Close Menu
News Partner content

Koshu of Japan annual London trade tasting celebrates terroir

On Wednesday, 5 February, Koshu of Japan unites nine wineries across the Yamanashi Prefecture at Japan House in London for an annual trade tasting.

Koshu of Japan tasting

Established in July 2009 by 15 Japanese wine producers, Koshu of Japan aims to improve the quality of the indigenous white wine grapes and wines produced in the Yamanashi Prefecture and increase awareness across global markets.

On 5 February, the organisation will host its annual tasting at a new venue—Japan House in London’s Kensington High Street. From 11am-4pm, the one-day event is open only to UK trade and press by invitation. Guests will have the opportunity to sample more than 30 imported and unimported wines from nine wineries in Yamanashi, showcasing the versatility, quality, and food-pairing potential of the Koshu grape.

Shigekazu Misawa, chairman of Koshu of Japan, comments: “When Koshu of Japan was established 16 years ago and began promoting Koshu wine in the UK, most people had never heard of it. Since then, producers have striven to improve the quality of the wines further, and in recent years, winemaking has focused on the terroir of the region and vineyards. Yamanashi Prefecture is surrounded by mountains and contains wine-producing areas with vastly different conditions, such as temperature, altitude, soil type, and hours of sunlight. We hope this year’s tasting provides an opportunity for the UK trade to taste through the diverse range of Koshu wines available and explore the impact of terroir on each wine’s character and flavour.”

Attendees are also welcome to dive deep into the region’s terroir at one of two masterclasses hosted by Sarah Jane Evans MW, wine writer, speaker, and wine judge, and Agnieszka Swiecka, head of wine at The Audley and Mount Street Restaurant and UK Sommelier of the Year 2023. These expert-led sessions will explore a variety of wines from different wineries, illustrating how site-specific factors in Yamanashi Prefecture influence the characteristics of the wine.

Evans comments: “I’m very excited to host a masterclass again at this year’s Koshu of Japan tasting. Since Koshu of Japan first launched its campaign in the UK in 2009, the wines have grown in character and diversity. At this tasting, we will explore the different terroirs of the wines: not just the distinct soils of the Yamanashi Prefecture, but also the different characters of the growers and winemakers.”

In 2025, the Koshu of Japan tasting in London will feature wines from Aruga Branca by Katsunuma Jozo, Château Mercian, Fujiclair, Grace Wine, Iwasaki Jozo, Kurambon Wine, Lumière, Manns Wine, and Tomi No Oka by Suntory.

Swiecka states: “Following my visit to the Yamanashi Prefecture last year, I am delighted to be hosting a masterclass at this year’s Koshu of Japan trade tasting. Koshu is such an exciting and diverse grape, and terroir plays a big role in the flavour of the wines. With so much to offer, I hope to see Koshu wines appearing on more and more wine lists across the UK.”

Register your interest to join the tasting here by 31 January.

History of Koshu

According to records, winemaking in Japan started in 1874 by individuals living in Yamanashi Prefecture’s Kofu City. The first full-scale winery, Iwaimura, now known as Katsunuma-cho, was established in 1879. Two years earlier, Dainippon Wine Company sent two young men to France to learn how to make wine, leading to the start of wine production in Japan using the native Koshu grape.

The Koshu grape is considered the most important indigenous grape variety in Japan. It was developed from grapes that travelled the Silk Road across Central Asia from the Caucasus to China and Japan around a thousand years ago. The grapes have a pinkish-grey tinge, and Koshu wines tend to be a pale, straw colour with soft, fruity aromas and overtones of citrus and peach, pairing exceptionally well with traditional light Japanese foods such as sushi and tempura seafood.

Winegrowers worked tirelessly to improve their wines’ quality, and after World War II, wine production increased dramatically. Today, there are 80 wineries in Yamanashi Prefecture. Due to the beneficial climatic extremes, long days of sunlight and well-drained volcanic soils, the landlocked Yamanashi Prefecture, which encompasses the northern part of Mount Fuji, has become a premium wine-growing region.

Koshu of Japan winery map

Related news

Heineken named ‘best supplier’ in on-trade report

Bourbon, Scotch and Cognac caught in trade dispute crossfire

Millesime Bio 2025 attended by 9,500 trade professionals

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

It looks like you're in Asia, would you like to be redirected to the Drinks Business Asia edition?

Yes, take me to the Asia edition No