Watermelon comes into season from early summer through midsummer.
It is said there is no definitive answer as to whether watermelon is a vegetable or a fruit (the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries classifies it as a "fruit-like vegetable"), but since it is displayed in the fruit section, many people probably think of it as a fruit.
Now, watermelon is actually an ingredient that pairs very well with white wine.
This time, we visited Momotenashi-ya, a bistro and café on the second floor of Tottori-Okayama Shimbashikan serving currently in-season Tottori watermelons, to explore the reasons and verify the pairing between white wine and watermelon.
Let's unravel the secrets behind the pairing of watermelon and white wine.
Watermelon is a delightful ingredient packed with nutrients
Characterized by its refreshing sweetness and crisp, crunchy texture, watermelon is about 90% water, making it the perfect food for staying hydrated in summer.
It is believed to have been named "Suika" (literally "Western Melon") because it was introduced from the western regions of China, and it has long been enjoyed in Japan as a quintessential symbol of summer.
As mentioned above, because the flesh is almost entirely water, it is often thought to lack nutrients, but it is actually rich in nutrition, containing potassium, minerals, beta-carotene, lycopene, citrulline, and vitamins C and A.
As long as you don't overeat, it is a food you would want to enjoy every day (and it is also great for preventing heatstroke).
While watermelon is delicious on its own, it also pairs exceptionally well with white wine.
Overseas, rosé wine is often recommended for its charming fruitiness alongside refreshing sparkling wines, but for an everyday pairing with wine, white wine is definitely the top recommendation.
In particular, Japanese white wine is delicate without being overpowering in aroma, flavor, or body, making it an even better match for watermelon.
About the pairing of watermelon and white wine
When pairing watermelon with white wine, it is necessary to consider the aroma, flavor, and texture of the watermelon.
First, the following components are believed to contribute to the aroma and flavor of watermelon.
- Aldehydes: Refreshing aroma
- Alcohols: Fruity aroma
- Ketones: Contributing to a lemon-like aroma
- (E,Z)-3,6-nonadien-1-ol, (E)-2-nonenal: Juicy, green aromas reminiscent of cucumber
For example, rosé wine might seem like a good match thanks to its red fruit notes, florality, and sweet nuances, but considering sharpness, lemon, and herbal greenness, white wine offers a closer profile.
Next, regarding the texture of watermelon, as described by words like crisp, crunchy, and juicy, its signature quality is a pleasant bite rather than softness.
The crisp crunch is said to be essential to the deliciousness of watermelon, making it a food whose appeal is enjoyed through chewing.
Therefore, rather than wines with a heavy, rich, or soft texture, it pairs well with white wines that have a solid structure supported by minerality, salinity, and crisp acidity.
In addition, considering that squeezing lemon juice onto watermelon transforms it into something tropical, that sprinkling salt enhances its sweetness, and that it tastes best chilled, young, fresh, and sharp white wines are expected to pair best.
Putting watermelon and white wine pairing into practice
While we say "watermelon and white wine go together," is it truly a great match beyond just theory?
When it comes to watermelon, Tottori Prefecture comes to mind, so this time we visited Momotenashi-ya, a bistro and café on the second floor of the Tottori-Okayama Shimbashikan antenna shop in Shimbashi, Tokyo, to test out the pairing of watermelon and white wine.
Currently, the 1st floor shop at Tottori-Okayama Shimbashikan is selling Tottori Watermelon, beloved for being sweet all the way through, while Momotenashi-ya on the 2nd floor is hosting a "Tottori Watermelon Fair" offering watermelon sweets made abundantly with Tottori watermelon for a limited time.
To test the pairing of white wine and watermelon, it all starts with tasting delicious watermelon.
We asked Ami Otsuka from the Tottori Prefecture Tokyo Headquarters to explain what makes Tottori watermelon so special.
"In the Tokyo metropolitan area, watermelons from Kumamoto and Chiba prefectures might be more common, but Tottori Prefecture is actually one of Japan's leading watermelon-producing regions. Grown in the nutrient-rich volcanic Kuroboku soil at the foot of Mt. Daisen, Tottori watermelons are large, sweet, and known for their crisp crunch. By the way, at this year's Tottori Watermelon appraisal meeting, the average internal Brix level was 12.2 degrees, resulting in a sweetness on par with typical peak years."
Furthermore, Tottori watermelons are sweet right down to the rind, so every bite is sweet and delicious.
