword. In recent years, especially in Japan, t …

On March 5, 2019, news emerged of fresh phylloxera damage in vineyards in the Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia. Phylloxera represents one of the most devastating pests in viticulture, capable of causing catastrophic damage to grapevines. In the past, thi …

Why South African Wines Deliver Exceptional Quality at Accessible Prices South African wines have become indispensable in the global market as leading examples of high-quality yet affordable wines. While Chile once dominated this category, South Africa is …

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 …

With the arrival of summer, grapevines in vineyards continue their growth cycle. Currently, vineyard operations are proceeding simultaneously with lateral shoot removal, leaf removal, and shoot tip cutting. During this period, Germany experienced two days …

The tasting method of comparing wines from different harvest years made from the same grape variety harvested from the same vineyard is called “vertical tasting.” This vertical tasting serves two purposes. The first purpose is to compare wines from new an …

On September 12th, the winery where I work harvested grapes for the first time in the 2019 season. While grape growth wasn’t as abnormally accelerated as in 2018, when the harvest came nearly a month earlier than usual, 2019 still marked the beginning of …

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 …

“Wine is made from grapes alone.” This is what most people believe, yet contrary to this assumption, some wine back labels include listings of additives. There are several types of additives, with antioxidants and stabilizers being among the most well-kno …

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 …

Have you ever encountered a red wine that tasted oddly flat yet somehow spicy, with aromas reminiscent of dust, mold, or sulfur compounds? Such wines may have been affected by film-forming yeasts during their aging period. While the term “film-forming yea …

Have you ever found a wine to taste “bitter”? How about sake—have you ever experienced bitterness when drinking it? When drinking alcoholic beverages, we occasionally encounter bitterness. Have you ever wondered why this happens? What would you think if t …

Why are red wines red? Many people have probably wondered about this question at some point. When researching this question, you can generally find the following information: The cause of red wine’s color is a substance called anthocyanins To extract more …

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=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 …

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 …