Export certification organization National Research Institute of Brewing (Higashihiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture) announced on November 19 that the original winemaking grape “Yamasachi” has been registered as a grape variety by the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV, Paris). The grape variety was developed by eastern Hokkaido’s Ikeda-cho Grape and Wine Research Institute. This is the third variety registered from Japan, and the first from Hokkaido.
In an effort to increase international name recognition for Yamasachi grapes, the Ikeda town government applied for registration with the comprehensive viticulture and grape variety research organization OIV through the National Research Institute of Brewing in June of last year. From aspects including genetic analysis data, the grape was recognized as a unique variety, and subsequently registered. Yamasachi wine can now have its variety name printed on labels for export to countries in the European Union.
Yamasachi is an original red wine grape variety crossing the European derived “Kiyomi” with crimson glory vine grapes. It was registered as a grape variety in 2006 by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. It is the main component of wines like the Tokachi Wine “Yamasachi” wine. It has better cold-resistance than European derived varieties, and is thus being cultivated ever more widely across both eastern and northern Hokkaido.
Mayor Yasui, who served as the head of the Ikeda-cho Grape and Wine Research Institute up to September and was involved in developing the Yamasachi grape, reported joyfully, “I am very happy that an original grape variety born in the harsh natural environment of Ikeda has been recognized.”