Grape variety
Koshu
甲州jiǎzhōu
Japan's own grape, and the first stop beyond China
- Type
- Grape variety
- Colour
- white
- Family
- Beyond China
- Origin
- Japan, Yamanashi
- Literal meaning
- the old name of Yamanashi province
Taste profile
Body
LightFullBody: 2 out of 5Tannin
LowHighTannin: 0 out of 5Acidity
LowHighAcidity: 3 out of 5Fruit
SubtleIntenseFruit: 2 out of 5
Aromas
- yuzu
- white peach
- pear
- subtle minerality
Sweetness · dry
Delicate yuzu and citrus, white peach and pear, light body and a clean, mineral finish.
Japan's grape
Koshu is Japan's signature wine grape, grown for centuries around Yamanashi, at the foot of Mount Fuji. Its berries have a pale pink-violet skin, and it is traditionally trained on high pergolas.
A delicate style
Koshu makes light, subtle, dry white wines, a perfect reflection of Japanese cuisine's search for purity and balance.
The next chapter
Koshu is the first stop of Wine Silk Road beyond China. Japan, Korea, India and Thailand are coming soon.
Where it grows
Grown in Japan — Asia beyond China, coming soon
Food pairings
- Sushi and sashimi
- Tempura
- Steamed fish
- Fresh cheeses
Sources
- Genomic characterization of the Japanese indigenous wine grape Vitis sp. cv. Koshu — Frontiers in Plant Science, 2020
- Koshu Project — Château Mercian
- Japan's zen-like Koshu goes global — Vino Joy News, 2024
- The rise of Japanese wine made from koshu grapes — Daily Maverick, 2019