Katsunuma Jyozo, Aruga Branca Issehara Koshu, Yamanashi, Japan 2023

Founded in 1937, Katsunuma Jozo became one of the first Japanese producers to export its wines to the EU through a partnership with Château Pape Clément. Its flagship wine, Aruga Branca Issehara is a single-vineyard Koshu sourced from sandy soils. The 2023 vintage features a smoky, grassy nose of green fruits and gooseberry. Aged in stainless steel tanks, it highlights the saline and mineral qualities of Koshu, with elegant and subtle lime and green zest. Clean and refreshing.

The 2023 was picked in mid-September from the sandy, riverside Issehara vineyard, where vines are trained in the traditional X-shape pergola. Water-white in colour, it boasts thyme, asparagus and rosemary on the nose, underpinned by passion fruit. Green fruits with polished salinity on the palate lead to a gentle touch of white spice on the crisp finish. A distinctively aromatic take on the Koshu grape. Drink it while it's fresh.