Japanese Wine Umi to Tsuchi

Japan’s wine industry is only just beginning to win recognition on the world stage, but at this innovative Kanazawa restaurant, it steals the show. Here at Japanese Wine Umi to Tsuchi, you’ll find bottles from 10 domestic wineries, representing the best of the fledgling scene in Yamanashi Prefecture. The establishment has developed its own distinct taste: a fusion of Japanese cuisine with French and Italian styles, resulting in “an innovative genre that transcends the boundaries of traditions and cultures of each region.” Take for example the tea-bean eclair, made of chamame—the rarer, more fragrant cousin of edamame, harvested from the same soybean plant. With direct connections to the wine producers of Yamanashi, the staff at Japanese Wine Umi to Tsuchi know each bottle almost as well as the winemakers themselves. Taking into account the flavor profile and story of each variety, they match each dish with a pairing that will leave a lasting impression.