KOSHU WINE PROJECT

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KOSHU'S AIM TO THE WORLD…
…introducing a WORLD CLASS WINE

Up until now, all wine in Japan has been made for the domestic market.  The Koshu Cuvée Denis Dubourdieu is the first wine made in Japan from 100% grape.  No added sugar.  No added acidity.  Everything in the bottle was made as naturally as possible.

We believe that the Koshu grape can produce high quality white wines that will gain international recognition and status. (RESEARCH ON KOSHU) After tasting many wines and sending samples to numerous wine authorities all over the world, we have come to the conclusion that the Koshu grape made in a dry style without the use of oak barrels will be the best way to enhance the delicate qualities of the grape. By emphasizing the uniqueness of Koshu, we will be able to introduce the first Japanese wine to be readily and widely accepted on the international market.

The goals of the Koshu project:

1. We want to create the first internationally recognized wine from an indigenous Asian grape specifically made to match Asian cuisine.
2. We want to create an economically viable agricultural product that will reinvigorate the farming industry in Japan and create an inspiration and alternative lifestyle for young people.
3. In general, the great wine consuming countries are wine producers. By making fine wine in Japan we hope to expand interest and consumption to an international standard from the present 2.5 liters annually per capita to 8-10.

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KOSHU WINE PROJECT

It is clear that the most significant increase in wine consumption over the next century will take place in Asia.  As the world’s largest population block develops an enormous middle class with sophisticated taste and disposable income, the taste and demand for wine will expand dramatically.  Koshu Cuvée Denis Dubourdieu is the first Japanese wine to be released on the international market and clearly represents the potential of the Asian wine industry.

Up until recently, it was thought that world-class wines could only be produced in Europe.  In 1976, during the bicentennial celebration of the United States, the Academie du Vin in Paris held a tasting where French wines were compared to Californian wines. For the first time, the Californian wine industry was able to demonstrate that wines of equal or superior caliber could be produced outside of France and the Napa Valley was internationally recognized as the first world-class wine-producing region outside of Europe.

In the past two decades, countries from all around the world, such as South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Argentina, began producing wines that were accepted at a world-class level. Now Japan will be recognized as the first Asian country to be able to produce a world-class wine. By using an indigenous grape varietal that had not yet been introduced to the world, this delicate and unique style of wine will surely be the benchmark wine for all of Asia.

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Consumption and Production

Consumption is usually linked to production.  The great wine consuming countries are also producing countries and therefore, for the market to naturally expand in Asia, it is necessary for world-class wines to be produced in Asia.  The second point is that in developing wine markets, the consumers are generally polarized into two categories. There are the rich who want extremely high-end, grand wines, and the mass consumers, having little concept of quality and selecting wine solely for price.  As the market becomes more sophisticated, wine becomes more of an every day product.  Thus the consumer becomes more sophisticated and looks for a balance between price and quality.

Therefore, wines have to be affordable (which in economically advanced nations, means a ceiling price of $20(US) retail.  A good balance between price and quality along with easily distinguishable characteristics can offer necessary differentiation from other wines within the same price level.

If you would like to get more involved with our project, please contact us at info@koshu.org or click on the following link for upcoming events you can participate in - GETTING INVOLVED

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• KOSHU WINE PROJECT
• WINE WORLD