Japanese wine, which is produced domestically using 100% grapes grown in Japan, has undergone remarkable evolution and is attracting attention from around the world. As ``Japanese wine'' begins to awaken and undergo a paradigm shift, three wine authorities will carefully select and introduce 3 bottles that you should experience now.

Japanese wine x Diamond Sake Brewery Masukatto Bailey AY cube 2016 selected by wine journalist Tadayuki Yanagi

If Koshu is a variety unique to Japan for white wine, Muscat Bailey A is a variety unique to Japan for red wine. This grape was successfully bred by Zenbei Kawakami of Echigo Takada in order to be able to successfully grow it for winemaking in Japan's humid environment. He crossed the disease-resistant North American Bailey as the mother and the European Muscat Hamburg, which is suitable for brewing, as the father.

Muscat Bailey A is certainly easy to grow in Japan, and boasts the largest cultivation area in the country as a red wine brewing variety. However, the grapes are large and the wine tends to be light. On top of that, it smells like strawberry candy, which used to be more like cheap Beaujolais.

However, there it is. The wine made by Diamond Sake Brewery in Katsunuma impressed me for the first time, saying, ``Can Muscat Bailey A produce such a strong wine?'' Yoshio Amamiya, the winemaker, studied winemaking in Burgundy and applied the techniques he learned there to Muscat Bailey A. By working together with the growers, we succeeded in producing wine that is enjoyable to drink.

Intense red berry scent. Silky tannins. It has a spicy and complex flavor that can be enjoyed young, but it will also be an interesting wine to age.

(Titles omitted)

Diamond Sake Brewery Masukatto Bailey AY cube 2016
Maker: Diamond Sake Brewery
Variety: Muscat Bailey A
Features: Burgundy-style construction. This winery specializes in Koshu white wine and Muscat Bailey A red wine. I have high hopes for the future.
Price: 2,925 yen (tax included/according to editorial department)
http://www.jade.dti.ne.jp/~chanter/

Tadayuki Yanagi
Wine journalist.Born in Yokohama in 1965. After working as a reporter for a wine magazine, he became an independent wine journalist in 97. He visits wine-producing regions around the world, from Yamanashi to Chile on the other side of the world, and shares the latest information on local wine conditions. He writes for the wine magazine Weinart as well as lifestyle magazines. He is the supervisor of Nikkei Mook ``Wine Style.''