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Koshu, thought to be derived from a cross-breeding of Vitis vinifera L. and V. davidii Foex, is the most popular indigenous cultivar for wine production in Japan (2, 3).  Koshu seems to be 70% V. vinifera and the remaining 30% is derived from the Chinese wild species of V. davidii or a closely related species (2, 3).  The Koshu wine tested had high contents of 4-vinylphenol, likely to be responsible for the chemical smell, 2-Methoxy-4-vinylphenol, likely to be the source for the smoky aroma, β-damascenone, whose aroma is similar to that of apple compote, and 3-Mercaptohexan-1-ol (3MH), whose aroma is similar to those of grapefruit and passion fruit (6).  Furthermore, the environmental stresses enhanced the biosynthesis of two flavor precursors of 3MH, [S-(3-hexan-1-ol)-glutathione and S-(3-hexan-1-ol)-L-cysteine], in grapevine (6).  In the case of the amino acid composition, Koshu wine specifically contained glutamine compared to Chardonnay wine and higher concentration of proline than Chardonnay wine (9).  These findings may be useful for the selection of suitable cultivation conditions and the improvement of the quality of Koshu grapes and wine (1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11).

1. The potential aroma and flavor compounds in Vitis sp. cv. Koshu and V. vinifera L. cv. Chardonnay under different environmental conditions, S. M. Bahena-Garrido et. al., J. Science Food & Agriculture, Vol. 99 (4), pp. 1926-1937 (2019). https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jsfa.9389
2. Genetic Analysis of East Asian Grape Cultivars Suggests Hybridization with Wild Vitis, N. Goto-Yamamoto et. al., PLoS ONE, 10(10) 1371 (2015). https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0140841; https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0140841&type=printable
3. Searching for the origin of Koshu grapes (in Japanese), Report of National Research Institute of Brewing, N. Goto, (2015). https://www.nrib.go.jp/sake/nrib/pdf/NRIBNo27.pdf
4. Terminology of wine aroma evaluation, N. Goto, J. Japan Assc. Odor Environment, Vol. 44 (6), pp. 390-396 (2013). https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jao/44/6/44_390/_article/-char/en; https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jao/44/6/44_390/_pdf/-char/en
5. Quality Characteristic of ‘Koshu’ Grape Cultivated under Espalier Training System and ‘Koshu’ Wine, A. Misawa et al., J. ASEV Japan, Vol. 24 (3), pp. 145-152 (2013). https://asevjpn.jp/web/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/vol24_-no3_02.pdf
6. New Aroma of Koshu Wine, H. Kobayashi, J. ASEV Japan, Vol. 24 (1), pp. 17-23 (2013). https://asevjpn.jp/web/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/vol24_-no1_04.pdf
7. How to maximize the aroma of Koshu wine? (in Japanese), H. Kobayashi, J. Seibutsukogaku, Vol. 89 (12), pp. 728-731 (2011). https://www.sbj.or.jp/wp-content/uploads/file/sbj/8912/8912_tokushu_4.pdf
8. Studies on the technology of viticulture and winemaking for higher qualitative Koshu wine (in Japanese), M. Komatsu et.al., Report of the Yamanashi Prefectural Industrial Technology Center, No. 23 (2009). https://www.pref.yamanashi.jp/documents/42318/report_h20_08.pdf
9. Characteristics of Amino Acid Compositions of Koshu and Chardonnay Wines, T. Miki and T. Shinohara, J. Brew. Soc. Japan, Vol. 103 (12), pp. 954-958 (2008). https://agriknowledge.affrc.go.jp/RN/2010770027.pdf
10. Using Wine Yeast Mutants with Reduced Amino Acid Uptake for the Production of Koshu Wine Containing Higher Amino Acid Levels, M. Kishimoto and M. Sodeyama, J. Brew. Soc. Japan, Vol. 98 (3), pp. 210-216 (2003). https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jbrewsocjapan1988/98/3/98_3_210/_pdf
11. Modification of a Standardized System of Wine Aroma Terminology, A. C. Noble et.al., Am. J. Enol. Vitic., Vol. 38 (2), pp. 143-146 (1987). https://www.ajevonline.org/content/38/2/143; https://www.worldwidechocolate.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/wine-aroma-wheel.pdf

