This is a simple, easy-drinking wine that has a flavor profile more typical of a soft drink than that of a wine. From its grapey/strawberry nose to the sweetness that predominates on the palate, its low abv—9%—and rosé-like pinkness, it is Sweet Sixteen (or whatever the legal drinking age is in your place of residence) … Continue reading Tsuno Sparkling Wine Campbell Early →

Shichida is a sake made by Tenzan Brewery in Saga Prefecture. We tried two namazake (unpasteurized sake), one made from Omachi rice (more about this later) and the other from Aiyama. The former sake had a pleasing nose with liquorice notes, an abv of 17%, and was predominantly sweet. We found it easy to drink … Continue reading Shichida Namazake →

Yama budo (mountain grape) belongs to neither the Vitis vinifera nor Vitis labrusca family of grapes, and for that reason alone, it deserves a chance to present its case in the court of curious wine drinkers. The case it will make, in most circumstances, is likely to convince all but the hardcore vinifera crowd that … Continue reading Hachimantai Yamabudo Wine →

Muscat Bailey-A is a varietal closely associated with Japan. In fact, it can be considered Japan’s most famous “indigenous” red varietal. The quotation marks are necessary because the grape from which the wine is made is not native to Japan. However, Japanese vintners are rather fond of it, and in recent years some have started … Continue reading Chanter Muscat Bailey-A Y Carré de Hosaka 2016 →

Coronavirus crimped our style and derailed all our plans for March. We had initially planned to visit the Suntory Hakushu Distillery in Yamanashi Prefecture with some side trips to a small winery along the way. Distillery tours have to be made several months in advance and due to the popularity of Japanese whisky, the tours … Continue reading Suntory Master’s Dream Matured in Yamazaki Whisky Barrels →