Koshu Wine Tasting at the Imagination Gallery

"I must confess that what appeals to me about Koshu is its very lack of brashness, its delicacy, purity, limpidity, and the way it goes so well with the calmer regions of the Japanese gastronomic landscape." Jancis Robinson, Financial Times OBE, MW, Financial Times

Were you aware that Japan is a producer of fine wines? In fact, the quality of Japanese wines has led to a surge in its popularity among select international wine experts and enthusiasts.

The Koshu white wine, made from a grape variety with a 1,000 year history of cultivation in Japan, developed from grapes initially transported across the Silk Road. Koshu wine has a pale straw colour and subtle aromas of citrus and white peach. It is light, fresh and delicate on the tongue, with a crisp acidity and relatively low alcohol content. These characteristics make Koshu an ideal accompaniment to light and healthy styles of cooking such as Japanese and fusion cuisine as well as fish and vegetarian dishes.

Fifteen wine producers from Yamanashi Prefecture, where the wine is produced at the foot of Mt. Fuji, have formed a group called Koshu of Japan (KOJ) in order to ensure the high quality of wine and to inform a global community. Japan Society members may remember their hugely popular first international event, held in January 2010 at the Embassy of Japan.

The Japan Society is delighted that Koshu of Japan is once again arranging an exclusive wine tasting for members. Join us at the award-winning Imagination Gallery to taste wines selected by 14 of the region's most distinguished wineries in consultation with Master of Wine, Lynne Sherriff. The wines will be carefully matched with an assortment of canapés specially created by the head chef of the Imagination Gallery together with a sushi selection by a sushi master chef, and experts will be in attendance to share their appreciation and understanding of the complexities of this unique wine that is only produced in Japan.

Admission: £18.00 for Japan Society members and guests (booking required)
Deadline for bookings: Monday 17th January 2011

Places are strictly limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. To register your attendance please contact the Japan Society on tel: 020 7828 6330 or email: events@japansociety.org.uk.