Editorial Policy

Who makes this content

Vinami's content is produced under the responsibility of Hikaru Kobori, a J.S.A. Wine Expert certified in 2023.

How we use AI

Vinami uses AI to draft content. We don't think that's something to hide, so here is exactly how far human review goes.

Blog articles

AI produces a draft, and every article is reviewed by Hikaru Kobori before publication. Fact-checking, rewriting and any additions happen at that stage. No published article has skipped human review.

Region, producer and cuvée catalogue

Catalogue descriptions, sommelier notes and FAQs are researched and written by AI, drawing on information published by producers and importers and on J.S.A. study materials. Where the research turns up contradictions or anything that reads oddly, we check it against a second source before publishing, and we correct entries whenever an error comes to light.

That said, we do not yet read every catalogue entry the way we read every blog article. The catalogue holds far more entries than the blog, so we currently rely on spot checks and on corrections prompted by reader reports. Please read catalogue text as material that has not passed the same depth of review as our articles.

For details that change over time — vintage variation, the current winemaker, specific parcels — we recommend confirming against a primary source such as the producer's own website.

We intend to widen the reviewed portion over time. When that changes, we'll update this page.

Conversations with the AI sommelier

Responses in chat are generated in the moment and are not reviewed by a human beforehand. Wine is full of exceptions and regional variation, and AI answers can contain errors. Please cross-check against other sources before relying on them.

Sources we check against

• Textbooks and study materials from the Japan Sommelier Association (J.S.A.)
• Official information published by wine producers and their importers

If you find an error

Please tell us. We'll verify the point, correct it, and record a "last updated" date on the corrected article.

Corrections are the most valuable feedback Vinami can receive.

Advertising and editorial independence

Vinami is funded by affiliate revenue from wine purchase links.

• Any section containing affiliate links is explicitly labelled as advertising
• Referral fees and commission rates never affect the order or assessment of the wines we list
• Wines featured in articles are chosen independently of any referral fee

Disclaimer

Descriptions of aroma and flavour are inherently subjective. The same wine will also give a different impression depending on the vintage, how it was stored, and how long it has been open. Please treat our content as a reference point.

Drinking under the age of 20 is prohibited by law in Japan. Please also avoid alcohol if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or driving.