Japan

Question 1

Why is grape growing a challenge in Japan?

Answer 1

Japan’s unpredictable climate makes grape growing a challenge

Small quantity due to trouble with ripening and grape health

Question 2

What doubled in Japan between 1993-1998?

Answer 2

Domestic wine consumption in Japan

Question 3

Which Asian country has the highest domestic wine consumption by capita in Asia?

Answer 3

Japan

Around 4L per capita, low by European standards but by far the highest in Asia

Question 4

How many wineries are there in Japan?

Answer 4

Over 175 domestic wineries

Question 5

How much of Japan’s wines sales are domestically produced?

Answer 5

In 2004, Japanese wine was 36% of total wine sales in Japan

Question 6

How did locals in Japan develop a taste for Portuguese wine?

Answer 6

Portuguese missionaries carried wine as gifts for the Japanese feudal Lords in 16th Century

Question 7

How much of Japan’s grapes are used for wine making?

Answer 7

Only 1/10th

Question 8

Where are half of the active wineries in Japan located?

Answer 8

In the Yamanashi prefecture West of Tokyo

Question 9

What is the climate in Yamanashi prefecture and why does it present a problem for winemaking?

Answer 9

Monsoonal climate which presents serious problems with excess water and humidity

Question 10

What is the training method of vines in Yamanashi prefecture?

Answer 10

Vines are trained using a tendone method of cultivation known as Tanazukuri

They are trained on overhead wires so bunches hang lower than the foliage and will be more freely exposed to circulating air.

Question 11

Why are vine trained using a Tendone (tanazukuri) method in Yamanashi and most Honshu prefectures in Japan?

Answer 11

As a defensive against fungal diseases caused by high humidity.

The tendone method means vines are trained in overhead wires or platforms so that bunches hang lower than the foliage and are more freely exposed to the circulating air.

Question 12

Why are vine trained using a Tendone (tanazukuri) method in Yamanashi and most Honshu prefectures in Japan?

Answer 12

As a defensive against fungal diseases caused by high humidity.

The tendone method means vines are trained in overhead wires or platforms so that bunches hang lower than the foliage and are more freely exposed to the circulating air.

Question 13

What is notoriously low in viticultural terms in Yamanashi prefecture?

Answer 13

Vine density one or two vines for every 100 sq m

Question 14

What robs grapes of character necessary for robust wines in the Yamanashi prefecture?

Answer 14

Low vine density
Excess rainfall
Tendency to maximise yields

Question 15

Why are grapes from the district of Katsunuma in the Yamanashi prefecture favoured by winemakers?

Answer 15

Considerably better climatic conditions than districts lower in the Kofu basin

Rainfall is lower

Drainage is better due to higher elevation

It gets a refreshing breeze which helps control rot and mildew

And has a wider diurnal temperature variation

And general better ripening conditions for grapes

Question 16

Which prefectures has seen most of the recent growth in Japanese wine?

Answer 16

Nagano
Yamagata

Conditions are still far from ideal though

Question 17

In the 1960 a second frontier for modern Japanese wine industry was opened up in which unlikely location?

Answer 17

Central Hokkaido in Japan’s northernmost island.

This is an extremely cold environment for grape growing.

Average temperatures rise to only 23• in July & August

By the end of September average temperatures are about 15• and by October below 10•C

Vineyards are covered in deep snow for most of the winter and vine are given winter protection by being buried in heaped soil to avoid damage

Vines are trained low along horizontal ground to get any reflective heat from the ground

Question 18

Why are the growing conditions challenging in Central Hokkaido?

Answer 18

This is an extremely cold environment for grape growing.

Average temperatures rise to only 23• in July & August

By the end of September average temperatures are about 15• and by October below 10•C

Vineyards are covered in deep snow for most of the winter and vine are given winter protection by being buried in heaped soil to avoid damage

Vines are trained low along horizontal ground to get any reflective heat from the ground

Question 19

What is the acidity of most Japanese soils?

Answer 19

Very acidic

Question 20

What is the most significant Vinifera vines in Japan?

Answer 20

Koshu

It is synonymous with the industry of Katsunuma which has over 90% of the total Koshu vineyard area.

Question 21

Where has over 90% of the Koshu vineyard areas?

Answer 21

Katsunuma in Yamanashi prefecture

Question 22

Why is Koshu an important variety in Japan?

Answer 22

Because it has adapted to the difficult growing conditions in Yamanashi prefecture

It has a long tradition

It is a heavy bearing vine producing big round pink tinged berries

Most suitable as a table grape

It is also used to make a wine that is almost colourless without a great deal of body and subtle flavours

The Kizan winery in Yamanashi has produced some good brandy from Koshu

Question 23

Why are American hybrids used in Japan?

Answer 23

Must research into which grape varieties are a match for the difficult conditions in Japan.

80% of area under vine are hybrids based on Vitis Lambrusca

Kyoho, a local hybrid of the American vine Concord is now the most widely grown variety in Japan, Delaware follows with 20%

Question 24

What are the two most important American hybrid vines grown in Japan?

Answer 24

Kyoho a local hybrid of the American variety Concord, based on Vitis Lambrusca Is the most widely grown in Japan with 35% of plantings

Delaware - with 20% of plantings

Question 25

Why were international wines producers targeting Japan?

Answer 25

1. Attracted by rapid growth
2. Potential of 127 million affluent people
3. Favourable exchange rates
4. Relaxation of import barriers

Question 26

Which Bordeaux vineyard did Suntory buy?

Answer 26

Château Lagrange in St Julien

Question 27

How did domestic Japanese wineries try and compete with imports?

Answer 27

By using imported bulk wine, grape concentrate and must

Question 28

What does ‘Kokusan budo’ mean?

Answer 28

100% domestic Grapes, grown, fermented and bottled in Japan

It can attract a big premium

Winemakers in Katsunuma go one step further with a certificate of origin seal.

Nagano prefecture introduced a similar regional certification system in 2003.

Question 29

What is the average vineyard holding in Yamanashi?

Answer 29

Very small 0.25 ha

80,000 grape growers in Japan

Even in Hokkaido where the scale of viticulture is greater average vineyard acreage is just 0.5ha

Question 30

What do large domestic wine producers in Japan rely on?

Answer 30

Bought in grapes

Most have vineyards but these are small and for experimental purposes

Question 31

How much does European varieties comprise of vineyard area in Japan?

Answer 31

Little more than 1%

A little Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc in Yamanashi

And Northern European varieties Muller-Thurgau, Zweigelt and Kerner in Hokkaido

Question 32

Who produces half of the total sales of domestic wines in Japan?

Answer 32

Five giant conglomerates

1. Mercian
2. Suntory
3. Sapporo
4. Manns Wine
5. Asahi

Question 33

What are three renowned smaller Koshu wineries?

Answer 33

Marufuji (Rubaiyat Label)

Katsunuma Jō zō

Grace