About Cuvée Misawa Akeno Koshu
- Style
- White
- Grape Varieties
- Koshu
- Price Range
- ¥7,500-9,500
- Alcohol
- 11%
Cuvée Misawa Akeno Koshu is Grace Wine's flagship single-vineyard Koshu, grown on trellis-trained vines in the Misawa Vineyard in Akeno, Hokuto City, Yamanashi — an area with the longest sunshine hours in Japan at roughly 700m elevation. Made from Koshu grapes cultivated since 1992 without chaptalization, acid adjustment, or sur lie aging, it lets the grape's natural character speak for itself. The 2013 vintage became the first Japanese wine to win a Gold Medal and Regional Trophy at the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) in 2014, and later vintages went on to win further DWWA Platinum and Gold honors, cementing this cuvée's status as a landmark for Japanese Koshu.
The wine that put Japanese Koshu on the world map — the first Japanese wine ever to win Gold and a Regional Trophy at the Decanter World Wine Awards. If you want proof that Koshu can be world-class, start here.
New to wine?
The wine that proved Japanese Koshu can compete on the world stage — clean, precise, and effortlessly food-friendly.
Food Pairings
A natural match for delicate Japanese cuisine — sushi, sashimi, tempura, and steamed white fish. Its crisp acidity and citrus-mineral core also complement grilled seafood, chawanmushi, and light herb-dressed vegetable dishes.
When to drink it
Special celebrations, fine Japanese dining, or as a standout gift for wine enthusiasts curious about Japan's flagship white grape.
Terroir & Winemaking
Hand-harvested Koshu from trellis-trained vines planted from 1992 onward in the Misawa Vineyard (Akeno, ~700m elevation). Fermented in stainless steel at controlled low temperatures; no chaptalization, acid adjustment, or sur lie aging is used, preserving the grape's natural aromatics of green apple, pear, white flowers, fennel, and a mineral, seashell-like finish.
About the producer
Grace WineJapan's most internationally decorated winery: first Japanese Gold Medal and Regional Trophy at Decanter World Wine Awards (Cuvée Misawa Akeno Koshu 2013); Asia's first sparkling Platinum (Grace Extra Brut 2011); Cuvée Misawa Akeno 2016 scored 98 points at DWWA; selected as World Top 10 Wine by Bloomberg; JWA 2025 five-star winner. Misawa Vineyard at 700m elevation, Japan's longest sunshine region.甲州市, 山梨県 · Founded 1923Visit the producer page →Frequently Asked Questions
- What makes Cuvée Misawa Akeno Koshu special?
- Its 2013 vintage became the first Japanese wine to win a Gold Medal and Regional Trophy at the Decanter World Wine Awards, proving Koshu can achieve world-class quality.
- What does it taste like?
- Crisp acidity with aromas of green apple, pear, white flowers, and fennel, finishing with a distinct seashell-like minerality.
- What food pairs well with it?
- It pairs beautifully with Japanese cuisine, especially sushi, sashimi, tempura, and other delicate seafood dishes.
- Where are the grapes grown?
- In the Misawa Vineyard in Akeno, Hokuto City, Yamanashi, at roughly 700m elevation — an area with the longest sunshine hours in Japan.
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