Oct 11, 2012 - 1 min read

Hiroshima Umeshu Festival 2012

Celebrating plum wine from across the country

By Emmie Tsumura

Community writer

Another splash? The plum wine festival in 2012 had 145 different kinds of umeshu and fruit wine to choose from. There were 68 competing in the classic plum wine section, and many other specialty wines, like ginger, pear, lychee, and yogurt.

The Alice in Wonderland-inspired Alice Garden, behind Parco.

This cute little cup was our vessel for the day. Have cup, will pour.

Yes please. More please!

How do you make a gorgeous washi label even better? Put a bird on it! Unlike the zen simplicity of sake labels, umeshu bottle designs express themselves through vibrant colour and design. They are just as fun to look at as they are to drink. Well, almost!

Having a little taste...you always pour for your friends first!

All of the wines are listed on this handy dandy little sheet. It's a challenge being all in Japanese, but becomes a great list to refer to once you figure out which ones you like. People were happy to help me figure out the names.

Alright everyone, place your votes! Each bottle was numbered and we voted for our favourites with a coloured bead. The bottle with the most beads wins! It was easy, and exciting to see which ones were contenders.

Beautiful pear and lychee liqueurs. Great on ice or with soda!

The yuzu plum wine by NakanoBC was a hit. Also drawing attention was a hiccup-stopping wine from Fukuoka, and Hiroshima's own Ugonotsuki from Kure.

Drool...agh, time to go home! I'm in a state!

The one that got away. Blood Orange Wine: SOLD OUT!!! Ah well, amazing day!!!

The Hiroshima Umeshu Festival was held at the beginning of October 2012, celebrating the plum wine-making tradition in Japan. The festival showcases plum wines from all across the country, competing in three main categories: Sake, Sho-chu, and Brandy-based Umeshu. There is also another category for specialty fruit wines and other liqueurs. For just 1500 yen, or 1000 yen in advance, it’s a four-hour, all-you-can-drink event where participants can indulge in more than 100 different kinds of plum wine. Much like the craft beer festival, this is an exciting, fun event that promises to get bigger and bigger every year.

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Emmie Tsumura

By Emmie Tsumura

Community writer

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Linda Cordes

Linda Cordes 9 years ago

I love Umeshu! Do you know if this will be held in Hiroshima this year? I tried to find some dates, but I didn't have much luck.

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