Winery Explore in Katsunuma, Japan Vol.2 (勝沼ワイナリー巡り 2）

Date: 25 Dec, 2015

昨年に引き続き、今年も勝沼ワイナリー巡りにやってきました。

ワイナリー巡りと行っても、子連れですので、日常と違う、シーズンオフの静かでのどかな勝沼エリアの散策を楽しむことも目的です。そのため、できる限り徒歩で回ります。

Following the visit last year, our family (husband, 2 kids and myself) went to Katsunuma to explore wineries again. As this is a family event to enjoy hiking in a quiet rural landscape of off-seasonal wine production areas in Japan, we visit wineries by walk as much as possible. 

今回は６ワイナリーを回りました。
We visited 6 wineries this time.

中央本線を乗り継いで、10時前に勝沼ぶどう郷駅着。プラットホームからブドウ畑が見えます。1件目の目的地、グレースワインまでは少し距離があるので、改札を出て、そのままタクシーで向かいます。

We arrived at JR Katunuma Budougou station before 10am after changing local trains a few times. The great view of grape field in Katsunuma welcomed us! Now, we moved to the first winery by taxi as it is a bit too far to walk.

A view of grape field from the platform

５．中央葡萄酒株式会社（グレースワイン）

Grace Wine

緑のヴェールに包まれた美しい外観のワイナリーなのですが、訪れたのは冬なので、石造りの外壁に茶色いツタが巻き付いていました。それもまた味わい深い外観を演出していました。こちらは、キュヴェ三澤シリーズ、グレイスシリーズなど、各種アワード受賞の多い、海外でも知名度の高いワイナリーです。

Grace Wine is a winery with a beautiful appearance covered by green vale (left), but there was no green vale when I visited them because of winter (right). I liked the winter appearance too!!  They are also famous in overseas because of the award winning wines, such as Cuvee Misawa, Grace Koshu, etc.

早速、綺麗なテイスティングルームで試飲開始。無料と有料の試飲があります。オフシーズンのせいか貸し切り状態でゆっくりと堪能させていただきました。無料でも別々のグラスに注いでくれる寛容さ、素晴らしい。

こちらのワインは以前にも飲んだことがあるのですが、高いクオリティーで美味しいのです。それなりに値も張ります。今日のお気に入りは、グリド甲州とグレイス茅ヶ岳2014でした。
Let's start tasting now at the beautiful tasting room. As we were the only visitor at that time, maybe because of off-season, we enjoyed tasting great wines served by the proper wine tasting grasses. Grace wine produces high quality wines, thus, comes at a price. Today's my favorite wines were Gris du Koshu and Grace Kayagatake 2014!!!

６．麻屋葡萄酒
Asaya Winery

今回の訪問で一番の収穫は、麻屋さんのワインでした。

まったくのノーマークで訪問予定はなかったのですが、グレースワインの目の前にあったので、ふらっと立ち寄ってみました。
Exploring Asaya winery was the hottest event this time. In fact, I didn't pick up Asaya initially, but we just walked in because they were located just in front of Grace wine.

入口は狭いのですが、2回に上がると、広々とした明るいテイスティングルームが広がっています。そして、ワインの種類の多さに驚きました。食用のマスカットやナイヤガラのワインもあるんです。これらはアルコール低めなので女性向け。葡萄ジュースもありキッズは大喜びです。有料試飲では甲斐ノワールの樽熟成も頂けます（おいしかったです）。とても居心地のよいテイスティングルームでした。次回もまた来たいな、と思わせるワイナリーでした。
The entrance was too small to miss it, but climbing up the staircase, you will see a large bright tasting room at the 2nd floor. We were surprised to see the large varieties of wines they were producing. They produce wines from the wide variety of grape, even from muscat , Delaware, or Niagara grapes which are the eating grapes and suitable for ladies who doesn't really drink because of the low alcohol content. Kids were very happy to drink the grape juice for tasting. I tasted their Kai Noir 2012 from paid tasting selection and it was very nice. I felt so comfortable that I could not leave there. I may visit them next time again. . 

