×
Sale
Rapid Ship
Spirits
750ml
Bottle: $100.70 $106.00
Kaiy? whisky is matured in the finest Japanese Mizunara oak casks. These casks are handmade due to Mizunara oak’s...
12 FREE
Sale
Rapid Ship
Spirits
750ml
Bottle: $78.17 $82.28
This was aged in Japan's rare Mizunara oak for the entirety of its maturation, which includes three-month ocean...
12 FREE
WE
91
WKY
90
Sale
Spirits
750ml
Bottle: $86.82 $91.39
The lightly smoky sea-breeze aroma entices on the nose. The palate opens with bolder peat smoke underpinned by...
12 FREE
WE
92
Sale
Spirits
750ml
Bottle: $71.82 $75.60
Sandalwood aromas are robust and exhilarating on the nose. The cedar cask influence is immediately apparent in the...
12 FREE
UBC
95
Sale
Spirits
12 FREE
Sale
Rapid Ship
Spirits
750ml
Bottle: $99.75 $105.00
12 FREE
Rapid Ship
Spirits
750ml
Bottle: $41.40
Get back to nature; this is a whisky to savor during a spectacular sunrise. Lychee, edamame, pea shoots, green apple,...
12 FREE
WKY
90
Sale
Spirits
750ml
Bottle: $39.92 $41.10
12 bottles: $37.91
12 FREE
Case only
Red
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $16.94
Vivid ruby red color verging on violet. Sparkling fine bubbles forming a lively and evanescent foam that lines the...
Case only
Red
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $18.13
Vivid ruby red color verging on violet. Sparkling fine bubbles forming a lively and evanescent foam that lines the...
Sale
Red
750ml
Bottle: $10.89 $11.51
12 bottles: $10.67
Case only
Red
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $8.55
Ruby-red with violet highlights. Medium-full bodied red wine with notes of violets and crushed red fruits on the...
Sale
Red
750ml
Bottle: $11.52 $12.13
12 bottles: $9.03
A full bodied red fro the Abruzzo region. From its delicate ripe cherry nose to its robust finish,this wine is a...
Sale
Red
750ml
Bottle: $15.83 $17.59
12 bottles: $13.18
Here's a solid, straightforward red that opens with aromas of sour cherry and a whiff of new leather. The ripe fruity...
Red
750ml
Bottle: $17.59
12 bottles: $13.67
Here's a solid, straightforward red that opens with aromas of sour cherry and a whiff of new leather. The ripe fruity...
Red
750ml
Bottle: $15.88
12 bottles: $14.30
Enticing aromas of Bosc pear, chamomile, singed orange rind and lemon oil waft from the glass. It's vibrant and crisp...
WE
93
Sale
Red
750ml
Bottle: $14.93 $15.88
12 bottles: $14.30
Pale garnet in hue, with a dry, mouthwatering frame for the violet and spice accents, and flavors of macerated...
WS
88
Rapid Ship
Red
750ml
Bottle: $12.99
The NV Rosso Labrusca lifts up with a decadent blend of ripe cherries, blueberries, sweet herbs and spice. This takes...
VM
90
W&S
90
Sale
Red
750ml
Bottle: $17.57 $18.49
12 bottles: $17.52
Extremely fresh on the nose, with notes of wild berries and red fruits. On the palate, this full-bodied Lambrusco...
Case only
Spirits
750ml - Case of 4
Bottle: $122.40
12 FREE

Japanese Whiskey Lambrusco Montepulciano Vidiano 750ml

Whisky might not be the first thing that springs to mind when we think of Japanese fine produce, but over the past one hundred years, this fascinating and multi-faceted country has diligently forged a unique whisky identity which is growing in popularity, and which is entirely its own.

The story of Japanese whisky begins in 1918, when Masataka Taketsuru was sent to Scotland to undertake a tour of single malt distilleries in the Highlands, and bring home a knowledge of whisky and distillation skills. He returned full of inspiration, helped no doubt by his new Scottish wife, and alongside his friend, Shinjiro Torii, set up what would become a successful whisky industry.

Today, the Japanese whisky industry is spread over a relatively small handful of distilleries, which continue to use Scottish techniques and recipes, but with a hefty dose of distinctly Japanese experimentalism. This is displayed most obviously in the barrelling techniques the Japanese use - to create a distinctly Oriental set of tasting notes, native Japanese oakwood casks are used for ageing, alongside casks taken from plum wine producers, which impart a beautiful set of floral flavors to the whisky.

While some distilleries produce some excellent single malts, the majority of Japanese whiskies are blended, which reveals a unique set of flavors and aromas ranging from honeysuckle and orange blossom, to toffee and acetone.

Some grape species are distinct and unique varietals, clearly separate from each of their cousins. Others, like Lambrusco and Muscat, are more like umbrella terms, featuring several subspecies which show slight differences from each other from region to region. Indeed, there are astonishingly more than 60 identified varieties of Lambrusco vines, and they are almost all used in the production of characterful Italian sparkling wines. They are distinguishable by their deep ruby blush, caused by strong pigments present in their skins, and their intensely perfumed character.


Lambrusco vines are grown in several Italian regions, although we most closely associate this varietal with Piedmont and Basilicata. It has also been grown successfully in Argentina and Australia. The varietal suffered from a fairly lowly reputation in the late 20th century, due to bulk, low cost production of Lambrusco sparkling wines, aimed at markets across northern Europe and America. However, things are rapidly changing, and the older, more traditional methods of bottle fermentation are returning, along with a higher level of quality and expression, as consumers become more discerning and demanding. Many of the Lambrusco sub-varieties have their own established DOC, such as Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce, Lambrusco di Sorbara and Modena, where new regulations are keeping standards high and methods traditional.

Montepulciano grapes are one of the most widely cultivated varietals in Italy, with vines growing in twenty of Italy's ninety five provinces. This varietal is renowned for producing high yields, making it popular with vintners looking for a relatively easy varietal to grow. Whilst the grapes tend to have a low skin to juice ratio, the skins themselves are remarkably high in tannins with a lot of pigmentation, which means they often produce rather well bodied wines with a beautiful deep, dark color The wines of Montepulciano grapes are most commonly associated with soft, rounded characteristics, with plenty of juicy, plummy flavors The wines are known for being very smooth and drinkable, and easy to match with a wide range of foods.