Seven Shiojiri Wines Win Gold, the Most of Any Municipality in Japan
Seven wines from Shiojiri in Nagano Prefecture won gold at the Japan Wine Competition 2026, and two of them took the top prize.
The results of the Japan Wine Competition 2026, one of the largest competitions in the country judging wines made in Japan, have been announced. Seven wines produced in Shiojiri, Nagano Prefecture, won gold medals, the highest number of golds for any municipality in Japan. Two of them, from Chateau Mercian Kikyogahara Winery, were awarded the top prize, the Grand Gold Award. In Japan, a country known for sake, the result suggests that appreciation for its winemaking is growing.
A Benchmark for the Quality of Japanese Wine
The Japan Wine Competition is one of the largest judging events in the country, open to wines made in Japan. In Japan, the term “Japan Wine” is used only for wine made from grapes grown in Japan and produced in Japan. It is distinguished from wine made with imported grape juice or imported wine, and the competition serves as a place to compare the strength of Japan’s wine regions. The Grand Gold Award, ranked above gold, is the highest rating of the year.
Why Shiojiri Earned the Top Honours
Shiojiri is a highland town in the centre of Nagano Prefecture, inland and about 200 kilometres west of Tokyo. All seven gold-winning wines were made at wineries within the city, and two of them received the top prize. The winning Chateau Mercian Kikyogahara Winery is located in the city’s Soga district. Kikyogahara is known as a region that began cultivating Merlot early in Japan. Having the most golds of any municipality in the country has reaffirmed Shiojiri’s position as one of Japan’s leading wine regions.
How to Enjoy Japanese Wine in Europe
Japanese wine is still not often seen in Europe, but bottles labelled as from Nagano or Shiojiri are gradually turning up in Japanese grocery shops and specialist wine merchants. When looking for them, pay attention to the region stated on the label and the “Japan Wine” designation. Japanese wines are often said to have gentle fruit and clean acidity. Their qualities are easy to appreciate when paired with dishes made with soy sauce or mirin, yakitori and mushroom dishes. Another approach is to taste them alongside Bordeaux or Burgundy to see how the same grape varieties turn out on a Japanese plateau.
Sources
This article was written by The Sake Wire editorial team, summarising the public sources listed above. Images are our own.
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