Kazama Koshu Dry

ABOUT

The Kazama Koshu Dry is the winery's flagship wine and the expression that best represents its philosophy: bringing out 100% of the inherent charm of the Koshu grape with minimal intervention. The "Kazama" in the name references the founding family, linking the wine directly to the 190-year history of the Kazama estate. It is described by the winery as their "standard dry white wine" — but standard here means the sincere, confident expression of a terroir. The 2023 vintage was, in the winery's own words, "perhaps the best vintage of the past decade" — a year blessed with little rain and good weather that concentrated both aroma and sweetness in the Koshu grapes beyond the usual. The wine is produced in small batches, pressed from grapes harvested at different ripening stages for complexity, then fermented slowly at low temperature with multiple yeast strains. One winter in stainless steel on the lees before bottling gives additional texture and roundness.

AROMA & TASTE

Pale straw to pale gold in colour, with the faintest pink blush characteristic of the Koshu grape's pink-skinned berries. On the nose: delicate and semi-aromatic, with notes of yuzu, pink grapefruit, white peach, jasmine, and a gentle green-apple freshness. A hint of minerality from the volcanic soils of Koshu City. On the palate: crisp and clean, with refreshing acidity and light body. The flavour is precise and restrained — citrus, lemon zest, white peach, and a clean mineral finish. The winery's low-temperature fermentation preserves the delicate aromatic compound 3 mercaptohexanol (3MH), a thiol also found in Sauvignon Blanc that contributes grapefruit and passionfruit character. Simple, elegant, and endlessly food-friendly. An ideal accompaniment to sushi, sashimi, tempura, seafood, tofu, and light Japanese and Asian cuisine.