The biggest event in December is “Christmas.”
Many people may already be planning what to do this Christmas.
Now, while Christmas is a fun time, choosing gifts can surprisingly be a headache.
This time, “CRAFT WINE SHOP” has carefully selected exquisite Japanese wines perfect for Christmas gifts. We introduce recommended Japanese wines that brighten the Christmas season. If you are struggling to choose a Christmas gift, please use this as a reference.
Reasons why Japanese wine is recommended as a Christmas gift
There are many kinds of Christmas gifts, but if you are giving to a partner, family member, acquaintance, or friend who loves alcohol or gourmet food, “special alcohol” is sure to be appreciated.
When you think of “special alcohol,” you might imagine high-end sake, shochu, whiskey, limited craft beer, or expensive foreign wine, but “Japanese wine” should not be forgotten. In recent years, the quality of Japanese wine has reached a level recognized worldwide, and more wineries are winning prestigious awards at international wine competitions. Let’s explain below why you should choose Japanese wine as a Christmas gift.
Rare Japanese wine has a special feeling
Christmas is one of the most special events of the year. Many people prepare “feasts” different from their usual meals and spend special time with loved ones, friends, or even just themselves. If there is an item that enhances this “extraordinary” atmosphere, it is definitely special alcohol. Japanese wine is a rare drink with limited production, and when it is a wine crafted with care by the producer, it has a rarity level that makes it difficult to obtain. When wine lovers gather and a rare Japanese wine that is usually hard to get appears, it’s sure to liven up the occasion even more. If you give such Japanese wine as a gift to someone who loves alcohol or wine, it will surely be appreciated. Just imagining the smile of the recipient will make you feel happy.
Easy to pair with Christmas dinner
When it comes to Christmas, it’s all about a luxurious dinner. From Christmas-typical dishes like hors d’oeuvres (Western and Chinese style), roast chicken, roast beef, meatloaf, and cheese platters, to sushi, luxurious sashimi assortments, and A5-grade meat for shabu-shabu or sukiyaki, winter delicacies gather in one place. Wine is often thought to be difficult to pair with food, but the charm of Japanese wine is that it can be paired with a wide range of dishes. Japanese wine is generally “food-friendly,” so it pairs effortlessly with various cuisines, whether Japanese, Western, or Chinese. This is because it expresses the characteristics of the grape varieties clearly while being delicate, complex, and subtly flavored. The wine’s individuality stands out but doesn’t overpower, maintaining a well-balanced profile that brings out the best in the food. For example, even if you enjoy BYO (bring your own) at a Japanese or Chinese restaurant, Japanese wine offers a safe and attractive pairing option. Of course, it also has enough quality to be enjoyed on its own, making it a great companion for post-meal conversations. If you tell someone who receives Japanese wine as a gift that it pairs well with any dish, it won’t be a burden for them and will likely leave a “good impression.”
Easy to drink even for wine beginners, so you can feel at ease
The quality of Japanese wine has been improving year by year, but it remains elegant and easy to drink. Many people like alcohol but don’t drink much wine, or dislike red wine, and there are many voices saying that even though they received expensive wine as a gift, it was actually hard to drink. The charm of Japanese wine lies in its fragrant, pure, and delicate nature, making it easy to accept even for those not used to drinking wine regularly. Not only those who usually enjoy foreign wines, but also fans of sake, shochu, whiskey, or beer can smoothly find Japanese wine delicious, making it a convenient choice as a gift. Also, if someone who receives Japanese wine as a gift discovers its deliciousness and becomes a fan, there is no greater joy. For those who don’t know much about Japanese wine, why not try giving it as a Christmas gift?
CWS Recommendations! 3 Japanese Wines Perfect for Christmas Gifts!
If you want to give alcohol as a Christmas gift, please consider Japanese wine. Here, we introduce three Japanese wines recommended by "CRAFT WINE SHOP" as Christmas gifts. These exquisite Japanese wines will brighten your special day. Please use this as a reference for your Christmas gift this year.
Hiroshima Miyoshi Winery / TOMOE Chardonnay New Moon 2023
Brewed by Hiroshima Miyoshi Winery, a representative of the Chugoku region, the 'TOMOE Chardonnay New Moon 2023' uses 100% grapes from Miyoshi. Part of the TOMOE series, it uses only carefully selected grapes from contracted vineyards, trained on trellises with yield restrictions to increase concentration. The Chardonnay is fermented in French oak barrels and then aged. The rich taste is created through meticulous processes including malolactic fermentation, sur lie aging, and frequent batonnage, giving a special feeling to your Christmas moment. This exquisite wine blends the fruitiness of grapes from old vines with the flavor of the barrels. It is a top-quality Chardonnay that surpasses even overseas Chardonnays and represents Japan.
Hiroshima Miyoshi Winery / TOMOE Chardonnay New Moon 2023
Including tax, 6,600 yen
More details about the wine here
Camel Farm Winery / Pinot Noir Private Reserve 2021
Camel Farm Winery, a popular winery in Yoichi, Hokkaido, a wine region gaining worldwide recognition. The 'Pinot Noir Private Reserve 2021' is made from carefully selected Pinot Noir grapes harvested from the highest quality plots and aged in small barrels, expressing the terroir of Yoichi in the bottle. Its sweet, rich, and elegant aroma of cherries and raspberries, like a compote, is perfect for Christmas night. Nuances of rose and maraschino cherry, cherry chocolate from the barrel, leather, spices, and minerals create a complex flavor comparable to world-class Pinot Noirs. The tannins are smooth, and the finish is long—truly a grand cru-level wine. This Pinot Noir combines various elements in perfect balance and features the elegant character typical of Japanese wine. Its delicate taste pairs well not only with Western dishes but also with Japanese and Chinese cuisine, so you won’t have to worry about matching it with your Christmas dinner.
Camel Farm Winery / Pinot Noir Private Reserve 2021
Including tax: 9,680 yen
More details about the wine here
Vinoble Vineyard / Semillon Sparkling 2024
Vinoble Vineyard in Miyoshi, Hiroshima Prefecture, a winery now attracting global attention.
This popular winery produces grand vins that maximize the quality of the grape variety, and some of their wines are hard to obtain. The 'Semillon Sparkling 2024' is a sparkling wine made from Semillon grapes grown in their own vineyard in Ota Saiwai-cho, Miyoshi City. Sparkling wine is a classic choice for Christmas, and Japanese sparkling wines are approachable yet high quality, making them ideal gifts. It undergoes low-temperature fermentation, one month of tank aging after alcoholic fermentation, secondary fermentation in the bottle, and an additional six months of bottle aging before release. This well-balanced wine features soft bubbles, a rich body from the Semillon grapes, and aromas of minerals, citrus, pear, and yeast-derived toast.
Furthermore, the winery’s 'Semillon Sparkling' back vintage has won awards at the Wajyu Awards. Having received the highest honor, the Platinum Award, its quality is fully guaranteed.
Why not choose Japan’s finest sparkling wine as a gift to beautifully enhance your Christmas moment?
Vinoble Vineyard / Semillon Sparkling 2024
Including tax: 5,000 yen
More details about the wine here
Summary
Because it’s Christmas, you want to give a special gift that’s different from the usual to someone important.
Among them, Japanese wine is easy to drink even for beginners, has a special feel, and pairs well with a wide range of dishes, making it perfect for a Christmas gift.
Why not consider giving CWS's recommended Japanese wine as a Christmas gift this year?
