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Metropolis Japan
4 days ago
- Metropolis Japan
Yamanashi: The Wine Country of Japan
One thousand years ago, Buddhist monks' attempts of wine-making probably ended up in vinegar. But fast forward a millennium (past the isolation era), and Japan's wine-making is already making great strides, even winning international awards. Grapes were first brought to Japan 1,300 years ago by Buddhist monks via China and the Silk Road. These fruits originated in what is today's Georgia in the Caucasus region, however, due to the humidity and other factors, wine-making did not progress in the island nation. It was only at the end of the Sakoku (isolation) period and with the beginning of the Meiji era that the government started sending people to Europe to learn wine-making. Bringing back what they learned in Europe (tweaked to Japanese conditions) as well as fermentation facilities, Yamanashi Prefecture became home to the first wineries in Japan. Grape that has grown steadily in Yamanashi, Japan You might also be interested in: The Best Japanese Whiskies for Gifting. Government support for these efforts (to put Japan on the map of the world's best wine-makers) didn't stop after the Meiji era — the Japanese government is still backing wineries financially with subsidies, as well as helping with the PR abroad and simultaneously relaxing the process to get the certifications to open a winery. Photo courtesy of Yamanashi Tourism Association Today, there are over 60 wineries in Yamanashi, around the cities of Fuefuki, Kofu and Yamanashi. The wineries are so concentrated that one can easily walk between them, making this prefecture deserving of its nickname, 'the wine country of Japan.' Along with the native koshu grapes, in Yamanashi there are wineries growing all kinds of European grapes . They are grown both in trellises and hedge grow . This ens ures to give them the exact soil and the amount of sunlight they require. The prefecture is also the sponsor and host of the Japan Wine Competition . It takes place every July. M any wineries offer daily tours throughout the year. It takes only about two hours from Shinjuku Station . A taxi from Isawaonsen Station to the wineries will only cost about ¥2,000. You can buy Yamanashi wines in Tokyo, but the wineries do have exclusive reserves . This makes a visit even more worthwhile. With a 134-year-long history, Lumiere Winery stands among the oldest in Japan. Helmed by 5th-generation owner Shigeki Kida, the 30-hectare winery produces various types of wine. But Kida's personal pet project, orange wine, has especially soared in popularity recently. This is due to its unique taste and color; it's the fourth type of wine after red, white, and rosé. Despite its novelty and newfound fame around the world, orange wine has been made in Georgia for thousands of years, and in Slovenia for centuries. It's made by leaving the skin of white grapes in during initial fermentation. The liquor has been described as robust and bold. It has a honeyed and nutty aroma, and is famously well-paired with a wide range of foods. Made from native white koshu grapes, Lumiere's orange wine can be sampled and bought by the bottle in their winery. Their tours are very foreigner-friendly and are conducted in English several times a day. Aside from their vineyards and cellars, Lumiere has a stone fermentation tank dating back to the Meiji era . It is made from the same stones as Japanese castles. It's not only a testament to history, but is still used to this day to make wine as they did in the old times . Though now it's used only once a year. Locals are invited to participate in one particular wine-making process, in which Shinto rituals have also been incorporated. Your efforts will result in a wine they have named Ishigura, playing on ishi (stone). To top it all off, the winery is home to the Restaurant Zelkova. A chef prepares French dishes that pair well with Lumiere wines. They occasionally tweak the recipes to include uniquely Japanese ingredients. One such result of this is the red wine-infused bacon. One of the oldest wineries in Japan is definitely not afraid of innovation. In between visits to Yamanashi, or in preparation to visit, you can buy Japanese wines in Tokyo. But keep an eye on the labels. There are laws in place to ensure the customer is properly informed. The wines that bear a 'made in Japan' label must have been produced entirely in Japan. That means the grapes have been grown in Japan and the fermentation and aging processes have taken place in Japan. Today, 70 percent of the wines on the Japanese market are imported and only 6 percent are proudly Japanese wines. 'What about the rest?' You might wonder. That is where collaboration wines come in. These wines are fermented and made in Japan, but the grapes are imported from abroad, for instance from Chile. This lowers the cost of the wine while still ensuring a good quality. It also enables the wineries to create a range of prices that can cater to everyone's budget. This means that a label might read 'Japan & Chile wine,' thus giving recognition to the countries that produced the excellent grapes for the wine. You might also be interested in Japanese Wine: Chasing the Phantom Wine in Hokkaido. Let's end with a bit of history from the wine world. The Paris Wine Tasting of 1976—known as the Judgment of Paris—was a wine competition between French and Californian wines. Judges were supposed to blind taste both, almost in jest . I t was a common belief back then that French wines were well above all other wines in the world. Shockingly, Californian wines won. Careers of sommeliers were ruined, but the wine world learned a lesson: to acknowledge that newcomers have quality. So, to all the doubters out there, don't knock down Japanese wines until you've tried them. Yamanashi Prefecture has cellars full of the stuff, waiting. Kanpai. Official website of Yamanashi Tourism Chateau Lumiere website Originally published April 17, 2019. Updated for 2025.
