Famous Japanese whisky maker Suntory goes back to its wine roots

The third largest manufacturer of spirits started life as a wine merchant and is rediscovering its history more than a century after it was founded

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The vineyard at Suntory’s Tomi No Oka winery in Yamanashi prefecture, Japan, with snow-capped Mount Fuji in the distance. Picture: Alamy

Published: 5:03pm, 12 Oct 2018Updated: 5:03pm, 12 Oct 2018

Hongkongers have an insatiable appetite for all things Japanese, be it food or culture. According to a recent article in The Japan Times newspaper, Hong Kong is the largest market for Japanese produce, accounting for about 25 per cent of exports. And it is the second largest importer of sake by value (the United States holds top spot). So how about Japanese wines? Imports are still a fledgling market, but with so many Japanese restaurants in the city, the wines are becoming a popular food accompaniment.

With its 2014 acquisition of US-based Beam Inc, Suntory became the world’s third largest manufacturer of spirits. One of Japan’s oldest alcohol distributors, Suntory started out in the wine business – founder Shinjiro Torii opened his first store in Osaka in 1899, selling imported wine – but it has since become more known for other types of spirits, such as whisky.

An advertisement for Akadama port wine, which was created by Suntory founder Shinjiro Torii, circa 1925. Picture: Alamy

In a bid to rediscover its wine roots, in 2010, Suntory set out with the goal of producing top-quality wines using 100 per cent Japanese grapes. Its flagship winery is Tomi No Oka, located in Yamanashi prefecture, about two hours west of Tokyo by train. The vineyard is spread across 25 hectares and practises sustainable viticulture.

Winemaker Naoki Watanabe was trained in oenology at the University of Bordeaux, in France. Tomi No Oka wines represent a modern Japanese wine style – fruit forward, balanced, elegant and food friendly.

Suntory Japan Premium Koshu 2015, HK$295

Koshu, Japan’s signature grape, is an indigenous variety belonging to the Vitis vinifera family. It is a versatile grape and is used to make dry, sparkling and sweet wines. The grape is thick-skinned, making it resistant to fungal diseases. Along with its dry wine style, koshu has delicate floral and mineral notes. It has a relatively low alcohol level, vibrant acidity and pristine finish. A report from the Journal of the Japanese Association for the Study of Taste and Smell states that the iron content in wine accentuates fishy aromas in seafood. Koshu, with its low iron content, is an ideal wine to complement seafood, especially sushi and sashimi.

Suntory’s Premium Koshu is a pure, classic expression of the grape. It is fermented in stainless steel and aged on lees.