{"title":"Japan","description":"\u003cp data-end=\"504\" data-start=\"35\"\u003eIn Japan, winemaking is less an act of agriculture than an expression of harmony, a balance between land, climate, and craftsmanship. Nestled between forested mountains and calm seas, Japan’s vineyards are shaped by precision and patience, mirroring the nation’s aesthetic of quiet perfection. The country’s wine culture may be young by global standards, but its sensibility is ancient: purity of flavour, respect for seasonality, and a profound connection to place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1228\" data-start=\"506\"\u003eAt the heart of this story is \u003cstrong data-end=\"545\" data-start=\"536\"\u003eKoshu\u003c\/strong\u003e, Japan’s signature grape, a pale pink-skinned variety with over a millennium of history, believed to have journeyed along the Silk Road before taking root in the valleys of Yamanashi, at the foot of Mount Fuji. There, on well-drained volcanic and alluvial soils, cooled by mountain air and nourished by pure snowmelt, Koshu produces wines of luminous delicacy. Typically dry and finely textured, they unfold with aromas of white peach, yuzu zest, and gentle minerality, subtle yet persistent, much like the landscape itself. Some winemakers experiment with skin contact or oak ageing, giving Koshu a whisper of depth and umami that pairs seamlessly with Japan’s refined cuisine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-is-only-node=\"\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-end=\"1614\" data-start=\"1230\"\u003eKoshu embodies the essence of Japanese winemaking: restraint, clarity, and quiet confidence. It’s not a wine that shouts; it lingers, it suggests, it invites contemplation. In every glass, you taste the mist, the mountain, and the meticulous care of its makers. Japan’s wines don’t seek to imitate the West; they reflect the Japanese spirit -  precise, poetic, and beautifully serene.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"2023-koshu-private-reserve-hishiyama-vineyard-grace-winery","title":"2023 Koshu Private Reserve 'Hishiyama Vineyard', Grace Winery","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"woocommerce-product-details__short-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMade from Japan’s most important indigenous grape variety: Koshu.  Complex and layered aromas of green apple and lime are complemented by grassy notes, fennel, flint and coriander. This is bone dry and smooth on the tightly knitted palate with a tongue-tensing acidity enveloping the fruit through to a deliciously fresh and textured finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe grapes for the Hishiyama Private Reserve are grown in a vineyard with a complex granitic soil structure. The warm climate promotes healthy grapes with a good phenolic maturity at harvest time. A modern long cordon training system is being used as an alternative to the traditional trellising methods. Significant advances have been made in limiting yields and focussing on canopy management. These endeavours have concentrated flavours and sugars, balancing the high acidity that occurs naturally in this variety.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Wine Republic","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54799777661313,"sku":null,"price":27.75,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0916\/0513\/9841\/files\/WineRepublicimage-23.png?v=1770048349"},{"product_id":"2023-koshu-kayagatake-grace-winery","title":"2023 Koshu Kayagatake, Grace Winery","description":"\u003cp\u003eMade from Japan’s most important indigenous grape variety: Koshu. Elegant aromas of green apple, grapefruit, chamomile and white pepper lead to a smooth, bone dry palate. This is a delicate yet tense white wine, with a lively acidity that gives beautiful structure through to a long mouth watering finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe grapes for this wine are grown on the foothills of Mt. Kayagatake from estate managed vineyards at an altitude of 400 to 700 metres. The vines are planted in distinctively volcanic soils with good drainage, providing excellent growing conditions. The vineyard has a cool climate but also abundant sunshine, allowing the slow maturation of the grapes over a long growing season.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wine Republic","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54799792767361,"sku":null,"price":21.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0916\/0513\/9841\/files\/koshukayagatake.png?v=1770048375"},{"product_id":"2023-koshu-private-reserve-grace-winery","title":"2023 Koshu Private Reserve, Grace Winery","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis wine is made from Japan’s most important indigenous grape variety, Koshu, which is grown in Japan’s top Koshu producing region: Katsunuma.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePure, sublimely crisp and mineral in style, this wine is fresh and elegant with rich aromas of fresh pear, white peach, honeysuckle, rosemary, clove and mineral stone notes. Dry, with a lively palate of crisp, ripe fruits and a charming acidity which offers the wine great backbone, through to a hint of umami on the finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSituated at the eastern end of the Kofu basin, the Katsunuma’s area is an alluvial fan with well-drained soils, an area which has been suitable for viticulture since ancient times. The characteristic, intricate terrain with its complex, volcanic soils produces wines that distinguish the sense of place. The vines are grown at elevations of above 400 metres; these high- altitude, hilly areas such as the Toriihira in Katsunuma, Hishiyama and Fukasawa districts produce limited yields, concentrated flavours and balancing acidity, due to the diurnal temperature swings. Traditional trellis pruning has been cast aside in favour of a modern long cordon training system which helps to control yields; concentrating flavours and sugars to balance the high acidity that occurs naturally in this variety. In order to reduce the effects of autumn rain, each bunch is covered with an umbrella and the fruit is hand-picked at optimal maturity.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wine Republic","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54799792800129,"sku":null,"price":25.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0916\/0513\/9841\/files\/koshuprivateReserve.png?v=1770048379"},{"product_id":"dreamsake-daiginjo-no-1","title":"Daiginjo No.1 Smooth Japanese Sake, Dreamsake","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"80\" data-end=\"484\"\u003ePure, delicate and effortlessly smooth, this Daiginjo opens with gentle aromas of pear, melon and white peach, touched by soft floral notes and a whisper of rice sweetness. The palate is clean and beautifully refined, gliding with silken texture, subtle fruit and a calm, polished finish. There is precision here rather than intensity, with everything dialled towards balance, clarity and quiet elegance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"486\" data-end=\"761\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"486\" data-end=\"499\"\u003eFor when:\u003c\/strong\u003e you want something refined that slows the pace of the evening.\u003cbr data-start=\"562\" data-end=\"565\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"565\" data-end=\"580\"\u003ePairs with:\u003c\/strong\u003e sashimi, oysters, lightly grilled fish, or simply enjoyed well chilled on its own.\u003cbr data-start=\"663\" data-end=\"666\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"666\" data-end=\"688\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eIf this sake were…\u003c\/strong\u003e a minimalist Japanese interior, calm, precise, and perfectly considered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"763\" data-end=\"1327\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eDreamsake was created with the aim of introducing premium Japanese sake to a wider, modern audience without losing authenticity. Working closely with traditional breweries in Japan, Dreamsake focuses on purity, craftsmanship and approachability. Daiginjo No.1 Smooth is made using highly polished rice and cool, slow fermentation, resulting in a sake of finesse and elegance. It is a contemporary expression rooted in classic technique, clean, graceful and beautifully drinkable, offering a seamless bridge between fine wine drinkers and the world of premium sake.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wine Republic","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55047454294401,"sku":null,"price":25.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0916\/0513\/9841\/files\/DreamsakeDaiginjoNo.1.png?v=1770049451"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0916\/0513\/9841\/collections\/collection_background_image_14f131a0-f10e-411a-8db8-080588f8266e.png?v=1763292417","url":"https:\/\/www.wine-republic.co.uk\/collections\/japan.oembed","provider":"Wine Republic","version":"1.0","type":"link"}