Wine Talent Yui Teaches You! The 3 Must-Know Wine Varieties Expressed as Handsome Actors!

"What kind of wine do you like?"

When a sommelier asks you this at a restaurant, how do you usually respond?

"A fruity white wine." "A rich, full-bodied red wine."
We often hear phrases like these.

Freshness, fruitiness, tannin...
The flavor and aroma of wine.
So, what influences them the most?

The answer isthe grape variety!!

Variety refers to the type of grape. In familiar terms, think of Kyoho, Muscat, Delaware, and so on.
(Or to make it even easier with strawberries: Tochiotome, Amaou, Benihoppe.)

There are hundreds of grape varieties used for making wine. While there are many other factors that shape a wine's flavor—such as region and producer—just like ingredients in cooking, the grape variety is the primary element determining a wine's taste.

For those who want to learn more about wine:
"Just listing technical text sounds kind of boring..."
I can almost hear you saying that!
So this time, to make the distinct personalities of the three major red and white grape varieties easy to understand, I will compare them tohandsome actors!
(Please note, this is purely my personal opinion!)

1. Cabernet Sauvignon

Color Very deep
Aroma CharacteristicsDark fruits such as blackberry and plum, spices,
Flavor ProfileA heavy, full-bodied wine with firm tannins.

If you love heavier red wines, could the wine you usually drink at restaurants be Cabernet Sauvignon?
Originating in the Bordeaux region of France, this variety is now grown all over the world, including the United States, Chile, and Japan.

It is above all powerful!! The kind of variety whose strength makes you feel protected.
If represented by an actor, it would definitely be...Hiroshi Abe

In the movie Thermae Romae, he made headlines with his passionate performance as a Roman, showcasing his remarkably un-Japanese features and impressive physique. Cabernet Sauvignon is truly a variety like Lucius, wrapping you in its strength.

② Merlot

ColorDeep
Aroma ProfileBlueberry, blackberry, chocolate
Flavor Profile Full-bodied with a smooth mouthfeel and noticeable tannins.

Just like Cabernet Sauvignon, its origin is the Bordeaux region of France.
In France, with its deep winemaking history, Merlot is actually the most widely produced red wine grape.
While it produces full-bodied wines similar to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot is characterized by its smooth mouthfeel.
Recently in Japan as well, it is being widely cultivated, especially in Nagano Prefecture.

Combining not just strength, but gentleness as well,
if I were to compare this variety to an actor... it would be none other thanShun Oguri

Some of you might have guessed it. Yes! Hanazawa Rui, the prince of Boys Over Flowers. Always gently by your side, protecting you with strength when push comes to shove.

I really wish someone like that existed... (from the bottom of my heart!)

③ Pinot Noir

Color Pale or moderately deep
Aroma Profile Raspberries, strawberries, red berry fruits, flowers
Flavor Profile A medium-bodied wine with low astringency and gentle acidity.

If you prefer a milder red wine over a bold one, Pinot Noir is highly recommended. This is a signature variety from the Burgundy region of France, used to make Romanee-Conti, often called the world's most expensive wine.
Recently, it has been widely produced in places like California in the US and New Zealand.
Although cultivating it was long considered difficult in Japan, many producers in Hokkaido have taken up the challenge recently, and Japanese Pinot Noir is now gaining attention worldwide.

Gentle and gorgeous, with a touch of acidity that gives it a bit of a tsundere charm—if this variety were an actor, it would be none other than...Yudai Chiba

Combining a gentle, adorable vibe with a delightfully devilish aura, he is truly just like Pinot Noir.

① Chardonnay

Color Tone Pale to deep
Aroma Profile Green apple and lime in cool regions; pineapple and mango in warm regions
Flavor ProfileFrom crisp and refreshing to rich and intense — Medium to Full Body

If I had to describe this variety in one phrase, it would be "I’ll adapt to whatever color you choose."
I really struggled when listing the characteristics above because the flavor profile varies completely depending on the region and winemaking style.
At restaurants these days, you often see Chardonnays with a full-bodied flavor. For instance, ones produced in warm climates like California or Chile are common. This is probably because Chardonnay is one of the few white varieties that can express such a robust sense of volume.
If you love white wine, knowing *where* your favorite Chardonnay comes from makes ordering at restaurants much easier.

If I were to compare this grape to an actor, it would definitely be...Go Ayano
From the gentle Dr. Kounotori to roles in yakuza dramas, Mr. Ayano plays a wide spectrum of characters. His chameleon-like, versatile talent is truly reminiscent of Chardonnay.

② Sauvignon Blanc
Color: Pale
Aroma: Lime, grapefruit, fresh herbs, medicinal herbs
Taste: Crisp acidity with a refreshing grapefruit-like character — Light to Medium Body

This crisp, clean variety is mainly produced in France's Loire Valley.
It features distinctive aromas of citrus fruits and herbs, making it the ideal choice when you want something light and refreshing. Lately, Sauvignon Blanc produced in New Zealand—a warmer region—has been gaining international acclaim.
Be careful not to confuse it with the red wine grape Cabernet Sauvignon mentioned above. (Their similar names are due to a genetic connection—they are like "cousins".)

If I were to compare this grape to an actor, it would definitely be...Ryoma Takeuchi
The quintessential "refreshing" actor. He even appears in laundry detergent commercials, so you can almost smell a pleasant fragrance just looking at him, can't you?

③ Koshu

Color Very pale to pale
Aroma Profile Lime, green apple, ginjo aroma
Taste Profile Fresh, crisp, light-bodied with a delicate feel.

Koshu is Japan's iconic grape variety. It boasts a 1,300-year history and is primarily produced in Yamanashi Prefecture.
As traditional Japanese cuisine ("washoku") was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage and gained global attention, Japanese wine has also been drawing interest alongside sake, which pairs well with Japanese food. Above all, Koshu's delicacy is a perfect match for Japanese cuisine, and recently it is often seen in sushi restaurants.
When people who want to start drinking wine ask me, "Which white wine should I try?", I recommend Koshu because it is easy to drink and pairs wonderfully with everyday meals at home.

If I were to compare Koshu to an actor...Ryo Yoshizawa
With his image of delicate roles in morning dramas, and taking on the lead role in next year's Taiga drama, Yoshizawa-san feels like a perfect match for a traditional Japanese image, doesn't he?

In Conclusion

Thank you so much for reading this far ♡
Was it easy to understand...? Please note that this is purely my subjective opinion.

Recently, Japanese wine is being made not only from Japan's indigenous varieties, but also from international wine grape varieties. Wine made by Japanese producers has a delicate refinement and excellent quality, truly carrying on the spirit of "Made in Japan."
It's also really fun to taste and compare Japanese wines with wines from around the world.

If there is an actor that comes to your mind, please be sure to let me know ♡