Apr. 13
It was the third day in Kansai.
At first, I visited to Hakutsuru, which is the largest sake brewery, in Nada Kobe.
After I had a meeting with board member, I saw their sake museum.
The old building use to be a sake cellar, which was one the largest sake cellar in Japan 100 years ago.
I was interested in the old sake making.
Then I went to Kobe Winery with stuff of Hakutsuru.
I participated in the kickoff meeting of Kobe Winery and Hakutsuru collaboration project.
The theme is that sake brewers try to grow grape vines and produce wine.
I was brought on the member of the project as consultant.
We had a lecture about Kobe Winery at first.
The winery is established in 1979, owned by Kobe City
They produce about 360,000 bottles of wine from their estate vineyards, about 40ha, in Kobe.
They grow Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Shinano Riesling, etc.
Benediction Rouge, the top cuvee of the winery, was served to the dinner party of G20 Summit Osaka 2019.
Then we chose the grape vines for the project at their old Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard.
We put the oyster shell powder on the vineyard.
I became white.
Then we moved to Chardonnay vineyards and chose grape vines, too.
We had a lecture from Mr. Hagiwara, who is a master grape grower.
I was surprised at seeing a lot of old vines are very well organized.
Also I got a wonderful view from the vineyards.
Then we went back to the cellar and had a tasting party of Kobe wine.
Every wine was very interesting, especially I admired the quality of Benediction Rouge and Blanc.
I enjoyed the kickoff event today.
I am looking forward to joining in the project very much.
Thank you very much!
I took a Shinkansen Train from Shin-Kobe and went back home.
I tasted a bottle of Misiones d Rengo rose imported by Hakutsuru and Kakinoha Sushi on the train.
They were very nice.
Very good job!
