I want to give Japanese wine to someone special.
"CRAFT WINE SHOP" offers a wide selection of Japanese wines perfect for such people.
This time, what "CRAFT WINE SHOP" wants to recommend is Japanese wine recommended as a gift for wine beginners and women.
Introducing vibrant and easy-to-drink orange wine, and sweet wine with just the right sweetness that broadens pairing options.
Of course, the quality is also appreciated by wine connoisseurs, so please consider it as a reference for gifts.
Easy-to-drink wine is recommended as a gift
When it comes to gifts that please those who love alcohol, wine is the choice.
Among them, Japanese wine is a category that has been gaining attention in recent years and can be said to be an ideal gift for women with high sensitivity.
The charm of such Japanese wine is, above all, that it is easy to drink even for beginners.
With a gorgeous yet modest and elegant aroma, soft texture, and acidity and tannins that are not too powerful, it is also recommended for wine beginners.
However, just as there are various types of wine, it cannot be said that all “Japanese wines” are of the same direction as described above.
Some wine beginners and women seeking easy-to-drink wines may find serious dry wines that win awards at competitions or trendy natural wines “difficult.”
Furthermore, when you want cuteness and brilliance in appearance, you will surely be puzzled about which Japanese wine to choose.
Therefore, this time at “CRAFT WINE SHOP,” we have prepared the following two types of Japanese wine recommended for wine beginners and women.
- Easy-to-drink orange wine
- Sweet wines with an attractive refined sweetness
These wines are new releases in CruX's original popular series “THANKS, LOVE.”
Let's briefly explain each.
Easy-to-drink orange wine
Orange wine, which has recently attracted attention as one of the global wine trends.
Orange wine does not use oranges as an ingredient; it is a type of white wine whose color turns orange due to a different brewing process than typical white wine.
The category of orange wine itself has appeared recently, but its production method is believed to have originated in Georgia, said to be the birthplace of wine.
After placing all the grape skins, seeds, and pulp into an unglazed clay vessel called a Qvevri and burying it underground for fermentation, a distinctive amber-colored wine is produced even though it is a white wine.
Modern orange wine is based on the above-mentioned Qvevri method, where white grape skins and seeds are fermented together, resulting in a white wine with an “orange” appearance called orange wine that is available on the market.
The characteristic of orange wine is undoubtedly its gorgeous orange appearance.
This unique color, neither red, white, nor rosé, uplifts the mood.
Additionally, since the grape skins are also included in the fermentation, the wine features aromatic scents derived from the skins, which is another characteristic.
The aroma of white peach, white flowers, vanilla, orange peel, and apricot, with a mellow flavor that combines moderate bitterness and astringency, results in a sophisticated taste.
Although there is astringency and bitterness, it is only felt faintly and should be considered an important element that gives texture to the wine.
The production method of orange wine is unique, but it is aromatic and easy to drink, making it a category that even wine beginners can enjoy without resistance.
Pairings are wide-ranging, and it goes excellently with fermented foods, seafood, and charcuterie such as ham.
Surprisingly recommended is noodle soup base, which pairs well with zaru soba, allowing you to enjoy a unique marriage with Japanese wine.
CruX (Crux) / THANKS, LOVE ORANGE
From the popular series "THANKS, LOVE," an orange wine has appeared.
A bottle with an elegant plant design, a heart in the center, and a lovely orange-pink color label design.
Using Muscat Bailey A, Shine Muscat, Pione, and Koshu from Yamanashi Prefecture as raw materials, it is finished with a technical brewing method combining tradition and innovation by fermenting with skins in stainless steel tanks and Georgian earthenware amphorae, the birthplace of wine.
It has a beautiful, shining orange appearance, aromas of orange peel, floral notes, and white peach, and is a fruity and easy-to-drink orange wine with a slight residual sugar sensation.
Recommended pairings include oyster gratin, pork sautéed with a sweet sauce, and salads made with octopus, squid, and shellfish.
It also pairs well with vibrant salads made with plenty of fruits and cheese.
It is a gorgeous and fruity wine, which would be a pleasing choice for women and wine beginners.
CruX (Crux) / THANKS, LOVE ORANGE
Including tax 1,980 yen
Click here to purchase!
Sweet wines with an attractive refined sweetness
For wine beginners and women, sweet wine gifts are also recommended.
However, choose refined sweet wines that do not have a cloying sweetness from added sugar.
First, sweet wine is wine that is produced and bottled by stopping fermentation midway during the brewing process, leaving residual sugar in the wine.
Alcoholic fermentation in wine is the process where yeast breaks down the sugar in the wine into alcohol and carbon dioxide, and usually, the fermentation ends when the yeast consumes all the sugar.
Naturally, since no sugar remains in the wine, the resulting wine is dry. (Dry)
On the other hand, sweet wine is made by stopping the yeast activity during alcoholic fermentation, so the sugar is not completely consumed by the yeast, leaving residual sugar in the wine and making it sweet.
However, when making high-quality sweet wine, it is necessary to use grapes with high sugar content as raw materials.
Therefore, many sweet wines use grapes that are late-harvested, noble rot grapes affected by Botrytis cinerea, frozen on the vine, or grapes with sugar content several times higher than those used for dry wines.
On the other hand, producers are making efforts to obtain raw materials with high sugar content through various methods, not only by naturally increasing the sugar content of grapes as mentioned above, but also by drying harvested grapes in the sun.
A high-quality sweet wine is characterized not only by its mellow mouthfeel and the enjoyment of the grape's natural sweetness but also by its complex elements such as fruit and floral aromas and sharp acidity.
While feeling sweetness, it also has elements of a sharp dry wine, making it surprisingly compatible with food and easy to pair with spicy dishes such as ethnic cuisine.
Of course, it is also excellent on its own or paired with sweets.
It should be a gift that pleases not only wine beginners and women but also wine connoisseurs.
CruX (Kryux)/THANKS, LOVE PREMIUM SWEET
A sweet wine from the popular series "THANKS, LOVE," luxuriously prepared.
The label color based on gold and the contrast with blue give a gorgeous impression, making it a perfect visual for gifts.
The taste of "THANKS, LOVE PREMIUM SWEET" is extremely sweet.
This is a bottle made by concentrating high-quality Koshu from Yamanashi Prefecture using a method called frozen juice preparation, luxuriously using three times the grapes of a typical dry wine, making it a 'premium' sweet wine.
Furthermore, it is not filtered or treated with tartaric acid, allowing you to directly enjoy the taste of the original sake, which is also a key point.
The deep golden color appearance gives a luxurious impression.
A rich aroma condensed with tropical fruits and a soft fruit scent are also characteristic.
An elegant sweet wine that, despite being extremely sweet, also has a sharp acidity.
Not only sweets like cakes and scones, but also pairs well with spicy dishes such as Chinese and ethnic cuisine, making it usable in a wide range of situations.
It is a rich gift that is appreciated by wine beginners and women.
CruX (Kryux)/THANKS, LOVE PREMIUM SWEET
Including tax, 6,600 yen
Click here to purchase!
Summary
Japanese wine is a recommended gift for those who love alcohol.
The two introduced this time are the fruity, floral, and easy-to-drink orange wine "CruX/THANKS, LOVE ORANGE" and the exquisite sweet wine "CruX/THANKS, LOVE PREMIUM SWEET."
The label is cute, and while the contents are authentic, it is easy to drink and packed with the charm of Japanese wine, making it a recommended wine.
Why not try using it as a gift for someone special?