About Amasagi Plum Wine
- Style
- White, Sweet
- Grape Varieties
- Plum
- Price Range
- ¥1,600
- 720ml
- Alcohol
- 8.3%
Amasagi Plum Wine (marketed as "Takashiro") is the signature fruit wine of Amasagi Wine, a former third-sector winery based at the Amasagi Wine Castle tourist facility in Yurihonjo City (formerly Iwaki Town), Akita Prefecture. It is not a grape wine: it is made from 100% locally grown Japanese plums (Prunus salicina, known in Japan as "sumomo"). The plum flesh is centrifuged to extract pure juice, which is then fermented into a low-alcohol, pale-colored fruit wine. The result is a clean, crisp wine with a well-balanced natural plum sweetness and refreshing acidity, and a light, smooth finish — designed to appeal even to people who find dry grape wines too harsh.
Reportedly Japan's first commercially produced plum wine (launched in 1988) — a genuine 100% plum fruit wine, not a plum liqueur (umeshu), and a rare taste of Akita's now largely dormant plum-winemaking heritage.
New to wine?
A gentle, low-alcohol fruit wine — a good starting point for people who find grape wine's tannins or dryness intimidating.
Food Pairings
Best served chilled. Pairs well with light desserts, fresh fruit tarts, and mild cheeses; also works as an aperitif or with lightly sweetened Japanese dishes such as teriyaki-glazed grilled chicken.
When to drink it
A casual aperitif, a light dessert pairing, or a distinctive souvenir/gift representing Akita's plum-growing region.
Terroir & Winemaking
Produced by centrifuging the flesh of 100% Akita-grown plums to separate pure juice, which is then fermented at controlled low temperature — no grapes are used. Alcohol content is approximately 8.3% ABV, low compared to typical grape wines.
About the producer
Amasagi WineJapan's plum-wine pioneer since 1987, now on production hiatus.由利本荘市, 秋田県 · Founded 1987Visit the producer page →More wines from Amasagi Wine
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Amasagi Plum Wine made from grapes?
- No. It is a fruit wine made from 100% Japanese plums (Prunus salicina) grown in Iwaki, Akita Prefecture — no grapes are used.
- Is it the same as umeshu (plum liqueur)?
- No. Umeshu is a liqueur made by steeping plums in distilled alcohol and sugar, whereas Amasagi Plum Wine is produced by fermenting pure plum juice, similar to how grape wine is made.
- What is the alcohol content?
- Approximately 8.3% ABV, which is relatively low compared to standard grape wines.
- Is Amasagi Wine still producing this wine?
- Amasagi Wine suspended production at the end of March 2022 due to prolonged financial difficulties, so current stock is limited to remaining retailer inventory.
Want to know more about this wine?
Ask Vinami's sommelier — no intimidation, just answers.
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