About Kazama Koshu Dry
- Style
- White
- Grape Varieties
- Koshu
- Price Range
- ¥1,980
- Alcohol
- 12%
Kazama Koshu Dry is Kai Winery's Nouveau-style Koshu, part of the official 'Yamanashi Nouveau' (Yamanashi Wine Association) program that releases each year's newest wines on November 3, roughly a month after harvest. Made from 100% Koshu grapes grown in Koshu City, Yamanashi, it is vinified simply and bottled young, without the extended sur-lie aging used for the winery's standard Koshu bottling (Kazama Koshu Sur Lie). The result is a light, dry white that captures the fresh, still-youthful character and lively fermentation energy of the just-finished vintage, with citrus and green apple aromas and crisp acidity.
This is the wine to reach for if you want to taste a Koshu vintage at its most youthful — skip the Sur Lie's textured umami and go straight for the raw, just-fermented energy of the new harvest.
New to wine?
A once-a-year taste of the brand-new vintage — light, fresh, and an easy way to try Koshu for the first time.
Food Pairings
Its bright acidity and light body make it an easy match for simple, delicate dishes — sashimi, grilled white fish, or a light vegetable salad. Serve well chilled as an aperitif to celebrate the new vintage.
When to drink it
Celebrating the November 3rd Nouveau release, casual autumn gatherings, harvest-season toasts.
Terroir & Winemaking
100% Koshu from Koshu City, Yamanashi. Simple stainless-steel vinification and early bottling (no extended sur-lie aging), released as part of the Yamanashi Nouveau program on November 3, about a month after harvest. Dry, ABV 12%, cork closure, 750ml, requires refrigeration. Natural tartrate crystals may form due to high mineral and acid content without affecting quality.
About the producer
Kai Winery16 generations of history, self-grown Koshu and rare Barbera.甲州市, 山梨県 · Founded 1986Visit the producer page →Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Kazama Koshu Dry the same wine as Kazama Koshu Sur Lie?
- No. They are separate products with different product codes and prices. Kazama Koshu Sur Lie (¥2,640) is aged on its fine lees for several months for added texture and umami, while Kazama Koshu Dry (¥1,980) is a Nouveau-style wine bottled young and released each November 3rd as part of the Yamanashi Nouveau program, without extended lees aging.
- When is Kazama Koshu Dry released each year?
- It is released annually on November 3rd, about a month after harvest, as part of the official Yamanashi Wine Association 'Yamanashi Nouveau' program, alongside Nouveau releases from other Yamanashi wineries.
- What does Kazama Koshu Dry taste like?
- It is a dry, light-bodied white with citrus and green apple aromas, crisp acidity, and a fresh, youthful character that reflects the energy of the just-completed fermentation.
- What food pairs well with Kazama Koshu Dry?
- Its bright acidity and light body pair naturally with sashimi, simply grilled white fish, and other delicate Japanese dishes, making it a versatile choice for an everyday meal or a Nouveau-release celebration.
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