Yoichi Town, Niki Town, Niseko Town, Iwamizawa City... Seeing this list, many of our readers will surely recognize these names right away.
That's right, they are famous Japanese wine-producing regions!
An tea made from the grapevines of these regions lets you savor Hokkaido's terroir, and it is currently hugely popular.
Instead of traditional tea leaves like Japanese tea, grapevine leaves are used.
This tea is created by gathering the leaves harvested during vineyard tasks such as bud thinning and leaf removal in wine grape vineyards.
About Hokkaido TEA
Hokkaido TEA started its development from a casual conversation with a grower who wondered, "Can we somehow make use of grape leaves that are normally just returned to the soil?"
It is a non-alcoholic, caffeine-free beverage that allows you to enjoy aromas and flavors much like wine.
Vineyards Providing Grape Leaves for the Tea
Now in its third release since its debut, "Wine Grape Leaf Tea 2022" has expanded its source vineyards to 11 located across Yoichi Town, Niki Town, Niseko Town, and Iwamizawa City, allowing you to enjoy a variety of distinct flavors.
All of them are vineyards producing high-quality wines across Hokkaido.
You will likely recognize many of these vineyards.
■ Yoichi Town
- Yoichi Noborin Farm (Mongaku Valley Winery)
- Domaine Takahiko
- Domaine Mont
- NPO Hokkaido Ecovillage Promotion Project (Yoichi Ecovillage)
- CAMEL FARM WINERY Camel Farm Winery
- Jiki no Hata
- Yamadado
■ Niki Town
- Le Rêve Winery
■ Niseko Town
- Niseko Winery
- Lalala Farm
■ Iwamizawa City
- KONDO Vineyard
How to Enjoy "Wine Grape Leaf Tea 2022"
You can compare its taste with wines from the same region or enjoy it as a palate cleanser while drinking wine.
It is also great to savor as a wine substitute on days when you want to abstain from alcohol.
Curious About the Taste?! A Japanese Wine Ambassador Tastes Them!
Without further ado, Japanese Wine AmbassadorYukari tasted this tea for us.
— Compared to standard Japanese tea, it has a pleasant acidity and is very refreshing. It feels close to a herbal tea.
“With its clean, crisp taste, wouldn't it be ideal as an after-meal drink after enjoying wine?”
“Knowing that leaves from my favorite wineries are used also brings a sense of delight.” (Yukari)
Looking over the list of vineyards used for the tea leaves also sparks lively conversation about this and that.
Enjoy a cup after wine, or as a wine substitute on liver-rest days...
Plus, the stylish packaging is lovely, so it might also make a wonderful gift for wine lovers.
—— ——
Product Name: Hokkaido TEA Wine Grape Leaf Tea 2022
Ingredients: Wine grape leaves
Volume: 50g
Price: 3,240 yen
Purchase method: Available for purchase on the online shop.
https://hokkaidotea.base.shop/
■ Official Website http://hokkaidotea.jp
■ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hokkaido_tea (@hokkaido_tea)