"tosa cavatina," the first-ever 100% Kochi-grown wine.
The wine was served on July 4, 2022, at a wine party held at "TOSA DINING Okyaku," the second-floor restaurant of "Marugoto Kochi," a Kochi Prefecture antenna shop in Ginza-itchome, Tokyo.
Kochi was once considered unsuitable for viticulture, but now this long-awaited "local wine" has been born through the successful cultivation of dedicated wine grape varieties.
Let us take a closer look at what kind of wine it is.
A Long-Awaited "Local Wine"
The one that succeeded in cultivating wine grape varieties in Kochi Prefecture is Inoue Winery Co., Ltd., which opened a new winery, "Noichi Winery," in April 2022.
It is reported that they finally succeeded after repeating experimental cultivation on abandoned farmland for about 10 years.
The 100% Kochi-grown wine "tosa cavatina" is crafted using grapes grown in five municipalities across Kochi Prefecture (Konan City, Kami City, Nankoku City, Yusuhara Town, and Sakawa Town).
By cultivating, harvesting, and vinifying grape varieties best suited to the local soil and climate alongside local growers, the resulting wines pair exceptionally well with local ingredients and dishes blessed by the abundance of the sea, mountains, and rivers.
The Lineup
Here is the lineup of the 100% Kochi-grown wine "tosa cavatina."
tosa cavatina Yamanokita Kobel
"Kobel," a cross between Riesling and wild mountain grape (yamabudo), is grown in Yamanokita, a region famous for mandarin oranges.
This is a dry white wine with a fruity character and a soft mouthfeel.
tosa cavatina Inabu Fuji no Yume +
A red wine made by assembling (= blending base wines) Fuji no Yume (Merlot x yamabudo) grown in Inabu, Nankoku City, with Marselan from sun-drenched Tei, Konan City.
tosa cavatina Birafu Muscat Bailey A Claret
A bottle crafted into a claret style using Muscat Bailey A grown in Birafu, Kami City. You can enjoy a light mouthfeel and the fruity aromas of red wine.
Supporting Kochi Through Wine!
The 100% Kochi-grown wine has been extremely popular, with the initial 10,000 bottles quickly becoming scarce and hard to obtain.
The winery reportedly plans to increase production and release nouveau wines from this summer through autumn.
When thinking of Kochi Prefecture, the image of sake and seared bonito tataki usually comes to mind, but wine might become a famous specialty as well.
Why not check it out before everyone else does?
Details
TOSA Wine Inoue Winery Co., Ltd.