なんと、予約していなかったにも関わらず、製造現場や地下セラーも見学させていただきました。
Although we didn't book the winery tour, they brought us to look around the winery.

レストラン風　(Restaurant KAZE)

勝沼醸造直営のレストラン。ここも今回の訪問の目玉です。
麻屋さんに送っていただいたお陰で、予約に15分遅れで間に合いました。
大人は地鶏のグリルと野菜のランチセット、キッズはスペシャルお子様ランチ（要予約）をいただきました。今回は、勝沼醸造は訪問しないので、地元の食材を使ったクオリティの高いランチとワインを合わせていただきました。

Thanked Asaya for sending us, we could reached Restaurant KAZE only 15min late from the booking time. Restaurant KAZE is owned by Katsunuma Winery. Visiting the restaurant was one of the main purpose in the trip. The adults had the lunch plate of local grilled chicken and vegetables and the kids had a special kid's lunch plate (required booking). We could enjoy the great meal and their wines here though we would not visit Katsunuma Winery. Highly recommended restaurant!!! 

Outlook of Restaurant KAZE (left)
Special kid's plate (right top), lunch plate (right bottom)

ランチの後は、こんなのどかな風景の中、また歩きます。

After lunch, we enjoyed walking in the country side. Seeing the rural landscapes.

２．丸藤葡萄酒 (ルバイヤート)
Marufuji Winery (Rubaiyat)

昨年に続き、2回目の訪問です。私の大好きなルバイヤードを醸すワイナリーです。
This was the 2nd time to visit them following last year. They may be much more famous for Rubaiyat brand that is one of my favorite Japanese wine.

自由に見学もできますが、今回はまっすぐにテイスティングルームへ。
お目当てのルバイヤードシリーズを試飲させていただきます。
樽貯蔵もなかなかですが、甲州シュールリーが大好きなんです。
スタッフの方（通常、奥様）とカウンター越しにお話しできるのも楽しみの一つ。
There is a self-tour course in the winery and you can freely walk around, but we directly went to the tasting room to taste my favorite Rubaiyat wines that time. Barrel aged Koushu was great, but my favorite was still Koshu sur lie. Another fun here is you can usually talk to the knowledgeable staff (usually, the wife of the winery owner) over the counter.

Right: Koshu Sur Lie (my favorite) and Koshu barrel aged

７．フジッコワイナリー
Fujicco Winery

高速沿いの小高い丘の上まで上がってくると、フジッコワイナリーがありました。

フジッコの昆布やお豆さんで有名なフジッコ食品経営のワイナリーです。さすが大手食品会社経営のワイナリーだけあって綺麗でモダンな工場。広くて明るいテイスティングルームには数多くのワインとゼリーなどのデザート類の試食も。でも、あまりワインの印象の深いはなかったかな。
Fjicco Winery is located on the top of the hill along the highway. 
The winery is owned by the big food company. The factory was large, clean and modern. The tasting room was large and bright and we could enjoy a wide variety of wines with some dessert and food. 

８．まるき葡萄酒
Marquis Winery

ここからは下り坂で楽ちん。
そして、まるき葡萄酒へ。こちらは1891年創業で、現存する日本最古のワイン醸造所という、古い歴史を持つワイナリーです。工場見学の時間は終わってたので、テイスティングルームでワインを試飲します。こちらも今回初めて知ったワイナリーでしたが、いろシリーズの甲州がとてもおいしかったです。
It was a nice downhills all the way from Fujicco Winery to Marquis Winery. So easy to walk.
They were the oldest existing winery founded on 1891. As the tour time was over, we taste the wines at the tasting room. That was the first time for me to know them, it was happy to know they produced high quality wines. Especially, I liked Koshu of 'Iro' series.

