Refreshing and comfortable autumn has arrived. Many of you might be spending your weekend time leisurely.
This time, "CRAFT WINE SHOP" has gathered some special Japanese wines to brighten your autumn weekends. Perfect not only with reward foods but also as companions for reading, watching movies, or listening to music. Enjoy these recommended Japanese wines that will turn your autumn weekends into a little luxury.
What kind of special wine do you want to drink on the weekend?
After a busy weekday filled with to-do lists, the enjoyable weekend awaits. To relax your tired mind and body, you might enjoy meals and chats with close friends, immerse yourself in hobbies, or simply take it easy doing nothing at all—cherishing moments that help you forget the weekday fatigue.
Now that the summer heat has passed and you can finally relax, it’s a great time to enjoy a slightly luxurious weekend. Whether it’s spending quality time with a loved one over delicious food, leisurely enjoying the clear autumn sky, or indulging in reading, music, or art, a special Japanese wine suits these autumn weekend moments perfectly.
Here are some Japanese wines we recommend for your autumn weekend.
A Slightly Premium Sparkling Wine
When it comes to wines that lift your spirits, sparkling wine is definitely the one. The bubbles rising from the glass, the vibrant aromas of fruit, flowers, and herbs, the gentle fizz, and the pleasant smoothness all create a special feeling. Did you know that sparkling wines are actually made using various production methods?
- Méthode Traditionnelle (Secondary Fermentation in the Bottle)
- Charmat Method
- Transfer Method
- Carbon Dioxide Injection Method
- Cuvée Method
All wines made by these methods are sparkling wines, but they differ in taste, aroma, and aging potential. Each method has its merits, but premium sparkling wines tend to be made using the méthode traditionnelle. Also known as the "Champagne method" or "Traditional method," this technique has been traditionally used in the Champagne region, the birthplace of sparkling wine. Although it requires time and effort, it often results in high-quality wines capable of long-term aging. While priced higher than casual sparkling wines, the méthode traditionnelle guarantees superior quality in terms of bubble persistence, aromatic richness, complexity, and length of finish. For a luxurious autumn weekend, we recommend sparkling wines made with this slightly more indulgent méthode traditionnelle.
Here is a Japanese wine recommended by CWS, made using the méthode traditionnelle (secondary fermentation in the bottle).
Tanba Wine / Kyoto Tanba Traditional 2017
The Japanese-style label design adds a special touch to this sparkling wine from Tanba Wine. At under 5,000 yen, it offers excellent cost performance for this quality.
The grapes used in "Kyoto Tanba Traditional 2017" mainly consist of 15% Pinot Blanc, 10% Trebbiano, and 10% Chardonnay, totaling 26 varieties. All grapes are grown in Kyoto Tanba. This luxurious bottle is made using the traditional méthode traditionnelle (secondary fermentation in the bottle), and the 2017 vintage offers an elegant flavor developed through long-term aging. It features the yeasty aroma of bread and fresh citrus scents brought by extended maturation. The bubbles poured into the glass are surprisingly fine, and the refreshing acidity is also appealing. With its gentle and elegant taste typical of Japanese wine, it’s easy to enjoy not only for wine connoisseurs but also for beginners. It pairs well with a wide range of dishes, especially Japanese cuisine, making it perfect for an autumn weekend brunch.
Tanba Wine / Kyoto Tanba Traditional 2017
4,180 yen (tax included)
More details about the wine here
Carefully Selected Premium Wine
If you're looking for wine to brighten up your autumn weekends, we definitely recommend a carefully selected premium wine that's a bit different from the usual. While there are various types of premium wines, during the mild autumn season—not too hot or too cold—you'll naturally crave red wine. Among them, to evoke the feeling of autumn, try choosing an elegant and supple full-bodied red wine rather than an overly powerful full-bodied one.
Japanese red wines are gaining global recognition, and a common feature is their “elegance.” Rather than being intensely aromatic and fruit-explosive, many wines tend to emphasize expressing the “terroir,” valuing the unique characteristics of their region.
However, to create wines that express terroir, it is essential to thoroughly understand the land, harvest healthy grapes, and apply advanced winemaking techniques to maximize their potential. Therefore, wines like those mentioned above are often made as the winery’s top cuvées and come with a high price. In return, the wine embodies the winery’s philosophy and offers a unique, complex character unlike any other.
Also, white wines with a refreshing image are perfect for autumn weekends if they have volume from barrel aging. Using carefully selected grapes, these barrel-aged white wines are aromatic, creamy, and finished with rich fruit sweetness and barrel notes. Naturally, these are premium lines for the winery, often made as top cuvées, giving them a special status.
The charm of premium wines lies not only in their deliciousness but also in enjoying the dedication and story behind the wine. On a special autumn weekend, it’s ideal to savor a premium wine slowly by the glass.
Here are two carefully selected luxurious Japanese wines recommended by CWS.
Fujicler Winery / Momochi Akeno Syrah 2023
Fujicler Winery is a long-established winery with over 60 years of history.
The "Momochi" series is a special line where the winery adopts an advanced approach to winemaking. It uses only high-quality Syrah grapes carefully cultivated in their own vineyard in Akeno, Hokuto City. It features natural winemaking methods such as wild yeast fermentation, no added sugar, no acidification, no filtration, and non-heat pasteurization. This wine is crafted with a balance of fruitiness and barrel aroma, full-bodied yet with a pure elegance. The simple black bottle and label have a sleek, modern design, giving it a luxurious presence. It is a special red wine that offers the elegance, suppleness, and complexity unique to Japanese wine.
Fujicler Winery / Momochi Akeno Syrah 2023
8,800 yen (tax included)
More details about the wine here
Kusunoki Winery / Chardonnay Barrel-Aged Special Cuvée 2020
Chardonnay carefully crafted by Kusunoki Winery, a popular winery in Suzaka City, Nagano Prefecture. Fully ripened Chardonnay grapes are destemmed, crushed, and pressed, then after debourbage, the juice is fermented in stainless steel tanks. After that, it is barrel-aged for about a year. Moreover, only barrels that matured well and developed unique characteristics were selected and blended before bottling, which is another point of dedication. As the name suggests, this is Kusunoki Winery’s proud “Special Cuvée.”
By the way, wines named "Special Cuvée" are not released every year; they are tasted just before release after bottle aging to determine if they qualify as Special Cuvée. This is a top-tier Chardonnay that is rich yet delicate and elegant, with firm acidity and mineral notes.
Kusunoki Winery / Chardonnay Barrel-Aged Special Cuvée 2020
11,110 yen (tax included)
More details about the wine here
Summary
Many people probably want to spend a relaxing and special adult time on an autumn weekend. At such times, a slightly special Japanese wine is recommended. This time, we introduced a sparkling wine made by the labor-intensive méthode traditionnelle, a premium red wine full of dedication, and a carefully barrel-aged Chardonnay. Whether paired with meals or enjoyed alone, for reading, listening to music, or appreciating art, you can be sure to have a fulfilling and versatile time.
If you are looking for wine for an autumn weekend, please use this as a reference.
