Wine Resources in English

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Everything on this page is in English. The first section is the one you probably came for: reading about Japanese wine without reading Japanese. After that, the wider English-language wine world — the critics, the schools, the databases.

Japanese wine, in English

• Koshu of Japan (KOJ)Founded in 2009 by fifteen Yamanashi producers to carry Koshu to international markets. The best single starting point in English★★★
• Japan Wine CompetitionThe official competition for wine made 100% from grapes grown in Japan, running since 2003. English pages from Yamanashi Prefecture★★★
• Japan Wine ChallengeAsia's oldest wine competition, judged in Tokyo since 1997. Results show what the trade here rates★★☆
• Japan National Tourism Organization — Japan's world of wineOfficial tourism guide to the wine regions: Yamanashi, Nagano, Hokkaido, and which wineries take visitors★★☆
• Go! NAGANO — Wineries of NaganoNagano's official travel guide, in English. Eight wineries with histories, specialities and visitor details★★☆
• The Wine Map (this site)Every wine we have written about, pinned to the ground it grew on, with terroir notes. Speaks English★★☆

Critics & reviews

• JancisRobinson.comThe most influential critic in the wine world, plus her Financial Times column. Also behind The World Atlas of Wine, where Japan finally got its own map★★★
• DecanterBritish, global, and the organiser of the DWWA — the competition where Japanese Koshu started taking platinum★★★
• Wine SpectatorUS publication with a review database of more than 450,000 wines★★★
• JamesSuckling.comRates over 40,000 wines a year and covers Asia closely★★★
• Wine AdvocateWhere the 100-point scale came from. Now a team of specialist critics★★★
• VinousAntonio Galloni's publication. Articles, videos and vintage charts★★☆
• Tim Atkin MWMaster of Wine with deep regional reports, and unusually active on social media★★☆
• Wine EnthusiastReviews and ratings alongside food, recipes and lifestyle★★☆

Learning & qualifications

• Wine FollyThe best free introduction there is. Infographics that explain grapes and regions at a glance★★★
• WSETThe Wine & Spirit Education Trust — the world's largest wine education body, and the qualification most of the trade holds★★★
• Institute of Masters of WineThe MW itself: the exam, the directory of Masters of Wine, and their events★★★
• Court of Master SommeliersThe sommelier side of the profession — certification and service standards★★☆
• Wine Scholar GuildRegion-by-region certifications (France, Italy, Spain) with study trips★★☆
• GuildSommEducation for sommeliers and wine professionals. Deep technical material★★☆
• Society of Wine EducatorsCertifications for people who teach wine, plus a well-maintained study blog★☆☆

Trade news

• The Drinks BusinessThe main news outlet for the wine and spirits trade★★☆
• SevenFifty DailyAward-winning magazine on the business and culture of drinks, across all three tiers of the industry★★☆
• VinePair"Drinking is culture." Approachable journalism on wine, beer and spirits★★☆

Data, prices & apps

• Wine-SearcherSearch prices and availability across merchants worldwide. Useful for finding whether a Japanese bottle is exported at all★★★
• VivinoThe largest wine app in the world. Photograph a label, read what everyone else thought★★★
• CellarTrackerCellar management and reviews written by collectors. Where the unvarnished opinions live★★☆
• OIVThe International Organisation of Vine and Wine. Global production, consumption and vineyard statistics, free★★☆

YouTube

• Konstantin Baum — Master of WineOne of the biggest wine channels on YouTube. Teaching and blind tasting from an MW★★★
• Wine FollyMadeline Puckette. The model for explaining wine with pictures★★☆
• Julien MiquelFrench winemaker, best known for teaching the world how to pronounce grape names★★☆
• V is for VinoTravel plus wine: regions, growers and pairings, filmed on location★★☆
• Tom GilbeyShort, sharp tastings. A masterclass in the short-form format★★☆
• GuildSomm InternationalTechnical depth for professionals: viticulture, winemaking, tasting★☆☆

On X

• Jancis Robinson (@JancisRobinson)The finest writing in wine, in short form★★★
• Decanter (@Decanter)Wine news from around the world★★★
• Wine Spectator (@WineSpectator)The magazine's official account★★★
• Tim Atkin (@timatkin)An MW who actually posts. A good way into the English-speaking wine conversation★★☆
• Wine Folly (@WineFolly)Diagram-led. Worth studying for how it presents information★★☆
• @ratgame_wineUs. One Japanese wine a day, in English and Japanese, with the place it came from★☆☆

Stars are a rough measure of reach and standing — ★★★ a standard reference, ★★ widely read, ★ useful for a specific job. Our own judgement, not a ranking.
40 entries, last checked on 5 September 2026. Looking for Japanese-language sources — regional associations, Japanese wine media, official statistics, Japanese YouTube channels? Those are on the Japanese reference list (日本語のリンク集).