Celebrating National Drink Wine Day with a Toast to Japanese Ingenuity

Drink Wine Day

Every February 18th, wine enthusiasts around the world raise their glasses to celebrate National Drink Wine Day. While dedicating just one day to this beloved beverage may seem limited, the occasion serves as a reminder to appreciate the rich history, cultural significance, and numerous health benefits associated with wine. In this spirit, let's explore a fascinating wine with a unique story behind it: Chanmoris Yamanashi Muscat Bailey A RED, a Japanese wine that pays homage to the perseverance and innovation of Zenbei Kawakami, the "grandfather of Japanese wine."

Origins of National Drink Wine Day

While the exact origins of National Drink Wine Day remain unknown, it is believed to have been created by a passionate winemaker or connoisseur. This annual event joins the ranks of other wine holidays that dot the calendar, serving as a delightful reminder to indulge in the pleasure of enjoying a good bottle of wine. Although any day is a good day to savor wine, having a dedicated day emphasizes the cultural and social significance of this timeless beverage.

A Toast to Japanese Ingenuity

Chanmoris Yamanashi Muscat Bailey A RED stands out as a wine with a compelling narrative, rooted in the Meiji Era (1868-1912) in Japan. During this period, European wine grapes faced challenges adapting to Japan's cold weather and rough terrain, withering on the vine in most cases. Enter Zenbei Kawakami, a visionary known as the "grandfather of Japanese wine," who transformed the landscape of Japanese winemaking.

Kawakami's perseverance led him to the Iwanohara Vineyard in the snowy Niigata Prefecture, where he faced initial failures in cultivating wine grapes. Undeterred, he shifted his focus from improving cultivation methods to developing a grape variety resilient enough to thrive in Japan's harsh climate. The breakthrough came with the creation of Muscat Bailey A, a hybrid grape variety born from the Bailey and Muscat Hamburg grapes.

As we raise our glasses in celebration of National Drink Wine Day, let's not only savor the exquisite taste of our favorite wines but also appreciate the cultural and historical significance that these beverages bring to our lives. Chanmoris Yamanashi Muscat Bailey A RED serves as a testament to the indomitable spirit of winemakers like Zenbei Kawakami, whose innovation continues to be celebrated with each sip of this unique Japanese wine.