Hokuriku

Niigata Prefecture, one of Japan's leading breadbasket regions, has recently become popular as the "Niigata Wine Coast. The maritime climate and sandy soils of the region produce both Chardonnay and Merlot, as well as Albariño, a variety produced in coastal areas of Spain and Portugal. There are also wineries scattered throughout Toyama, Ishikawa, and Fukui prefectures. In Ishikawa Prefecture, wineries have sprung up on the Noto Peninsula.