Akita's wine grapes ship for the 40th year, with high sugar levels despite long spells of rain

40 years of contract growing in a small northern wine region

Akita Prefecture lies on the Sea of Japan side of northern Honshu and is known as a rice-growing heartland for sake. In Omori, an inland district of Yokote, shipments of this year’s wine grapes began on 10 September 2026. The grapes are grown by a producers’ association made up of four farms. The association has a contract with Mercian, one of Japan’s major wine makers, and manages a vineyard of about 3 hectares. Wine made from Omori grapes first went on sale in 1986, so this year marks its 40th anniversary. On the first day, 8.5 tonnes were sent to a winery in Yamanashi Prefecture, the heartland of Japanese wine. This year’s shipments are expected to total about 14 tonnes, and the wine is due to go on sale from May 2027.

Less fruit after the long rains, but higher sugar levels

Rain continued from late August into early September, and the yield was expected to fall by about 2 tonnes. On the other hand, the weather was fine from May to July, when the berries grow, and sugar levels were higher than in a typical year. Takao Sanuki, head of the producers’ association, said the bunches were large and the grapes were of good quality, and he expressed hope that they would make good wine. Rain before the harvest is a worry for wine grapes, but this year the weather during the growing season supported quality.

Zweigelt opens up possibilities for red wine

Another point worth noting is Zweigelt, a red wine variety on which trial cultivation began three years ago. Also known simply as Zweigelt, it is the most widely planted black grape in Austria, so European readers will probably know it well. It is relatively hardy in the cold and is also grown in cool regions of Japan such as Hokkaido. In Omori, about 2 tonnes were harvested this year, and there are hopes that it will be turned into a commercial red wine.

When looking for Japanese wine in Europe, the words “Nihon Wine” on the label are a useful guide. Under Japan’s labelling rules, the term can be used only for wine made in Japan from grapes grown in Japan. With wines from grapes grown in snow country, it is worth paying attention to how the acidity typical of a cool region balances against a high sugar level such as this year’s. For those familiar with Zweigelt from Austria or Germany, it will also be interesting to see what kind of red wine the same variety produces in northern Japan, and how its commercial release develops.