Located in the Katsunuma region, Shirayuri Winery is a medium size-wine maker in Yamanashi Prefecture. Katsunuma is the major wine and grape production region in Japan. The company’s logo L’ORIENT is a French word for Orient. (https://shirayuriwine.com/; https://www.koshuvalley.com/wineries/list/lorient-wine)

Cultivars (varieties): Koshu (Vitis vinifera and V. davidii cultivar Koshu), Muscat Bailey A [(Vitis labruscana cv. Bailey) and (Vitis vinifera cv. Muscat Hamburg)], Chardonnay (Vitis vinifera cv. Chardonnay)

Wine Barrels, Shirayuri Winery, Katsunuma, Koshu, Yamanashi, 12/07/2023

Overhead Trellis, Muscat Bailey A, Shirayuri Winery, Katsunuma, Koshu, Yamanashi, 12/07/2023

Espalier Training System, Chardonnay, Shirayuri Winery, Katsunuma, Koshu, Yamanashi, 12/07/2023

Overhead Trellis, Koshu, Shirayuri Winery, Katsunuma, Koshu, Yamanashi, 12/07/2023

At the Entrance, Muscat Bailey A, Shirayuri Winery, Katsunuma, Koshu, Yamanashi, 12/07/2023

Daizenji Temple, known as “Grape Temple,” is located at the hillside in the town of Katsunuma, the city of Koshu, in Yamanashi Prefecture.   The temple belongs to the Chisan sect of Japanese Shingon Buddhism (https://daizenji.org). Also, please refer to the article on June 8th, 2021 (https://ymmt.etsuo.tokyo/2021/06/).

Daizenji Temple, Koshu, Yamanashi, 12/07/2023

Located on an expansive open hill, Fuefukidawa Fruit Park offers sweeping views overlooking the Kofu Basin and Mount Fuji. The city of Yamanashi is located next to the city of Koshu in the eastern region of Yamanashi Prefecture. The area is known for its fruit and wine production.  Fuefukigawa Fruit Park is a sprawling park that is full of natural scenery with the variety of fruits and flowers grown in Yamanashi Prefecture.

(https://fuefukigawafp.co.jp; https://www.gltjp.com/en/directory/item/11892/)

The Exhibition of the History of Japan Wine _ Its Birth and Development, has been held at the park until March 31, 2024.

(https://fuefukigawafp.co.jp/facility/fruit_museu/; https://www.nrib.go.jp/English/sake/pdf/WineNo02_en.pdf)

Inside the dome, Fuefukigawa Fruit Park, Yamanashi-city, Yamanashi, 12/07/2023

Winepress and Bottle Capping Machene, Fuefukigawa Fruit Park, Yamanashi-city, Yamanashi, 12/07/2023

Chinese quince (Pseudocydonia sinensis), Fuefukigawa Fruit Park, Yamanashi-city, Yamanashi, 12/07/2023

Added

Views of Mount Fuji from the observation deck, Fuefukigawa Fruit Park, Yamanashi-city, Yamanashi, 12/10/2023

Views of the Fuefukigawa Fruit Park from the Manriki district, Yamanashi-city, Yamanashi, 12/10/2023

Miho Pine Forest is a scenic area in the Miho Peninsula located in Shimizu-ward, the city of Shizuoka, in Shizuoka Prefecture. It is known for its beautiful pine trees grown along the beach in Suruga Bay with a view of Mount Fuji on clear days. From Miho Shrine to the beach, there is a stretch of the pine trees over 500m. It is called Kami-no-Michi, “the road of god.” The pine trees are grown both sides of the stretch and they are huge being about 200-300 years old. This forest area is the place for the legend “Hagoromo (Robe of Feathers)” and also served as the scene for the Noh play titled “Hagoromo.”

