Top 100 red wines of Yamanashi-ken

Discover the top 100 best red wines of Yamanashi-ken as well as the best winemakers in the region. Explore the varietals of the red wines that are popular of Yamanashi-ken and the best vintages to taste in this region.

Discovering the wine region of Yamanashi-ken

Yamanashi is the first Japanese Geographical Indication (GI) for wine. Established in 2013, it is situated in the prefecture of the same name. Yamanashi is promoted as the birthplace of Japanese wine production. The most prominent Grape varieties grown here are the indigenous vitis vinefera white grape variety Koshu, and the Japanese-bred pale red Hybrid Muscat Bailey A.

The latter makes Soft, Fruity reds, while Koshu Dry white wines tend to be Aromatic dry, crisp and citrussy. Koshu is thought to have been cultivated in the Yamanashi Prefecture for a thousand years or more. Genetic studies of the grape tend to support this. Of the 40 other permitted varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay are most prominent.

As of 2018 there are around 80 wineries. Nearly half of these are located arround Koshu City. The 670 hectares (1,655 acres) of vineyards in Yamanashi produce around 40 percent of Japan's entire grape wine output. The wine industry in its modern form dates back to the 1870s in Yamanashi.

News from the vineyard of Yamanashi-ken

Best distilleries to visit in New York

As Manhattan’s first distillery since Prohibition opens to the public, Vicki Denig takes a look at the city’s distilling scene and recommends four other NY-based distilleries to visit.  America’s craft spirits industry is booming – and New York is home to one of its fastest-growing markets. Featuring over 160 craft distilleries, the state is no stranger to well-made, small-batch spirits. For those looking to taste their way through a robust market, there’s possibly no better place on the E ...

DRC, rare 1874 Champagne lift Christie’s to record auction total

Christie’s said the bottle of Perrier-Jouët ‘Brut Millesimé’ from the ‘outstanding’ 1874 Champagne vintage sold for £42,875 ($56,981, €50,292), far outstripping its pre-sale high estimate of £15,000. The winning bidder will also get a VIP experience at Perrier-Jouët. It was part of a collection of rare vintages sourced directly from Maison Perrier-Jouët and 100% sold by Christie’s at a wider wine and spirits auction held in London on 2 and 3 December. While the 1874 bottle’s ap ...

Concern that wine prices may rise amid cost pressures

Inflation and higher costs have led to questions in the UK and US in recent weeks about how much the trade can absorb before wine prices increase. Despite a recent freeze on duty tax, the UK Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has said it is concerned wine prices may rise in 2022 due to myriad factors, including higher costs, inflation and supply chain issues. The trade body sent a letter to government signed by 49 UK wine and spirits businesses last month, warning that ‘rising cost ...

The best wines of Yamanashi-ken in other styles