９．蒼龍葡萄酒
Soryu Winery

少し時間があったので、最後にシャトーメルシャンに寄ってみようと思い立ったものの、シャトーメルシャンすでにクローズ。本日最長ウォークの後でのどもカラカラ、キッズもお疲れ。途方に暮れそうになっていたところ、ふと、道を挟んだ向かいに蒼龍葡萄酒の看板を発見。そして、まだ開いてる！本日2件目のウォークイン。酒屋さんのような店内で、小さなプラカップで自由に試飲できる形式でした。こちらのワイナリーも甲州種のワインでかなり賞を受賞している実力派なワイナリーなはずですが、既にかなり試飲しているせいか、残念ながら印象に残るワインはなかったなぁ。次回、ちゃんと計画して来てみよう。
As there were some time left, we decided to visit Cheateau Mercian. However, unfortunately, Chateau Mercian was already closed. I were so tired and thirsty after the longest walk today that I could not think any alternatives anymore. Then, luckily, I found the sign board of Souryu winery at the opposite side of the road and they were still open!!! Let's walk in! Here, we could taste wines with a small plastic cup by self-service, so could not really enjoy the conversation with the staff. I had some wines, but I didn't have any impressions on their wines.It could be because I already had so many kinds of wines...  I should come back to them after planning next time.

本日、6ワイナリーの訪問を終え、今回はこれで終了。昨年からの合計だと10ワイナリーを訪ねたことになります。次はまた来年！（かな）
We visited 6 wineries and finished the trip today. Hope we can explore wineries in Katsunuma again when we come back to Japan next year. 

Japanese sake seminar in MIFB2016

Hello everybody!

I had a small seminar about Japanese Sake in Malaysian International Food & Beverage Trade Fair (MIFB2016) on 27-28 July 2016.
I had this opportunity due to the request from Japan Rice and Rice Industry Export Promotion Association (JRE) who was one of the exhibitor of MIFB2016 from Japan promoting Japanese rice and sake.

Although it was a short 30 min seminar, I could introduce "WHAT'S SAKE" including the ingredients, production methods, Sake types and how to enjoy for the visitors. The most of them have not been experienced sake before. I hoped they could have more interest on sake after my talk.

I also enjoyed to taste the premium sake and rice. Especially, The taste of Narutotai Ginjo Shiboritate Namagenshu (the sake in the right of the left picture) was new to me. It is a freshly pressed sake packed in aluminium can with very oily, nutty of full body sake, yet very fresh!!! 

Cheers!

International Kikisake-shi Certification Course (25-26 July 2016)

On 25-26 May 2016, I facilitated the first International Kikisake-shi Course in Singapore.

“International Kikisake-shi”  literally means "Sake Sommelier" that are the professionals certified by Sake Service Institute International Japan (SSI) who can properly advise, supply, and sell sake to customers around the world. There are about 1,000 certified professionals (as of June 2016) around the world.

I started working with SSI closely since September 2015 to prepare to facilitate the course in Singapore and could finally held the course this time.

The course was an intensive 2 days course for the participants to prepare the examination of International Kikisake-shi.

 I had 10 serious candidates to aim to be certified as International-Kikisake-shi. They are learning not only technical knowledge of sake or tasting method but also requirements as a kikisake-shi, basic profile of alcohol beverage in general and service as a kikisake-shi

Tasted 4 different types of sake based on aroma and flavor profiles by SSI method x 2 days.

In fact, it's challenging to find suitable sake for the course due to the limited supply in Singapore, but I could manage to select 4 different types of sake for 2 days.

After the 2 day course, the candidates will take the examination on 1 Aug 2016. Hope they are doing well, Good Luck!!

Kikisake-shi Summit 2016 in Taipei (Part1)

I went to Taipei to participate in Kikisake-shi Sumit 2016 (21/5/2016-23/05/2016) in Taipei.

I arrived in Taipei on 20/5/2016 to explore Taipei because it was the first time for me to visit there while the summit and the related activities started from 21/5/2016.

