Western Australian wine is about to get a boost in the Japanese market, if wine ambassador Yumi Yamagata has anything to do with it.
Ms Yamagata, a well-known and highly regarded flautist, and actress Tomoko Ikuta were appointed Western Australia’s first Japanese wine ambassadors, as part of a long-term strategy to support WA wine in Japan.
Ms Yamagata recently visited WA under the wine ambassador program, co-ordinated by the government’s Tokyo office in collaboration with the Department of Industry and Resources, to sample some of Australia’s finest drops.
She plans to use the knowledge gained on the trip to promote WA wines to her many fans back home.
WA is globally recognised for producing premium quality wines, with a large number of the state’s wineries having won international awards.
While WA only produces 4.5 per cent of the nation’s total wine volume, the state boasts about 25 per cent of Australia’s premium wine production volume.
Since WA wine was first imported to Japan in 1990, the state’s wine production has increased 10-fold.
Australian wine imports to Japan grew by 34 per cent in 2004 and it now ranks fifth behind France, Italy, the US and Chile.
During her visit, Ms Yamagata toured 10 wineries in the Swan Valley and Margaret River regions, including Sandleford Wines, Houghtons, Brookland Valley, Leeuwin Estate, Vasse Felix and Voyager Estate.
“I was very impressed by the friendly and natural manner of the winemakers who made me feel very welcome,” Ms Yamagata said.
“I enjoy wine and have learned a lot during this trip.
“I think I can use my profile to promote Western Australian wines. I often appear on television and radio and in magazines.
“I can use the occasion of this first visit to WA to raise the topic and talk about WA wines during those interviews.
“I will also be able to serve WA wines at my concert receptions, where I entertain high-profile people.”
