2023 Koshu Private Reserve, Grace Winery

This wine is made from Japan’s most important indigenous grape variety, Koshu, which is grown in Japan’s top Koshu producing region: Katsunuma.

Pure, 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.

Situated 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.