Japan Flashcards
Why is grape growing a challenge in Japan?
Japan’s unpredictable climate makes grape growing a challenge
Small quantity due to trouble with ripening and grape health
What doubled in Japan between 1993-1998?
Domestic wine consumption in Japan
Which Asian country has the highest domestic wine consumption by capita in Asia?
Japan
Around 4L per capita, low by European standards but by far the highest in Asia
How many wineries are there in Japan?
Over 175 domestic wineries
How much of Japan’s wines sales are domestically produced?
In 2004, Japanese wine was 36% of total wine sales in Japan
How did locals in Japan develop a taste for Portuguese wine?
Portuguese missionaries carried wine as gifts for the Japanese feudal Lords in 16th Century
How much of Japan’s grapes are used for wine making?
Only 1/10th
Where are half of the active wineries in Japan located?
In the Yamanashi prefecture West of Tokyo
What is the climate in Yamanashi prefecture and why does it present a problem for winemaking?
Monsoonal climate which presents serious problems with excess water and humidity
What is the training method of vines in Yamanashi prefecture?
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.
Why are vine trained using a Tendone (tanazukuri) method in Yamanashi and most Honshu prefectures in Japan?
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.
Why are vine trained using a Tendone (tanazukuri) method in Yamanashi and most Honshu prefectures in Japan?
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.
What is notoriously low in viticultural terms in Yamanashi prefecture?
Vine density one or two vines for every 100 sq m
What robs grapes of character necessary for robust wines in the Yamanashi prefecture?
Low vine density
Excess rainfall
Tendency to maximise yields
Why are grapes from the district of Katsunuma in the Yamanashi prefecture favoured by winemakers?
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
Which prefectures has seen most of the recent growth in Japanese wine?
Nagano
Yamagata
Conditions are still far from ideal though
In the 1960 a second frontier for modern Japanese wine industry was opened up in which unlikely location?
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
Why are the growing conditions challenging in Central Hokkaido?
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
What is the acidity of most Japanese soils?
Very acidic
What is the most significant Vinifera vines in Japan?
Koshu
It is synonymous with the industry of Katsunuma which has over 90% of the total Koshu vineyard area.
Where has over 90% of the Koshu vineyard areas?
Katsunuma in Yamanashi prefecture
Why is Koshu an important variety in Japan?
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
Why are American hybrids used in Japan?
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%
What are the two most important American hybrid vines grown in Japan?
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
Why were international wines producers targeting Japan?
- Attracted by rapid growth
- Potential of 127 million affluent people
- Favourable exchange rates
- Relaxation of import barriers
Which Bordeaux vineyard did Suntory buy?
Château Lagrange in St Julien
How did domestic Japanese wineries try and compete with imports?
By using imported bulk wine, grape concentrate and must
What does ‘Kokusan budo’ mean?
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.
What is the average vineyard holding in Yamanashi?
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
What do large domestic wine producers in Japan rely on?
Bought in grapes
Most have vineyards but these are small and for experimental purposes
How much does European varieties comprise of vineyard area in Japan?
Little more than 1%
A little Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc in Yamanashi
And Northern European varieties Muller-Thurgau, Zweigelt and Kerner in Hokkaido
Who produces half of the total sales of domestic wines in Japan?
Five giant conglomerates
- Mercian
- Suntory
- Sapporo
- Manns Wine
- Asahi
What are three renowned smaller Koshu wineries?
Marufuji (Rubaiyat Label)
Katsunuma Jō zō
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