Koshu grape is a hybrid white wine grape variety with pink skin, which had travelled from Caspian Sea Coast through Silk Road to Japan more than 1,000 years ago and consequently it settled and grown for long time in Japan. Koshu is considered as a signature grape variety and it was registered the O.I.V (International Organisation of Vine and Wine) as winemaking grape in 2010 due to its exclusiveness. Koshu has been grown mainly in Yamanashi Prefecture accounting for 96% of entire production in Japan. Its grape character is citrusy aroma such as lemon, grapefruit together with fresh acidity and light in body. Although Koshu has similar character of aromas and structure in Pinot Grigio , moderate acidity and umani flavour in Koshu can be distinguished from Pinot Grigio.
[Source]
- Japan Sommelier Association Textbook 2020
- National Tax Agency (Japan) https://www.nta.go.jp/taxes/sake/shiori-gaikyo/seizogaikyo/kajitsu/pdf/28wine03.pdf
- International Organisation of Vine and Wine http://www.oiv.int
