Japan Wine Challenge
In late July, 10 international and 25 Japanese judges tasted their way through 1,650 entries to the 11th Japan Wine Challenge that was held at Tokyo's Sheraton Hotel. The judges sleceted the best of the best from five different categories but what is really impressive in the number of Japanese judges on the panel.
When the Japan Wine Challenge started only fifty percent of the judges were Japanese. Japanese judges now have a majority voice on the panel due, in part, to the training that the group has provided in association with the masters of wine in London.
Steven Spurrier, know worldwide for his unbiased palate, and organizer the famous Judgment of Paris in 1976, provided an overview of the wine producing countries favored by the Japanese when he said:
"I think Australia is slipping a bit in Japan, and Chile is coming up fast," he said. "France is still dominant, Italy is second, and California really hasn't made an impact."
So what wines were chosen by the judges of the 11th Japan Wine Challenge? Here they are with their respective categories:
• Best Champagne/Sparkling Wine - Champagne Philipponnat Cuvee "1522" Grand Cru 2000
• Best Old World White Wine - Schloss Vollrads Erstes Gewerstraminer 2005
• Best New World White Wine - Wignalls Chardonnay 2007
• Best New World Red Wine - Daniel Schuster Omihi Selection Pinot Noir 2006
• Best Value Wine - Porta Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2007
Read more about the winning wines and the impact that the Japan Wine Challenge has on Japanese wine sales in the article "Taking the Japan Wine Challenge" by The Japan Times.