Well, it has been several months since I had an update on wines, mostly because there just isn’t very much to report in the months of January to June. It is always in the second half of the year that things move in the wine industry, and this year should prove to be even more interesting than the last.
The most important thing to report about wine this year is the strength of the Japanese Yen. So what does the JPY have to do with wine? Prices in Japan for top range wines from France, Germany, America and Italy will seem very reasonable, and less expensive but no less delicious vintages from Australia or Chile should become downright cheap. Eis Wein from Canada and Germany will finally be priced at levels people will be able to afford. No longer is Eis Wein solely in the playground of the rich and famous!!
Another major source of downward pressure on the price of wine this year is the sorry state of the global economy that everyone is so very aware of these days. Global demand for wine has dropped in the neighborhood of 15% and with good vintages expected in Southern Europe this year, a glut of fine mead should force prices down even further. In short, there has never been a better time to get into wine in Japan than today.
Soon I’ll have another update of world-class Eis Wein vintages from the Okanagan Valley, and students at my Smith’s School of English Franchise Kotoen Wine Tasting Course will have a unique opportunity to sample these incredible wines paired with German Honey Bee Cake and Rum Raisin ice cream. Read it and weep!
Take care!
Martin Werner Zander, Smith’s Partner
マーティン・ワーナー・ザンダー
Owner Smith’s School of English Kotoen
月謝制のスミス英会話 甲東園校 仁川校 逆瀬川校
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