In recent years, high-quality wines have begun to be produced in regions once considered unsuitable for grape cultivation.
Among them, "Tsuno Wine," located in Tsuno Town, Miyazaki Prefecture, is a prestigious winery producing world-class wines, known to all Japanese wine fans.
At "CRAFT WINE SHOP," we have stocked the "Private Reserve Albariño 2023" crafted by Tsuno Wine.
Let’s introduce the charm of "Private Reserve Albariño 2023" and what kind of winery Tsuno Wine is.
Tsuno Town and Tsuno Wine
Tsuno Wine is a winery located in Tsuno Town, Koyu District, Miyazaki Prefecture.
Founded in 1996 by Seiji Akao, it is a popular winery producing high-quality wines focused on grapes grown in Tsuno Town, Miyazaki Prefecture.
Tsuno Wine has become a leading name in Japan, winning awards not only at domestic wine competitions but also at the world’s largest wine competition, the Decanter World Wine Awards. On their own vineyards, they cultivate a wide variety of grapes including Campbell Early, Muscat Bailey A, Koshu, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Albariño, and Sauvignon Blanc, expressing the unique taste of "Tsuno."
Given Tsuno Wine’s brilliant history, many might assume Tsuno Town enjoys a luxurious environment ideal for grape cultivation.
However, it is said that establishing today’s Tsuno Wine involved great hardships.
The birth of Osuzu grapes
To understand the history of Tsuno Wine, it is necessary to know about Osuzu grapes.
Tsuno, where the Osuzu mountain range meets the Hyuga-nada Sea.
In 1953, a man named "Eitomo Hyakuni," who believed in the potential of this land and aimed for prosperous agriculture beyond rice farming, opened a pear orchard at age 19, beginning the story of Osuzu grapes.
In Tsuno, where heavy rain made fruit cultivation difficult, planting trees in rice paddies drew criticism from the community.
However, Hyakuni’s pears, developed with guidance from agricultural experiment stations and fruit horticulture journals, were highly regarded, winning awards at the National Pear Competition hosted by Tokyo University of Agriculture.
After succeeding in pear cultivation, Hyakuni next focused on grapes just after the war.
In 1953, the first Kyoho was planted in Tsuno, and records show that Kato-ba and Campbell grape wines were also produced.
Five years later, Hyakuni’s Kyoho achieved commercial success, and the number of grape farmers in Tsuno increased.
Although the harsh environment for grape cultivation remained unchanged, Tsuno increased grape production and finally created the grape variety "Osuzu," a cross between Kyoho and Super Hamburg.
The dream pursued by one young man and the people of Tsuno who have carried on that spirit and continued to weave that dream.
Today’s Tsuno Wine continues the spirit of "Eitomo Hyakuni" and weaves a new future for Tsuno.
Grape cultivation and winemaking at Tsuno Wine
After the establishment of a special investigation team for wine raw materials in Tsuno Town in 1988, Tsuno Wine opened in Tsuno Town on November 15, 1996, eight years later.
Currently, the factory director and board member is Mr. Seiji Akao, born in Minami Town, Miyazaki Prefecture. He joined the Tsuno Town Office as a wine technician, engaged in grape cultivation and winemaking from age 18, trained in winemaking in Australia in 2006, became deputy factory manager of Tsuno Wine the same year, and has served as factory director since 2016.
Mr. Akao, who says, “Wine that pairs with ingredients grown on Japanese soil should be Japanese wine. We make wine that pairs with Chicken Nanban made from chickens raised in Miyazaki,” is known as one of Japan’s leading winemakers.
Tsuno Wine’s commitment lies in its unique grape cultivation. Tsuno’s soil mainly consists of volcanic ash soil called "Kuroboku," which lacks minerals like calcium and magnesium. Tsuno Wine builds soil health using compost. Rather than blindly following the belief that "grapes grow best in poor soil," they create healthy, original soil suited to this land.
Furthermore, they thoroughly select grape varieties suited to the soil and continue to explore varieties adapted to Tsuno’s climate and terroir. Instead of following conventional training methods, they imitate local grape growers to express Tsuno’s terroir through grape cultivation. They also rigorously tailor aging and winemaking methods to the grapes, pursuing various styles even with the same grape variety to maximize the quality of each harvest.
Despite the heavy rainfall in Tsuno, Tsuno Wine cultivates grapes organically and determines harvest timing by field, making wine while communicating with the grapes.
“There’s no way to cultivate grapes here.” Yet, in Tsuno, wines highly regarded worldwide are being produced. “Wine is a story and a drink to enjoy.” Tsuno Wine reminds us of this.
Tsuno Wine / Private Reserve Albariño 2023
One recommended bottle from "CRAFT WINE SHOP" is the "Private Reserve Albariño 2023."
Albariño is the main grape variety of the prestigious northern Spanish wine region 'Rías Baixas D.O.', known for its fresh, mineral, and umami-rich white wines.
This grape variety has thick skins and disease resistance, making it popular in Japan as it grows relatively well even in regions with heavy rainfall. In its native Rías Baixas, it is also notable for being grown on trellises.
Albariño is a relatively new grape variety cultivated by Tsuno Wine, and it is expected to continue evolving.
The "Private Reserve Albariño 2023" offers a glamorous and aromatic impression reminiscent of honey and yellow flowers. It features complex aromas including scents of black tea, forest, earth, fallen leaves, and grape skins. The tropical notes that emerge when swirling highlight the characteristic Albariño style. True to its reputation as a wine of the sea, it delivers concentrated fruit flavors along with a moderate saltiness, sharp acidity, and subtle bitterness that create elegance. It has a long finish and offers an enjoyable sense of maturity.
This Japanese white wine pairs well not only with Chicken Nanban but also with all kinds of seafood.
Please give it a try.
Tsuno Wine / Private Reserve Albariño 2023
3,960 yen (tax included)
More details about the wine here
Summary
Tsuno Wine preserves the "Tsuno grape cultivation" inherited from the passion of predecessors and modeled after local grape farmers.
We continue to produce wines that cherish the terroir expressing the land and vintage. "Private Reserve Albariño 2023" is a white wine from Tsuno Wine that you should enjoy now.
Why not enjoy it paired with delicious Japanese ingredients, including local cuisine from Miyazaki?
