Teppei: If people are familiar with European or American wines, what makes Japanese wines stand out is how delicate and refined they are. Perhaps I should say it is the definition of fine wine. Japanese wines tend to shy away from some of the more robust or bold flavors you find in the West, aiming for something more elegant instead.

Japanese wine has evolved to match the Japanese palate, and for that reason you have many lighter wines that are popular with women. These crisper options won’t overpower delicate dishes. But to find out how they appeal to your own tastes, you’ll have to try them for yourself!

A lot of people ask me what country’s wines are most similar to those made in Japan. As an experienced sommelier, I can safely say that they are in a category of their own.

It is worth remembering that one of our vineyards in the town of Yoichi—which is also home to Nikka Whiskey’s Hokkaido factory—is actually on roughly the same latitude as the great vineyards of Europe, although it is also colder here on average. Even if the variety of grapes is the same as those grown in Europe, by growing them in the unique climate of Japan, the possibilities that can be explored are completely different.

Timothy: As a New Yorker, I originally tried to compare Japanese wine with the Western wine I was familiar with. If you love wine, that can be a lot of fun. But, as you say, the more you think about it, the more you realize that Japanese wine is a world of its own.

Until now, there hasn’t been a particularly strong image of Japanese wine abroad. But, suddenly, out of nowhere, vineyards that no one had heard of started to win major awards. That is when people stood up and took notice.

The international wine industry has recognized Japanese wine, and now it is time for people to actually start drinking it! These days, you can easily find award-winning Japanese wines priced very reasonably wherever you go in Japan—so it is a great time for people to explore and find out for themselves.

Teppei: Grande Polaire takes its name from French and means “the great North Star.” As you might know, Polaris is the brightest star in the night sky wherever you are in the world. This label was founded with that desire to shine out as a beautiful beacon for the best of Japanese wine.

There are actually four vineyards spread across Japan that complete Grande Polaire lineup. Unlike France, where vineyards tend to be concentrated in a limited area, one of the attractions of Grande Polaire lies in how it finds the best area for each variety of grapes and the optimal wine-making climate. From Hokkaido in the far north to Nagano, Yamanashi, and Okayama Prefectures stretching across the main island of Honshu, the unique character of each area is allowed to shine through. There are also single-vineyard wines for which every grape is sourced from one area. This allows for precise quality control.

Of course, this is a completely made-in-Japan wine produced using premium Japanese grapes. If you think you have tried everything, then the Grande Polarie Dry Koshu made from the distinctively fruity Koshu grapes that are indigenous to Japan is for you. This combination of Japanese quality and production that draws on the unique conditions found only in Japan makes for a truly premium wine that may surprise you!

Timothy: From my perspective, because there is less of a focus on vintage wine in Japan, you can find great wines at a very competitive price. That is great for the wine lover, as they really can indulge in the best.

Until recently, there wasn’t such an image of Japan as having premium wines. But with labels such as Grande Polaire, that is quickly changing—especially if you don’t know what to order. Having a label that you can trust is a great way to start exploring new wines.

Teppei: As sommelier, my goal is to make sure that the customer enjoys the wine and that it matches their food. Most visitors from abroad who come to this wine bar don’t have a lot of experience with Japanese wines, so I want to show them something that will leave a distinct memory of Japanese wine.

The Grande Polaire Dry Koshu mentioned earlier is just that. By fermenting the grapes at a low temperature, you get a wine with real depth that is still crisp and fruity. As we head into the summer, this is a great wine to enjoy with Japanese food—really accessible for everyone, but still with a taste that could only be Japanese. I would also recommend it for those who wouldn’t usually drink wine.

If someone comes in wanting to try absolutely anything, they are my dream customer. I can take them on a journey across Japan through the Grande Polaire range. I try and understand the customer and listen carefully to what they enjoy. For dry, refreshing citrus-infused wine, I have the Grande Polaire Azuminoikeda Sauvignon Blanc. For something smooth to relax with, there is the Grande Polaire Yoichi Pinot Noir.

Timothy: When it comes to wine, I am naturally drawn to reds. So, for me, the Okayama Muscat Bailey A Barrelaged was a great entry point. It is probably the heaviest of the selection and, even though it is pretty robust, you can really taste the sunny weather of the Okayama area through those muscat grapes. Japanese grapes really are delicious!

I advise everyone to start as I did and choose a wine in line with their preferences. From there, you can start to experiment. Especially at a wine bar such as this, you can order by the half glass to try lots of different varieties in a single sitting. Or, if you want a random surprise from the sommelier, order the “secret wine”!

I hope that more people from abroad will start getting into Japanese wine and wine culture. There is so much to enjoy!

Teppei: Of course, soil condition and climate are really important, but what really makes Grande Polaire stand out is the size of the barrels and distilling tanks. Everything is really small scale, and that system allows the winemakers to be in control of every step of the distillation process. It is that artisanal approach that makes for a premium wine.

Timothy: The thing that really strikes me is how much Japanese wineries experiment with the process. People observe tradition but aren’t afraid to break the mold. Japanese wineries deserve recognition for that.

Ironically, a lot of Western wineries don’t try anything new despite having long histories. Japan is full of innovation in wine right now, but winemakers here never forget how important the role of nature is—especially in these wines, as there are no artificial flavors.

Teppei: While the basic rule that white wines work well with fish and reds with meat holds true, you can really fine tune your wine to resonate with the flavors of the food. A good example of breaking the rules is Japanese wagyu beef. If the meat is on the fatty side, a white wine would be my recommendation to balance the strong flavors.

The Grande Polaire Dry Koshu works exceptionally well with most washoku (Japanese cuisine), but here we also recommend it for French-style honey orange chicken. Coincidentally, both the wine and the kemmi-brand chicken are from Yamanashi Prefecture. Building those connections through wine pairing is one of the real pleasures of my job.

Timothy: I am already looking at the menu and seeing Okayama’s Grande Polaire paired with Hokkaido’s grilled venison—seems like such a perfect pairing.

For the full Grande Polaire wine lineup as well as fabulous food to match, make a date with the Grande Polaire Winebar Tokyo. As the temperature rises from late spring through the long Japanese summer, the front of the wine bar is opened up to the Ginza streets, making for a convivial environment in which you can relax and enjoy the sultry summer nights.

The easy-to-navigate menu pairs fine wine with a variety of global cuisine made with carefully sourced Japanese ingredients. For a perfect Ginza night spent with fine Japanese wine at the heart of the city’s style hub, head for the Grande Polaire Winebar Tokyo.

For more information on the Grande Polaire story, check out the link below.