These days, opportunities to drink wine at home are increasing. Coupled with the growing trend toward natural foods, natural wine is attracting more and more attention.

So this time, we went inside Festivant, a wine shop located in a corner of Beauty Apothecary on the second basement floor of the main building of Isetan Shinjuku. We spoke to store manager Yoshikazu Okada, who was one of the first department stores to introduce natural wine, about everything from the basics of "What is natural wine?" to wines that might make good topics of conversation for online drinking parties.

What's the difference between natural wine and regular wine?

"Natural wine is characterized by spontaneous fermentation using indigenous yeast. Antioxidants are generally not used, but very small amounts are allowed" (Yoshikazu Okada, same below).

The key is the yeast and antioxidants used.


"Most natural wines are made in small wineries. Everything from soil preparation to cultivation, harvesting, and brewing is done by hand."

Natural wine is wine made as close to nature as possible. What are the characteristics of the taste?

"The appeal is the complex flavor achieved by the wide variety of indigenous yeasts and the smooth drinking experience that allows you to taste the grapes themselves. The weather also affects the quality of the grapes, so it's interesting how the taste changes from year to year. Speaking of vintages, I recommend the 2018 vintage, but only if it's made in France. It's rich in fruit and is sure to be delicious for anyone to drink."

How can you tell natural wine from other wines?

"It's difficult to tell them apart. For example, this wine has a Demeter mark on it. It means that the wine has been certified by an organization that practices biodynamic farming (a farming method that incorporates astrology based on the movement of celestial bodies). You could just look for these certification marks, but some producers choose not to get certified, so it's quite difficult to tell the difference."

Festivin specializes in natural wines, so you won't get lost! When I want to buy natural wine at other stores, I ask the staff for advice. But I was surprised to learn that some producers choose not to get certified.


"Natural winemakers are all extremely unique. Some think that nothing will come from getting certified, and some dislike hanging out with others and being tied down (laughs)."

We'd love to get to know these producers better and find out more about their wines that you can "talk about" to others! Please take this opportunity to let us know your recommendations, Okada-san.

Selected by Yoshikazu Okada!
5 Natural Wines for Connoisseurs

■A "cloudy" sparkling wine for connoisseurs

"This is a cloudy type that has not been removed from the sediment. The sediment retains a lot of flavor and aroma, allowing you to savor its richness and complexity. Recently, we've seen an increase in customers coming to our store specifically for cloudy wines. Their light sparkling texture makes them perfect for this season."

"Roncailler Sui Lieviti" (2,970 yen)
Made in Italy / White, slightly sparkling / 750ml
Available at: Isetan Shinjuku Main Building B2F = Beauty Apothecary/Shop Festivan, Isetan Mitsukoshi Online Store

■If you're looking for a bottle that you'll want to show off and say, "Look at this!", this is it

"This is a red wine with a concentrated fruit flavor. It's easy to drink and great value, making it Festivin's best-selling wine right now. Playing on the name "Open Now!", the side of the uncorked bottle has the message "Well Done," showing the winemaker's playful spirit."

"Open Now 2018" (1,870 yen)
Made in France / Red / 750ml
Available at: Isetan Shinjuku Main Building B2F = Beauty Apothecary/Shop Festivant, Isetan Mitsukoshi Online Store

■ Both the taste and design are unique


"Riesling "Le Vert et dans le Fruits" 2014" (6,600 yen)
Made in France / White / 750ml
Available at: Isetan Shinjuku Main Building B2F = Beauty Apothecary / Shop Festivant,Isetan Mitsukoshi Online Store

■A convenient white wine that goes with any type of cuisine

"'Cotidiana' means 'everyday' in Italian, and as the name suggests, it has the perfect refreshing flavor for an everyday wine. A recommended pairing for the upcoming season is a salad made with plenty of herbs and olive oil. Enjoy it ice-chilled.'

"La Cotidiana Bianco" (2,090 yen)
Made in Italy / White / 750ml
Available at: Isetan Shinjuku Main Building B2F = Beauty Apothecary/Shop Festivan, Isetan Mitsukoshi Online

■The correct way to drink summer red wine is slightly chilled

From Spain, a notable producer of natural wines. This is a light red, close in color to rosé. Served slightly chilled, the ripe fruit and acidity spread throughout your mouth. Made without chemical fertilizers or hydrochloric acid (antioxidants), it uses only one variety. The individuality of the vineyard and variety is simply expressed."

"Sin Ui da Llebre" (2,530 yen)
Made in Spain / Red / 750ml
Available at: Beauty Apothecary/Shop Festivan, Isetan Shinjuku Main Building B2F, Isetan Mitsukoshi Online Store
No need for knowledge or rules! Happy your heart! Happy your body! If it's pleasant to drink and delicious, ALL IS HAPPY! We hope we can convey even a little of the appeal of natural wine. We hope that this will help you enjoy wine at home even more.

Okada Yoshikazu
His love for wine began when he worked part-time at a wine bar during his student days. After graduating, he worked in a job unrelated to wine, but his love of wine led him to move to France. He then worked in wine shops and bistros, and was invited by the late Katsuyama Shinsaku, organizer of Festivan, to take charge of Festivan, located on the second basement floor of the main building of Isetan Shinjuku, adjacent to Beauty Apothecary.


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