About Opening Act Koshu
- Style
- White
- Grape Varieties
- Koshu
- Price Range
- ¥2,530
- Alcohol
- 11.5
Opening Act Koshu is the standard, entry-level bottling in Cfa Backyard Winery's flagship 'Opening Act' series, distinct from the winery's Tochigi-estate BURLESQUE line: it is made from 100% Koshu grapes sourced from Yamanashi Prefecture rather than the winery's own vineyard. Released under a back-to-basics ('origin return') label design, the current 2024 vintage is fermented in stainless steel to preserve freshness, producing a dry, pale-yellow wine at 11.5% ABV in a 750ml bottle sealed with a hand-openable Vinolok glass closure. It shows aromas of lemon compote, peach, lily of the valley, and mint, with a soft, textured attack, smooth acidity, and a lingering sweet-fruit finish — a fruity, pop-style reinterpretation designed to challenge conventional ideas about Koshu. An earlier (2022) vintage of Opening Act Koshu won a gold medal at the Sakura Award, an international wine competition judged entirely by women in the wine trade. Note: the bronze medal Cfa Backyard Winery received at the Japan Wine Competition 2024 was awarded to the related but distinct 'Opening Act Koshu OF' orange-wine bottling, not to this standard cuvee.
The most accessible expression in Cfa Backyard Winery's Opening Act range — a pop, fruit-forward take on Koshu that is easy to recommend to anyone new to Japanese wine.
New to wine?
A light, refreshing, and easy-drinking Koshu — a great entry point into Japanese wine for beginners.
Food Pairings
Pairs beautifully with delicate Japanese dishes such as sashimi of white fish, salt-grilled fish, and tempura, as well as light seafood and citrus-forward appetizers.
When to drink it
Ideal for casual weeknight dinners, weekend brunches, or as a refreshing aperitif.
Terroir & Winemaking
100% Koshu grapes grown in Yamanashi Prefecture (not the winery's own Tochigi vineyard used for the BURLESQUE line). Current release: 2024 vintage, dry, pale yellow, 11.5% ABV, 750ml bottle, Vinolok glass closure (openable by hand). Aromas of lemon compote, peach, lily of the valley, and mint. Distinct from its sister cuvees: 'Opening Act Koshu AZ' (2024 vintage aged with light-toast oak chips, lemon-yellow color, 11.5% ABV, ¥3,300) and 'Opening Act Koshu OF' (2023 vintage, dry orange wine, straw-yellow color, 12.0% ABV, ¥2,860, bronze medal at Japan Wine Competition 2024) — the standard bottling here uses no oak and is vinified as a conventional dry white, not an orange wine.
About the producer
Cfa Backyard WineryGarage winery reinventing Japan's native grape varieties足利市, 栃木県 · Founded 2012Visit the producer page →Frequently Asked Questions
- What does Opening Act Koshu taste like?
- It has aromas of lemon compote, peach, lily of the valley, and mint, with a soft, rounded attack, smooth acidity, and a lingering sweet-fruit finish — a fruity, easy-drinking dry white.
- What food does it pair with?
- It pairs well with delicate Japanese dishes such as sashimi of white fish, salt-grilled fish, and tempura.
- How is it different from Opening Act Koshu AZ and Opening Act Koshu OF?
- The standard Opening Act Koshu is a stainless-steel-fermented dry white made from Yamanashi-grown Koshu. Opening Act Koshu AZ is a limited cuvee aged with oak chips (lemon-yellow color), and Opening Act Koshu OF is a limited orange wine (straw-yellow, 12.0% ABV) that won a bronze medal at the Japan Wine Competition 2024 — the three differ in winemaking process, color, and flavor.
- What closure does the bottle use?
- It uses a Vinolok glass closure, which can be opened by hand without a corkscrew or sommelier knife.
Want to know more about this wine?
Ask Vinami's sommelier — no intimidation, just answers.
Talk to the Sommelier