Osaka winery wins two golds at France's Vinalies

When people think of Japanese wine, many picture Yamanashi or Nagano. But Kashiwara, in eastern Osaka, also has a long-established grape-growing area. Katashimo Winery, based there, has won two golds at Vinalies Internationales 2026, held in France: its Japanese brandy “Budoka Rei 52-do” took gold in the brandy category, and its white wine “Gomyozan Nansei-batake Katashimo Hon Budo 2025” took gold in the white wine category.

Two bottles praised in France’s blind tasting

Vinalies Internationales is an international competition that began in 1994. Each year around 3,000 entries arrive from many countries, and experts from around the world judge them in blind tastings with the labels concealed. The competition is certified to the international quality-management standard ISO 9001 and is backed by three international bodies, including the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV). In 2026, 2,684 entries were submitted by 550 producers worldwide. Among them, a single Japanese winery won gold for both a wine and a spirit.

Brandy made from Osaka Delaware grapes

“Budoka Rei 52-do”, the winner in the brandy category, is a Japanese brandy at 52% alcohol by volume. It is made from Delaware grapes that have been grown in Osaka for more than 100 years. Delaware is a small-berried variety of North American origin, and in Japan it has mainly been enjoyed as a table grape. Turning that grape into a distilled spirit and winning international recognition is what makes this brandy interesting.

A white wine from a native grape handed down for nearly 140 years

The white wine winner in its category, “Gomyozan Nansei-batake Katashimo Hon Budo 2025”, is made from Katashimo Hon Budo, a grape that Katashimo Winery has cultivated for nearly 140 years. The winery hopes this award will make Osaka’s grapes known around the world and help secure the future of the growing area.

For European readers, this award is noteworthy for two reasons. First, it shows that Japan produces more than sake and whisky: there are also wines and brandies made from grapes grown in Japan. Second, grapes from a lineage different from European vine varieties have been recognised in a French blind tasting. For now, the two bottles are sold only through the winery’s direct sales shop and online shop. If you see the names “Katashimo” or “Kashiwara” on the list of a specialist Japanese wine shop or restaurant in Europe, it is worth trying. You might enjoy the brandy after a meal in small measures in a tulip-shaped glass, starting with the aroma, and pair the white wine with light fish or vegetable dishes to compare it with the European whites you know well.