Hokkaido

Hokkaido is cooler than Japan's other grape-growing areas. From April to October, average temperatures are 15°C or lower. Major vineyard areas have wide temperature swings between day and night, at least 1,100 hours of sunshine and 700 mm or less rainfall. Winter protection is part of vineyard work. In districts with heavy snowfall, growers may cover vines with snow to protect them from freezing and broken branches. Tokachi has lighter snowfall but intense cold, so vines may be buried in soil instead. Yoichi, Iwamizawa, Furano and Ikeda are major grape-growing areas within the Hokkaido geographical indication, or GI. Permitted grapes include Kerner, Bacchus, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zweigelt, as well as American, wild-vine and hybrid varieties. Yamasachi is a variety developed in Hokkaido. Whites are generally pale and fruity, with pronounced acidity and sometimes floral, green-apple or orange-fruit aromas. Reds are light to medium-bodied, with clear acidity and a mild drying grip. GI Hokkaido wine must use grapes harvested in Hokkaido and be made and bottled there.