About L'Orient Yamanashi Koshu
- Style
- White
- Grape Varieties
- Koshu
- Price Range
- ¥2,600-2,700
- 720ml
- Alcohol
- 12%
L'Orient Yamanashi Koshu is Shirayuri Winery's (L'Orient Wine, Katsunuma, Koshu City, Yamanashi) standard, year-round Koshu white, the white counterpart to 'L'Orient Yamanashi Bailey A' within the winery's core 'Yamanashi Series' (Yamanashi Koshu / Yamanashi Bailey A). Unlike the winery's seasonal nouveau 'L'Orient Koshu' (released each autumn, roughly ¥2,000-2,200, meant to be drunk young) and its dry, single-vineyard premium Koshu bottlings ('Vigne de Nakagawa,' 'Vigne de Shirayuri,' 'Fukuori Koshu,' 'Miyanoue Koshu' -- all officially 辛口/dry, GI Yamanashi, limited single-plot releases priced ¥3,850-¥11,000), Yamanashi Koshu is a GI Yamanashi-certified, tank-fermented, medium-dry (中口, officially registered as such with the GI Yamanashi association) blend of carefully selected Koshu grapes grown across the Koto (峡東) district -- Koshu City, Yamanashi City and Fuefuki City -- sold continuously as the winery's everyday standard white rather than as a seasonal or single-vineyard release. It shows aromas of Japanese pear and yuzu-like citrus, a gentle sweetness that lends smoothness, and a faint, structuring bitterness typical of Koshu. It has picked up steady recognition, winning Bronze medals at Decanter World Wine Awards in both 2024 and 2025 and at the Japan Wine Competition 2024, plus a Silver at Sakura Wine Award 2023.
The most approachable and food-friendly Koshu in Shirayuri's lineup -- where the single-vineyard bottlings show what Koshu can achieve, Yamanashi Koshu shows why people fall in love with it in the first place.
New to wine?
A friendly, gently off-dry introduction to Japan's native Koshu grape -- easier-drinking than the winery's dry, single-vineyard Koshu lines.
Food Pairings
Pairs beautifully with washoku dishes that share its gentle sweetness and citrus lift: simmered white fish (nitsuke), tempura, sushi, and yuzu-kosho-seasoned dishes. Also good with light salads, dashimaki tamago, or mildly spiced Asian fare such as mapo tofu, where the wine's touch of sweetness tames the heat.
When to drink it
Everyday dinners with Japanese food, casual gatherings, an easy year-round bottle for wine beginners.
Terroir & Winemaking
Made from selected Koshu grapes grown across the Koto (峡東) district of Yamanashi -- Koshu City, Yamanashi City and Fuefuki City -- tank-fermented (no oak) under the GI Yamanashi designation. Medium-dry (中口) style, 720ml, ABV approx. 12%. The 2024 vintage retails for ¥2,640 (tax included) via the official GI Yamanashi online shop; the current vintage rotates over time.
About the producer
L'Orient WineAward-winning Koshu served at the G7 Hiroshima Summit甲州市, 山梨県 · Founded 1938Visit the producer page →Frequently Asked Questions
- What makes L'Orient Yamanashi Koshu different from L'Orient Koshu (the nouveau)?
- Yamanashi Koshu is Shirayuri's year-round standard bottling, sold continuously, while 'L'Orient Koshu' is a seasonal nouveau released fresh each November and meant to be drunk young. They are separate products within the winery's lineup.
- Is L'Orient Yamanashi Koshu dry or sweet?
- It is a medium-dry (中口) style, officially registered as such with the GI Yamanashi association -- a gentle sweetness balanced by Koshu's characteristic faint bitterness, noticeably softer than the winery's dry, single-vineyard Koshu bottlings.
- Is L'Orient Yamanashi Koshu GI Yamanashi certified?
- Yes. It is registered with the Yamanashi Prefecture Wine Manufacturers' Association's GI Yamanashi program, made from Koshu grapes grown in the Koto district of Yamanashi Prefecture.
- What food pairs well with L'Orient Yamanashi Koshu?
- Its Japanese pear and citrus aromatics with a touch of sweetness pair naturally with Japanese cuisine -- simmered fish, tempura, sushi, and yuzu-kosho-seasoned dishes.
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