The subtitle of this entry sounds like it might be an oxymoron. After all, how can a cosmopolite be a local boy, too? Well, if wine can have legs—and it does…in a glass, of course—it can also have figurative legs that take it, not necessarily as a finished product, around the world in the form of varietals whose … Continue reading Goichi Wine-Hayashi Winery’s Merlot 2017:International but Local →

And, as the Cock crew, those who stood before The Tavern shouted—“Open, then, the Door! You know how little while we have to stay. And, once departed, may return no more.” As the current pandemic unfolds, there is no doubt that there are many of us who share the sentiments expressed in these lines from … Continue reading Rubaiyat Manriki Rouge →

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 →