The peak shipping period for Tottori watermelons is from early June to early July.
The "Tottori Watermelon Fair" at Momotenashi-ya is scheduled to run until around Sunday, July 6. The 1st floor shop is also selling cut watermelons and whole melons until around mid-July. (Selling Daiei Watermelon, Kurayoshi Watermelon, Kotoura Gaburiko, etc. *Store inventory depends on stock arrival status.)
Sweet, juicy, and crisply crunchy Tottori watermelon.
It looks like it will pair wonderfully with white wine.
Checking the pairing of Tottori white wine and Tottori watermelon
This time, Shinnosuke Kizu, manager of Momotenashi-ya, paired Tottori watermelon with three types of white wines from Tottori Prefecture served at the restaurant.
The watermelon dish prepared for us was the restaurant's "Sono Manma Tottori Suika" (900 yen including tax).
Totto Winery Yama Blanc 2024 × Tottori Watermelon
First, we tested Totto Winery's "Yama Blanc 2024."
"This is a fresh, fruity white wine with dashi-like savory nuances. Because the acidity is quite vibrant, it's recommended either to refresh your palate after eating watermelon, or to take a sip while holding watermelon in your mouth to bring out the sweetness. Personally, I felt the parts closer to the watermelon rind were easier to pair, so I also recommend pairing it with watermelon kinpira or pickles."
The refreshing citrus nuance of "Yama Blanc 2024" gives the watermelon a sweet and tangy profile, creating a well-balanced pairing with a crisp aftertaste.
Incidentally, watermelon kinpira and pickles are currently being offered on the dinner menu for a limited time, so he encourages visitors to stop by the restaurant and check them out.
*Totto Winery "Yama Blanc 2024" 1,300 yen (glass)
Hojo Wine Map Label × Tottori Watermelon
"Hojo Wine's 'Map Label,' which uses Koshu. It has a modest, gentle flavor. Within that, you can feel summery flavors reminiscent of tropical fruits like lychee and mangosteen. The texture brought by its taut minerality matches the crisp crunch of the watermelon remarkably well. Personally, it evokes a summer mountain stream and feels like a cooling combination designed to beat the heat with melon-family food."
Pairing the tropical-like flavors with watermelon evokes tropical aromas such as pineapple, creating a festive mood.
Turning it into a savory dish, such as a watermelon salad seasoned with salt, would likely make it even easier to pair.
*Hojo Wine "Map Label" 800 yen (glass)
Kurayoshi Winery Hakushu Chardonnay 2023 × Tottori Watermelon
"Because this wine is made unfiltered, it features a solid texture and a subtle salinity derived from the sea breeze carried from the Sea of Japan. Much like the traditional way of eating watermelon with a sprinkle of salt, sipping the wine first followed by the watermelon is recommended to highlight the watermelon's freshness and sweetness. The aroma reminiscent of tomato consommé also connects nicely to a summery pairing."
A white wine with fresh aromas and a touch of salinity pairs exceptionally well with watermelon.
A pleasant minerality also shapes its body, harmonizing well with the crisp crunch of watermelon.
It is a pairing you will want to enjoy in early summer, evocative of the arrival of the summer season.
*Kurayoshi Winery "Hakushu Chardonnay 2023" 1,300 yen (glass)
(This wine is scheduled to be served for a limited time. Please contact the restaurant directly regarding the serving period.)
Mr. Kizu noted that the pairing of Japanese white wine—with citrus nuances, minerality, and crisp acidity—and sweet Tottori watermelon was outstanding.
He was pleasantly surprised that although pairing watermelon with wine was a first for him, it was an unexpected combination whose deliciousness makes you want to promote it even more.
Summary
Many people may never have even thought of pairing wine with watermelon.
Watermelon, delicious from early summer through midsummer, is a delightful ingredient that is not only packed with nutrients but also easy to pair with wine.
Why not take this opportunity to casually try the pairing of Tottori white wine and Tottori watermelon?
Reference
Overview of "Tottori-Okayama Shimbashikan"
Address: Shimbashi Center Place, 1-11-7 Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Phone: 1F Shop 03-6280-6474
2F Bistro & Café "Momotenashi-ya" 03-6280-6475
Business hours: 1F 10:00 - 21:00
2F 11:00 - 21:30 (L.O. 21:00)
*Business hours are subject to change. Please check the official website for the latest information.
Official website: https://www.torioka.com/