OENOVITI INTERNATIONAL(*) Symposium 2023 – Japan, organized by  the Institute of Vine and Wine Science (ISVV), University of Bordeaux, France, was held from May 11th to 15th at Kyoto University and University of Yamanashi (symposiums), followed by Niigata University and others (optional tour), Japan.

On Thursday, May 11, SYMPOSIUM 1: “Wine, Sake, and Health” was held at Masukawa Hall, Kyoto University. HIRATA Dai, Ph.D., Vice Director of Sakeology Center, gave a lecture and participated in the following discussion.

SYMPOSIUM 1 (left: lecture by Dr. HIRATA, right: discussion)

 

After the symposium, the participants visited Mahoroba Farm Co. (DMG MORI Vineyards) (201 Midai, Iga, Mie, Japan) and toured vineyards and other facilities.

Tour at Mahoroba Farm Co.

 

On Saturday, May 13, SYMPOSIUM 2: “Disruptive effects of including natural capital in wine business management” was held at the University of Yamanashi in a hybrid format.
After the symposium, the participants visited Château Mercian Katsunuma Winery (1425-1 Shimoiwasaki, Katsunuma, Koshu, Yamanashi, Japan), where they toured the cellars and the wine museum and experienced wine tasting.

left: SYMPOSIUM 2, right: Tour at Château Mercian Katsunuma Winery

 

On Sunday, May 14, after the OENOVITI Work Group Meetings at the University of Yamanashi, Niigata tour participants traveled to Niigata by bus.
Arriving in the evening, “Meeting on Sake and Sakeology-1” was held at Yujin Memorial Hall, Niigata University, where faculty members of Sakeology Center gave an overview of Sakeology and introduced their research.

SUEYOSHI Kuni, Ph.D., Director of Sakeology Center, giving a speech

 

After moving to the Hotel Italiaiken, the participants enjoyed the international exchange with Niigata Furumachi Geigi performance, a traditional Niigata culture of dance, song, and shamisen (a three-stringed traditional Japanese musical instrument), as well as sake and Japanese wine.

Group photo of the international exchange event

 

On Monday, May 15, the participants first visited Niigata Prefectural Sake Research Institute, Japan’s only prefectural research institute specializing in sake. After that, “Meeting on Sake and Sakeology-2” was held at the seminar room, Sakeology Center, Niigata University, where faculty members of the Center introduced their research, and the ceremony to open the “sake faucet” was held.

left: USHIKI Tatsuo, M.D., Ph.D., President of Niigata University, opening the “sake faucet”
right: Toasting at the ceremony

 

In the afternoon, the participants visited Asahi-Shuzo Sake Brewing Co., Ltd. (880-1 Asahi, Nagaoka, Niigata, Japan) for a sake brewery tour and sake tasting.

OENOVITI INTERNATIONAL Symposium was held face-to-face for the first time in four years, and it provided a valuable opportunity for international exchange among researchers from Japan and abroad, with information exchange and lively discussions.

The Niigata tour was also an opportunity to deepen understanding and interest in sake and Sakeology by experiencing sake and traditional regional culture.

Group photo in front of Sakeology Center

 

(*) The OENOVITI INTERNATIONAL Network was established in 2010, led by the ISVV, University of Bordeaux, to develop and expand grape and wine science.
More than 60 research institutes, companies, and other organizations worldwide participate in the network, and Sakeology Center has been a member since January 2019.
For more information on the OENOVITI INTERNATIONAL Network, please click here.