HOKKAIDO, May 30, 2026 (News On Japan) –
World-renowned musician YOSHIKI is betting on Hokkaido wine as Japan’s subsequent international export success story, becoming a member of a rising record of worldwide figures and trade leaders who see the island as one of many world’s most promising rising wine areas.
Last yr, YOSHIKI visited vineyards in Yoichi, west of Otaru, the place he spoke passionately about the way forward for Hokkaido-produced wine.
“I hope Hokkaido wine will become not only a great product but also one of Japan’s future export industries,” YOSHIKI mentioned.
The X JAPAN chief is now concerned in tasks geared toward selling Hokkaido wines to worldwide markets, reflecting rising confidence that the area can compete on the world stage.
That confidence is being shared by a number of the wine trade’s most revered names. Across Hokkaido, wineries have been opening at a fast tempo, whereas prestigious European producers are investing within the area and consultants level to local weather change as a key issue behind its rising fortunes.
Among these impressed by Hokkaido’s potential is Philippe Troussier, the previous coach of Japan’s nationwide soccer staff, who now works as a winemaker in Bordeaux, France.
Visiting the vineyards of NIKI Hills Winery in Niki Town, Troussier in contrast winemaking to soccer ways.
“In winemaking, I apply a 3-4-3 system,” he mentioned.
After tasting native wines, Troussier famous that Hokkaido’s local weather produces a particular fashion.
“Even with the same Merlot variety, Hokkaido wines felt lighter, with more moderate alcohol levels and structure,” he mentioned.
He believes the area possesses qualities similar to a number of the world’s main wine-producing areas.
International funding has already adopted. In Hakodate, Burgundy’s historic De Montille vineyard has established vineyards, marking some of the distinguished overseas entries into Japan’s wine trade.
The French vineyard, which traces its historical past again greater than 300 years, started planting vines in Hokkaido in 2019.
“The site benefits from winds flowing in from various directions and excellent sunlight throughout the day,” mentioned Akira Yano, basic supervisor of De Montille & Hokkaido.
The objective, he mentioned, is to supply wines that totally categorical the character of the native surroundings.
The progress of Hokkaido’s wine sector has been placing. The variety of wineries throughout the island has elevated from 42 six years in the past to 76 this yr, whereas the vary of regionally produced wines continues to increase.
Behind the increase is a dramatic shift occurring throughout the worldwide wine trade.
A analysis staff composed of European universities warned in a 2023 examine that roughly 55 % of Europe’s conventional wine-producing areas may disappear by the top of the century if international warming continues unchecked.
Historic wine areas in nations reminiscent of Portugal, Italy and Greece may develop into unsuitable for grape cultivation. Under essentially the most extreme local weather eventualities, researchers predict that perfect wine-growing zones may shift roughly 900 kilometers northward.
Hokkaido sits near the latitude the place lots of these future wine areas are anticipated to emerge.
“The increase in wineries across Hokkaido has been rapid, and more people than expected are trying to grow wine grapes here,” mentioned Manabu Nemoto, head of the Climate Change Adaptation Group at Japan’s National Agriculture and Food Research Organization.
For a long time, Hokkaido’s cool summers restricted the varieties that could possibly be grown efficiently. Today, rising temperatures are altering that equation.
“In the past, varieties such as Pinot Noir could not be cultivated because Hokkaido’s summers were too cool,” Nemoto mentioned. “Now, with noticeable temperature increases, famous European grape varieties can be grown and vinified successfully.”
Some projections recommend that by 2050, practically all of Hokkaido may develop into appropriate for wine grape cultivation.
Yet the chance comes with dangers. Winemakers are already observing modifications in harvest schedules.
Ryousuke Kondo of KONDO Vineyard in Kuriyama mentioned harvest dates have shifted considerably in recent times.
“Things started changing dramatically around 2019, and harvests have been moving earlier,” Kondo mentioned. “We are entering an era of warming that no one has experienced before.”
Researchers additionally warn that rising temperatures may convey new pests and illnesses.
“When weather conditions change, new diseases and insects arrive,” mentioned Teruo Sone, director of the Wine Education and Research Center at Hokkaido University. “The challenge will be determining how to continue producing high-quality grapes under those changing conditions.”
As the worldwide map of wine manufacturing is redrawn, Hokkaido is rising as one of many greatest beneficiaries. The area’s rising fame is attracting worldwide funding, movie star assist, and rising consideration from wine consultants all over the world.
For supporters reminiscent of YOSHIKI, the hope is that Hokkaido wine can develop into greater than a regional specialty—remodeling right into a globally acknowledged Japanese export. Whether that future could be sustained, nonetheless, could rely on how efficiently the world responds to the local weather modifications that helped create the chance within the first place.
Source: HBCニュース 北海道放送