Kura Master, the competition in Paris that judges Japanese alcoholic beverages, has announced the launch of a new Japanese Wine Competition from 2025.
For the inaugural year, judging will focus on Koshu, a grape with a long history of cultivation as a native Japanese variety and one that is increasingly recognized in Europe as representative of Japanese wine.
A press conference was held at the Tokyo International Forum on January 28, attended by many people from the Japanese wine industry.
What kind of competition is Kura Master, and what is the newly established Koshu-focused Japanese Wine Competition?
Let's take a closer look along with a video featuring organizer Keiichiro Miyagawa.
Open on youtubehttps://www.youtube.com/embed/SgzpwjnnBLk?si=R8SvrkBexyb8YYbC
What is Kura Master?
With a mission to spread the appeal of Japanese alcoholic beverages around the world, Kura Master launched a sake competition in Paris in 2017, added a honkaku shochu and awamori competition in 2020, and began an umeshu competition in 2023. This year marks its ninth competition overall.
The judging panel consists mainly of French and other European professionals in the food and beverage industry, including holders of the French MOF distinction for master craftspeople, top sommeliers and bartenders from leading French hotels, cavistes, and professionals from restaurants, hotels, and culinary schools.
In other words, it is a competition for traditional Japanese alcoholic beverages held in France for a French audience.
Kenjiro Monji, Honorary Chairman of Kura Master
A Japanese wine category is added this year
In recent years, Koshu has increasingly been recognized in European markets as a grape representative of Japanese wine, and it is a variety that highlights the distinctiveness of Japan's wine culture.
Because French wine culture traditionally studies wine by region and grape variety, Kura Master chose to limit the inaugural Japanese Wine Competition to Koshu, allowing judges to deepen their learning and understanding.
This year's theme is Koshu, but Japan has many other compelling varieties and regions. From future editions, the competition aims to focus on greater diversity and promote Japanese wine as a whole to the world.
Press conference held at Tokyo International Forum
With the launch of the Japanese wine category, the press conference at Tokyo International Forum welcomed many guests active in the Japanese wine industry.
Yuji Aruga, chairman of the Yamanashi Prefecture Wine Manufacturers Association and a guest at the event, spoke of the honor of having the new category established while noting the growing number of Japanese wines winning awards at overseas competitions and promotional initiatives in Europe such as KOSHU OF JAPAN.
Satoru Mori, vice president of the Japan Sommelier Association and a judge at many competitions, expressed his expectations: “The approach of judging wine with cuisine as the central focus is extremely interesting. I hope good synergy can emerge from initiatives on both the French and Japanese sides, so that Japanese sommeliers can also propose ways to enjoy Japanese and international cuisine together with wine.”
Mitsuhiro Anzo, Executive Winemaker at Mercian, described the evolution of Koshu: it was made as a sweet wine in the 1980s, followed by various efforts modeled on French wines, and later developed into an original Japanese dry white style through suggestions and input from overseas. His account underscored the uniqueness of the variety.
“Although it is Japan's representative grape, relatively few Japanese people still drink it regularly. I would be delighted if people rediscovered the appeal of Koshu,” he said.
Genki Iwasaki, who studied winemaking in France and organized the first Japanese wine tasting event in Paris, also attended.
Around 450 French participants sampled Japanese wine at the tasting, and many were reportedly surprised by the distinctive and impressive wines being produced.
Based on that experience, he said, “I think this initiative will have a major impact on the spread of Japanese wine in Europe,” adding, “I hope Koshu will be produced not only in Yamanashi Prefecture but throughout Japan.”
＜Clockwise from upper left＞
Yuji Aruga, Chairman, Yamanashi Prefecture Wine Manufacturers Association / President and Representative Director, Katsunuma Jyozo
Mitsuhiro Anzo, Executive Winemaker, Mercian
Satoru Mori, Vice President, Japan Sommelier Association / Executive Sommelier, Andaz Tokyo
Genki Iwasaki, Winemaker / French state-certified oenologist DNO / Organizer, Salon des Vins Japonais
Entry requirements
Schedule
1. Entry requirements announced: Tuesday, January 28, 6:00 French time / 14:00 Japan time
2. Entry period: Monday, February 10 – Friday, March 21
3. Judging: Monday, May 26, ESPACE CHARENTON, Paris, France
4. Winning wines announced: Monday, June 16. Jury Prize, Platinum Awards, Gold Awards, and Top 3 announced on the official website.
5. Kura Master 2025 awards ceremony: Wednesday, September 24, at the Residence of the Ambassador of Japan to France, planned
Jury Prize certificates will be presented.
6. Kura Master 2025 winning-wine tasting: Thursday, September 25, at Maison de la culture du Japon à Paris, planned
Entry overview
＜How to enter＞
Applications will be accepted online through the official Kura Master website from Monday, February 10 through Friday, March 21. See the URL below for details.
＜Entry conditions＞
The Kura Master Japanese Wine Competition will judge one category, Koshu. The entry fee is €307 per wine, including registration, shipping, customs duties, liquor taxes, and related expenses.
See the following URL for rules and detailed conditions.
https://kuramaster.com/ja/wine/entry-requirements/
Earning recognition in France, a leading center of food and wine culture, should offer a worthwhile challenge.
Koshu producers, why not consider entering?
For inquiries and full details, please check the official website.
Kura Master official site
https://kuramaster.com
Kura Master
Japanese Wine Competition Schedule
https://kuramaster.com/ja/wine/entry-requirements/