# Mars Koshu Sparkling (2026)

- **Producer:** Hombo Shuzo Co., Ltd.
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** sparkling
- **Grapes:** Koshu
- **Region:** Yamanashi, Japan
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 11.0%
- **Average price:** €14
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now
- **Serving temperature:** 6–8 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** apple, grapefruit, peach, blossom

## About this wine

Hombo Shuzo, a historic Japanese producer originating in Kagoshima in 1872, established Mars Wine in Yamanashi in 1960 to craft fine wines from Japan's cool-climate terroirs. In 2017, the producer opened the Mars Hosaka Winery in Nirasaki City, featuring a state-of-the-art gravity-flow design built specifically to highlight Yamanashi fruit. Crafted from Koshu, Japan's indigenous grape, this sparkling wine comes from vineyards situated at elevations between 400 and 700 meters along Mount Kayagatake.

## Interesting facts

- Hombo Shuzo began as a shochu producer in Kagoshima in 1872 before expanding into Yamanashi winemaking in 1960.
- Made exclusively using 100% free-run juice to eliminate harsh tannins and bitterness from Koshu grape skins.
- The Mars Hosaka Winery features a multi-level gravity-flow design to transfer juice without mechanical pumping.

## Food pairing

The bright acidity and fine mousse cleanse the palate between bites of light fried dishes like tempura, while the delicate weight complements fresh raw seafood without overpowering subtle flavors.

## Wine making process

Made using 100% free-run Koshu juice to prevent skin bitterness, the fruit is harvested in mid-September from overhead trellis and Guyot vines. The juice moves through Mars Hosaka Winery's gravity-flow system to minimize physical stress before undergoing cool, slow fermentation in stainless steel tanks to retain pure varietal aromas. The wine remains un-oaked and is gently carbonated to produce a fine, persistent mousse.