https://miho-no-matsubara.jp/lang/en; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miho_no_Matsubara

Miho Pine Forest and Mount Fuji, Shimizu-ward, Shizuoka-city, Shizuoka, 11/29 & 12/05/2023

It was another fine day in Nirasaki, Yamanashi Prefecture. The views of Mount Kayagatake, Mount Kanegatake and the Yatsugatake Mountains with the interesting shapes of the clouds in the blue sky were incredible. The photographs were taken from the windows of the Nirasaki Omura Museum of Art.

Kayagatake and Kanagatake Mountains and the Yatsugatake Mountains, Nirasaki Omura Museum of Art, Nirasaki, Yamanashi, 12/02/2023

An exhibition of Sultanate of Oman has been held in the Lifelong Learning Center in the town of Ichikawamisato, in Yamanashi Prefecture during November 28 through December 15, 2023. Ichikawamisato town is well known for its fireworks production and the Shinmei Fireworks Festival is one of the greatest fireworks displays in the region. Ichikawamisato town has been trying to expand its good relationships with Oman and the exhibition is one of its attempts (https://www.town.ichikawamisato.yamanashi.jp/02topics/sultanateofomanexhibition.html).

Tent with cushions and rugs, ethnic costumes of Oman with embroidery decorations, silver accessories, dried dates and black tea

Lifelong Learning Center, Ichikawamisa-cho, Yamanashi, 11/29/2023

JTB Corporation opened a travel center named “Tourist Base Kawaguchiko” in the town of Fujikawaguchiko, in Yamanashi Prefecture. The center is located near Kawaguchiko Station and provides a cafe facility with a magnificent view of Mount Fuji and a Japanese atmosphere with tatami flours providing the experience of dressing in kimono or samurai armor. The center also sells optional tours with Lake Kawaguchi as a starting point, focusing on tours to visit various locations in Yamanashi, like a “FUJIYAMA Twin Terrace” visit tour as the centerpiece. You can also rent an electric scooter to move around the Lake Kawaguchi area, which cannot be reached on foot.

Notice of the center and a view of Mount Fuji from the rooftop of the Marumune Building, Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi, 11/26/2023

Dodan Azalea (Enkianthus perulatus), Fujikawa Craft Park, Minobu, Yamanashi, 11/25/2023

Japanese maple (Acer palmatum), Fujikawa Craft Park, Minobu, Yamanashi, 11/25/2023

Dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides), Fujikawa Craft Park, Minobu, Yamanashi, 11/25/2023

The Shindo (new road) Pass Fujiyama Twin Terrace is located in the Kamiashigawa District, Ashigawa-cho, Fuefuki, Yamanashi Prefecture. You can enjoy the magnificent views of Mount Fuji from the two observation decks, the Second Terrace and the First Terrace. The sightseeing (FUJIYAMA Twin Terrace) bus service is available from the parking lots to the foot of the Twin Terrace during late April until late November with small fees. You need to walk from the bus stop to the First Terrace for a little more than five minutes.

https://www.fuefuki-kanko.jp/scontents/fujiyamatwinterrace/#; https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14421398; https://www.fuefuki-kanko.jp/scontents/fujiyamatwinterrace/1062/index.html

Mount Fuji from the First and Second Terraces, Shindo Pass Fujiyama Twin Terrace, Fuefuki, Yamanashi, 11/22/2023

Lake Kawaguchi from the First and Second Terraces, Shindo Pass Fujiyama Twin Terrace, Fuefuki, Yamanashi, 11/22/2023

The moon from the First and Second Terraces, Shindo Pass Fujiyama Twin Terrace, Fuefuki, Yamanashi, 11/22/2023