On 20 May, after about 5 hours flight to Taipei from Singapore....and long queue at the immigration..... and about 1 hour bus to the city central.....I finally had a lunch in the noodle shop near the hotel.

the first meal at Taipei was beef noodle (牛肉麺) and Taiwan beer! Yammyyyyy!!

After check in the hotel, heading for Jiufen (九份) . Initially, I planned to get there by a public bus, however gave up as soon as I saw the long queue waiting for the bus. So, I decided to use a group taxi that recruiting customers at the bus stop. I think this was a very good decision, no waste of time, faster and more comfortable but not so expensive (it was 200TWD vs 106 TWD for the bus) !!!

Jiufen used to be a gold mining mountain town, and the town today exists mainly as a tourist destination remembering and celebrating Taiwanese history and culture. This town is especially popular for Japanese tourist because of the anime called Spiritual Away from Studio Ghibli and the nostalgic atmosphere from both retro Chinese and Japanese style cafés, tea houses, and souvenir shops, as well as fantastic views of the ocean.

There were many small alleys in Jiufen, I felt I got lost.... and I nearly lost my way....  At that time, it was not so crowded, but......

After light up (though still not so dark... ) 

As everybody aim to come here after the lighting up, the road is soooo crowded and the move was very slow...

This building is the model of the house in "Spiritual Away"

After Jiufen, I dropped by Taipei 101 to see the night view. The view of Taipei 101 was much more nicer than the view from Taipei 101. In fact, I always think that the view of the tower is much nicer than the view from the tower.... So, no need to go up the tower.....

Taipei 101

Din Tai Fon at Taipei 101 was so crowded, so I gave up to have dinner there. Instead, just took away the food from small shop on the way to the hotel. I enjoyed walking around Jiufen and Taipei. But I was so tired that I needed to take a rest now to prepare the main event starting from the next day. Good night!

Dinner - Soup noodle with beer!

The first Sake Navigators were certified !!!

It's been 2 months that I held the first Sake Navigator course in Singapore back in 14 May 2016 at Wine Language Singapore.
Sake Navigator is a junior certification of Kikisake-shi in Sake Service Institute Japan (SSI) aiming to spread an awareness and understanding of sake.

A special hand made textbook

The course is 4 hours intensive course specially designed to obtain the basic knowledge of sake and will be certified as Sake Navigator (日本酒ナビゲーター） from Sake Service Institute Japan with the successful completion of the course.

I had 5 serious candidates at that time and all got certified!!!!
2 of them, then, decided to go for the advanced level certification, Certified International Kikisake-shi (a.k.a. Sake Sommelier). Actually, this is a perfect prep course of the Kikisake-shi course.

Enjoyed 5 different types of sake

Echizenmisaki Junmaiginjo (Tanabe Shuzo, Fukui)

Koshijifubuki Gokkan-jikomi (Takano Shuzo, Niigata)

Puchi Puchi (Suehiro Shuzo, Fukushima) - Sparkling

Zuiyo Hojun Junmai-shu (Zuiyo Co, Kumamoto)

Junmai Ginjo Yamahai (Tamanohikari, Kyoto)

I do enjoy introducing wonderful sake world. Next course will be held soon. Stay tuned!

Hanami-zake (花見酒) - sake with viewing cherry blossom

It has been a long time since I enjoyed Hanami (viewing sakura) last time.
Thanks to Gardens by the Bay who imported cherry blossoms to Singapore, I could enjoy sakura viewing even in Singapore during Blossom Beats which was a limited-time only floral display happening at the Flower Dome. The temperature of the dome were 100% controlled to bloom during the event.

​​

“Hanami (or Sakura, the cherry blossom, viewing)” is the Japanese traditional custom that has continued relatively unchanged since about the eighth century. Friends and family get together under sakura trees in city parks for parties to enjoy the view.

 “Hanami at night (or Sakura viewing at night)” is called “Yozakura” and it’s a unique practice cherry. The pale pink blossoms shining in the darkness at night is also beautiful.

