We are starting to see signs of the coming Fall season in the mountains of Nagano. The local farmers are preparing the fields for the rice harvest, which starts mid-month, and the soba fields are now covered in white flowers. The temperature is also dropping, and we are awakening to mornings in the high teens … Continue reading September Recommendations
Nagano Wine & Cidre Garden
The Nagano Wine & Cidre Garden, Nagano city’s wine festival, is a “must-do” for Nagano wine lovers. The Friends of Nagano Wine attended the wine festival on Saturday, August 24. The weather was beautiful and the temperature perfect for a day of wine tasting. Over twenty wineries ranging from smaller producers such as Izutsu, ALPS … Continue reading Nagano Wine & Cidre Garden
August Recommendations
Summer has arrived in Nagano. The usually brief rainy season is over and the prefecture is less troubled by typhoons than localities on Japan’s Pacific Coast. Nagano also does not suffer as much from Japan’s summer heat as its neighbors in Yamanashi, Gumma, and Saitama prefectures. One reason is the higher elevation – generally over … Continue reading August Recommendations
Wine & Cidre Festival in Nagano 2019
All, please mark your calendars for Nagano City's annual wine and cider festival, this year billed as the Wine & Cidre Garden in Nagano 2019! The Friends of Nagano Wine plan to attend on August 24 and hope to see you there. Date and Time: August 23 (18:00-21:00) August 24 (12:00-21:00) August 25 (12:00-21:00) Location: Minamichitose … Continue reading Wine & Cidre Festival in Nagano 2019
July Recommendations
July is one of those in between months in Japan: rainy at the start and then full-on summer by the close. We are bringing to you three wines that should help you through the transition. Interestingly, two of them are made from Japanese local varietals and the third is a successful experiment in combining Chardonnay grapes from different vintages.
June Recommendations
We would like to recommend some Nagano Chardonnays to start your summer off right. Both of the wines featured below are made in relatively small volumes, but you should be able to get your hands on either one through the producer's online shop or a major online shopping site. Happy drinking.
Alps Winery Seminar and Tasting
On March 26, 2019, the Friends of Nagano Wine hosted Mr. Manabu Yagasaki, CEO and winemaker of Alps winery. Mr. Yagasaki studied at Oregon State University with Professor Walter Clore, who is widely known as the "father of wine" in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Alps is one of the largest and most … Continue reading Alps Winery Seminar and Tasting
Alps Winery Tasting–CLOSED
Our next tasting event features the wines of ALPS Winery located in Shiojiri, Nagano. ALPS Winery CEO Manabu Yagasaki will present a range of wines from the winery. Date: May 26, 2019 Time: 2:00pm to 4:00pm Location: Ginza NAGANO Participation is limited to 15 people on a first come first serve basis. We request payment … Continue reading Alps Winery Tasting–CLOSED