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Twinning! Blank Park Zoo celebrates twin tamarin monkeys
DES MOINES, Iowa — The Blank Park Zoo celebrated the arrival of twin cotton-top tamarin's Saturday with Twin Day at the zoo. In February, Blank Park Zoo announced the arrival of twin cotton-top tamarins born to parents Kida and Eddie. Kida delivered a set of twins, Cailtin and Clark, around the same time in 2024. 'We are celebrating the power of pairs, of multiples,' said Alex Payne, Marketing Manager Blank Park Zoo. 'Kida, our cotton-top tamarin, just gave birth to her second set of twins in the last year so we thought it was a great opportunity to celebrate the power of twins, triplets, multiples.' Des Moines Public Schools pausing Central Campus Agriscience program Des Moines Mother of Multiples, an organization that supports and brings together mothers facing the challenges of raising multiples, was there providing resources to parents. Mother of Multiples honored mom Kida, who now has two sets of twins, with a membership into the group and has symbolically adopted mom Kida for the year. Cotton-top tamarins are considered critically endangered and are only found in Columbia. Blank Park says that makes these twins truly twice as special. 'It's really important to help make sure we have a healthy population of this species around the world,' said Payne. 'It's a really important conservation effort and being able to have two sets of twins born in the last year is really incredible.' The twins have not been named yet, but Payne says Blank Park will host a naming contest in the next couple months. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
It's baby season! Blank Park Zoo welcomes twin cotton-top tamarins
DES MOINES, Iowa — Baby season at zoos typically begins in the spring, but at the Blank Park Zoo the delightful season came early. On Wednesday zoo officials announced the birth of twin cotton-top tamarins. The twins were born on Tuesday to mother, Kida, and father, Eddie. They join Kida's other twins, Caitlin and Clark, who were born nearly one year ago on February 22, 2024. Boys State Wrestling Tourney starts; changes for fans at venue According to Blank Park Zoo, cotton-top tamarins are one of the most endangered primates in the world. Due to habitat loss and the illegal pet trade it's estimated that the wild population of cotton-top tamarins is less than 6,000. The birth of the twins marks an important step in ensuring the survival of the species, the zoo said. 'The birth of these twins is a wonderful moment for not only Blank Park Zoo, but for the conservation of this critically endangered species,' Anne Shimerdla, president and CEO of Blank Park Zoo, said. 'Through our partnership with the AZA's Species Survival Plan and Proyecto Tití, we are making a meaningful impact on the future of cotton-top tamarins.' The zoo said the public will have the chance to name the newborns later this spring, just like they did with naming Caitlin and Clark. Visitors can see the twins in the Discovery Center. The zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Iowa News: Bird flu detected in Sac County turkey flock It's baby season! Blank Park Zoo welcomes twin cotton-top tamarins Iowa State Fair Board selects replacement for former Steer 'N' Stein location WHO 13 Farm Report: Wednesday, February 19th Boys State Wrestling Tourney starts; changes for fans at venue Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Who at the Blank Park Zoo is expecting twins again?
DES MOINES, Iowa — The Blank Park Zoo announced on Thursday that their cotton-top tamarin Kida is pregnant with twins! Kida might sound familiar as she's the mother of twins Caitlin and Clark who were born in February 2024. The zoo said it's excited to see Kida be a mother once again as both Caitlin and Clark have thrived under her care. Cedar Rapids granted casino license by IRGC 'Kida has been an exceptional mother, and we're thrilled to see her expanding her family once again,' Anne Shimerdla, Blank Park Zoo president and CEO, said. 'Each new birth is a crucial step in the conservation of this critically endangered species, and we're excited to share this journey with our community.' The zoo said the twins should arrive sometime this spring. To celebrate the news the zoo will be hosting a Guess the Birth Date Contest, where people can guess Kida's birth date for a chance to win a family membership to the zoo. A baby shower for Kida will be held during the Meet the Mayor event on February 15 and once the twins are born the community can help name them like they did for Caitlin and Clark. To learn more about the contest visit the zoo's website. Iowa News: Who at the Blank Park Zoo is expecting twins again? Forecast: When parts of Iowa could see snowfall Saturday and next week WHO 13 Farm Report: Thursday, February 6th Cedar Rapids granted casino license by IRGC Arrested Madison County Treasurer relieved of duties, board appoints interim treasurer Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