 ​Sake drinking with Hanami is called “Hanami-zake”. People in any era since the 8th century have enjoyed sake while view sakura. It might be an original landscape that was deeply imprinted in the hearts of Japanese. Enjoy your favorite sake with beautiful cherry blossoms.

Unfortunately, we could not drink sake in the Flower Dome, but hopefully we can do hanami-zake some day even in Singapore!

Shirosake(白酒) for Hinamatsuri

March 3 is Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival or Girl’s Festival), when people prays the happiness and healthy grows of girls. Families with girls display dolls in the house together with peach blossoms. They offer rice crackers and other food to the dolls. On Hina Matsuri, sweet sake is drunken and chirashi sushi is eaten.

 

 

The sweet sake is called Shirosak(白酒)- low alcohol (around 10%) for adults or Amazake(甘酒) – less than 1% or non-alcoholic beverage for children. It is thick, and looks a bit like yoghurt, though the texture and thickness can vary.

This year, I celebrated Hinamatsuri with home-made chirashi sushi and Tengumai Nigorizake instead of shirosake. (Although the color is white, nigorizake is different from Shirosake.)

Enjoy!

 

Tengumai Yamahai Nigorizake

天狗舞　山廃にごり酒

Kurumada Shuzo (Ishikawa Prefecture)

車多酒造(石川県)

 

Limited seasonal product (Winter only)

SMV: -15

Acid Level: 1.2

Seimaibuai: 65%

Alcoholic degree: 13%

Price: JPY945/720ml (in Japan)

 

Tasting Notes:

It has a subtle sweetness originated  from rice, silky taxture, and rich flavor with full of umami due to yamahai jikomi, but has a refreshing aftertaste which you never feel heavy. It is sweet in SMV (-15), but I would say drier than other nigorizake. It can be enjoy with majority of Japanese dishes. 

Nanakusagayu(七草粥) - Rice porridge with 7 herbs

There is a custom to eat Nanakusagayu on 7th  January in Japan.

Nanakusagayu is a rice porridge with 7 spring herbs, i.e. seri, nazuna, gyou, hakobera, hotokenoza, suzuna, suzushiro. It is said the tradition to eat nanakusagayu started during Heian period (around the 8th century) with a wish of good health. It is also eaten to rest stomach after a big meal during the New Year’s celebration.

 

 

 

Nowadays, there is a packet of 7 herbs for nanakusagayu that is easily purchased at any supermarket in Japan. Some supermarkets, e.g. Isetan or Meidiya, in Singapore also sell it, but I couldn’t get it this year because it was all sold out. It is surprising because eating nanakusagayu is also a traditional event which is lesser and lesser popular in a present day in Japan. Are Japanese staying overseas more traditional than ones in Japan???

Wishing you good health!!!

Toso(屠蘇) - sake for the New Year's Day

A Happy New Year 2016!

 

How do you celebrate the New Year's Day?

I usually have a small celebration with my family at home with a traditional Japanese new year dishes called 'Osechi(お節)' and a sake. This year, I specially made and had a traditional New Year's sake called “Toso (屠蘇)”.

Toso is considered to be medicinal sake and the origin of liqueur in Japan. It is drunk during the three days after the New Year’s Day with the belief that eliminate evil and the wish of longevity and good luck. The tradition to drink Toso in the New Year's Day is an important culture and custom in Japan continuing from the Heian period (around the 8th century) after it was introduced from China. Toso is made by soaking 5-10 kinds of herbs and spices which prevent sickness during the cold seasons in sake and/or mirin(sake for seasoning). Nowadays, there is blended powder called toso-san (屠蘇散)  for Toso that is easily purchased.

However, the custom to make and drink Toso is lesser and lesser popular in Japan, especially for younger generation. In a modern era, a sake labelled ‘Omiki’ is sold for the New Year’s Day and it is much popular. In fact, this is the first time for even me to make/drink Toso for the New Year’s Day!!!

May this year brings you all happiness! Kanpai!!!