About this wine
Koshu Sakura Jizo is Nikkawa Winery's flagship white wine, made from 100% Koshu grapes grown in Katsunuma, Yamanashi. The wine takes its name from the 'Sakura Jizo' vineyard plot, named for the four-season cherry trees that bloom there even in winter — a field that also holds childhood memories for founder Kazuo Yoshihara, who recalls sumo tournaments once held on the site. Widely regarded as Nikkawa's most balanced and approachable bottling, it is the recommended first pour for newcomers to the winery. The label's bird-on-vine illustration is by children's book artist Yoshitaka Tagashira, reflecting the winery's warm, homespun character.
The easiest way to meet Nikkawa Winery — clean, crisp, and unmistakably Koshu.
Sommelier's Note
"Nikkawa's most complete Koshu to date — a small-production wine that captures Katsunuma's terroir with honest, unfussy precision."
Food Pairings
A versatile, food-friendly Koshu that pairs beautifully with sashimi, tempura, and other delicate Japanese dishes; its crisp citrus profile also complements sushi and lightly seasoned seafood.
When to drink it
Casual sushi or izakaya dinners, spring gatherings, and warm-weather aperitifs.
Specs
- Grape Varieties
- Koshu
- Style
- White
- Alcohol
- 13%
- Vintage
- 2023
- Price Range
- ¥1,500-2,000
Terroir & Winemaking
Produced from 100% Koshu grapes harvested in Katsunuma. Vinified as a slightly dry (yaya-karakuchi) style white, bottled at 720ml with an ABV of approximately 13%. Nikkawa differentiates its Koshu bottlings by harvest timing and by sur-lie or barrel-aging treatment; Sakura Jizo is crafted as the winery's fresh, everyday-style expression.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does Koshu Sakura Jizo taste like?
- It shows fresh citrus and light stone-fruit aromas with a crisp, well-balanced acidity and a clean, fruit-forward finish typical of Katsunuma Koshu.
- Where does the name 'Sakura Jizo' come from?
- It is named after the Sakura Jizo vineyard plot at Nikkawa Winery, planted with four-season cherry trees that bloom even in winter.
- What food pairs best with this wine?
- Sashimi, tempura, and other delicate Japanese dishes pair especially well, as does sushi and lightly seasoned seafood.
- Is this wine dry or sweet?
- It is vinified in a slightly dry (yaya-karakuchi) style, typical of food-friendly Koshu whites.
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甲州 予言のトリ
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Koshu Prophecy Bird is Nikkawa Winery's richer, full-bodied take on Japan's indigenous Koshu grape, made from 100% Katsunuma-grown fruit. Where the winery's flagship Sakura Jizo shows Koshu's classic light, crisp side, Prophecy Bird is vinified for weight and depth, aiming to prove the variety's potential beyond its 'delicate and thin' reputation. The label depicts the 'Yogen no Tori' (Prophecy Bird / Yogennotori) — a two-headed bird said to have appeared on Mt. Hakusan in late 1857 and foretold the cholera epidemic that struck Japan the following year, according to an Edo-period record held by the Yamanashi Prefectural Museum. The image resurfaced widely in spring 2020 as a folk talisman against COVID-19, alongside the better-known yokai Amabie, and Nikkawa Winery adopted it for this cuvee as a wish for the drinker's health and safety.
マスカット・ベーリーA ロゼ
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