[Hokkaido Wine Co., Ltd.] Hokkaido wine “Northern Blend 2023” won the gold medal and the highest Japanese award “Best Wine from Japan” at the “Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Competition 2024”
Hokkaido Wine Co., Ltd. Press release: November 7, 2024 Hokkaido wine “Northern Blend 2023” won the gold medal and the highest Japanese award “Best Wine from Japan” at the “Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Competition 2024” – A total of 5 items won awards in the wine award category- Hokkaido Wine Co., Ltd. (Head office location: Otaru City, Hokkaido, hereinafter referred to as the Company) announced that the wine “Northern Blend 2023” brewed by the company was selected at one of the largest international alcoholic beverage competitions in Asia, the results of which were announced on Thursday, November 7th. CATHAY was the only Japanese wine to win a gold medal at the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Competition 2024, as well as the “Best Wine From Japan” trophy, which is given to the wine with the highest rating among the Japanese wines submitted. I would like to inform you that. At this competition, five of our wines won awards (1 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze), including “Northern Blend 2023”, and all of our wines received “GI Hokkaido” certification for using grapes from Hokkaido. The award was given to the wine. We believe that this award is significant as it shows Hokkaido’s presence as a wine producing region even further to the world. ◇ CATHAY “Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Competition (HKIWSC)” One of the largest international alcoholic beverage competitions in Asia, held every year in Hong Kong and now in its 16th year. Judging will be conducted in a blind tasting format by international judges, including masters of wine, master sommeliers and other experts, and top food and beverage professionals. HKIWSC Official Website https://hkiwsc.com/
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/140719/11/140719-11-96aab16d9aa7b64deede6af3e48d6c75-1474×1110.jpg HKIWSC award ceremony on Thursday, November 7, 2024 (Venue: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, Center of photo: President Kimihiro Shimamura) ◆Gold Award [GOLD 2024 – 95pts]・Best Wine From Japan Trophy Award Winning Wine
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/140719/11/140719-11-ac6c90a278e6da312a0df6252c57ca41-2500×1313.jpg “Northern Blend 2023” won the “Gold Award” and “Best Wine From Japan” trophy “Northern Blend 2023” [Now on sale] (White/Dry, 750ml, 12% alcohol) GI Hokkaido certified product Suggested retail price: 1,936 yen (1,760 yen) JAN code: 4990583-318950 A blended wine made from grapes grown in the cool climate of Hokkaido. It is characterized by a refreshing aroma reminiscent of grapefruit, lime, and herbs, and a light taste with a perfect balance of acidity and fruit flavors. The ingredients used are 100% Hokkaido grapes, mainly Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. ◆Other award-winning wines: Silver and bronze awards Image
URL: https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/140719/11/140719-11-137b261263216bb2d14c99f09b32d7c9-1932×1087.jpg Silver Award: 2 items, Bronze Award: 2 items From the left of the image Silver Award [ Silver 2024 – 91pts ] “50th Anniversary Traditional Method Hokkaido Special Cuvée” [Now on sale] (White, sparkling/dry, 750ml, alcohol content 12%) GI Hokkaido certified product Suggested retail price: 11,000 yen (10,000 yen) *Limited sale at the head office’s direct sales office “Otaru Wine Gallery” and official online shop Mainly Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay from Tsurunuma Winery, a farm under our direct control, brewed using the traditional method of secondary fermentation in the bottle. After tirage (bottling), this sparkling wine undergoes 66 months of aging until disgorgement (removal of the dregs), resulting in a sparkling wine with an even deeper and umami flavor. Now on sale exclusively at directly managed stores as a commemorative product for the 50th anniversary of our founding. [Limited brewing 1,247 bottles] Silver Award [ Silver 2024 – 90pts ] “Master of Grape Making Masanobu Tasaki Wooden Barrel Aged Zweigelt 2019” [Now on sale] (Red/Medium, 750ml, 12% alcohol) GI Hokkaido certified product Suggested retail price: 4,653 yen (4,230 yen) JAN code: 4990583-312781 We brew Zweigelt grown by Masanobu Tasaki, a “master grape grower” in Yoichi Town, Hokkaido, use the Saigner method to increase the concentration, and age it in wooden barrels for about a year. The aroma of black fruit such as black cherry, which is unique to the variety, and the aroma of oak blend into the wine, creating a mellow flavor and deep taste. [Limited brewing 3,430 bottles] Bronze Award [ Bronze 2024 ] “PIWIs Blend 2021” [Now on sale] (Red/Medium, 750ml, 12% alcohol) GI Hokkaido certified product Suggested retail price: 1,936 yen (1,760 yen) JAN code: 4990583-318943 A red wine blended with the PIWI variety* that was bred in Germany and established in Hokkaido. The refreshing fruit flavor typical of the northern region and the well-balanced soft texture make this a wine you’ll never get tired of and recommend for everyday drinking. It was released as a next-generation wine with an eye toward sustainable wine production in Hokkaido. *PIWI is an abbreviation for “Pilzwiderstandsfahige Rebsorten” in German and “fungus resistant grape variety” in Japanese. Compared to traditional grape varieties, the amount of pesticides sprayed can be reduced, and it is attracting attention, especially in Europe, from the perspective of organic cultivation and reduced pesticide use. Bronze Award [ Bronze 2024 ] “Tsurunuma Wooden Barrel Fermented Pinot Blanc 2022” [Now on sale] (White/dry, 750ml, alcohol content 12%) GI Hokkaido certified product Suggested retail price: 4,774 yen (4,340 yen) JAN code: 4990583-325002 Pinot Blanc from Tsurunuma Winery, a farm under our direct control, is fermented in barrels and aged in Sur Lies. A complex harmony of fruit aromas such as dried orange and tangerine, and aged aromas such as vanilla and almond. A dry white wine with a good balance of thickness and lightness. [Limited brewing of 1,450 bottles] For more information on the award-winning wines, please see the links below. ◇Hokkaido Wine Official Online Shop HKIWSC2024 Special Page https://www.hokkaidowine.shop/view/page/hkiwsc We feel very honored to have received such a prestigious award in the year that marked our 50th anniversary. As a winery representing Japanese wine and Hokkaido, we will continue to disseminate high-quality wine both domestically and internationally, and contribute to the development of the wine industry in Japan and Hokkaido.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/140719/11/140719-11-b356f8b0b708a74537da08d8562d52e5-893×392.jpg *Drinking alcohol is allowed from the age of 20.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/140719/11/140719-11-4abd8fa29ac40bd8b03e75272df0f6d5-600×600.jpg Hokkaido Wine Co., Ltd. Founded in 1974 in Otaru City, Hokkaido, Hokkaido’s largest winery will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024. Since our founding, we have continued to make wine with a focus on domestic grapes, with the motto “Winemaking is agriculture.” It is one of the largest producers of “Japanese wine” and has received high praise for its quality at wine competitions both domestically and internationally. In 2023, the head office brewery in Otaru, Hokkaido will be renovated as an “experience-based winery” to accommodate tours. In recent years, we have been working on winemaking that will lead to the next generation, such as zero carbon and smart
agriculture. [Official website URL] https://www.hokkaidowine.com/ [Brewery tour URL] https://www.hokkaidowine.com/tours/ ●Inquiry address otoiawase@hokkaidowine.com