Slovakia Working to Spread Its Wine in Japan

Tokyo, June 21 (Jiji Press)–Boasting an ancient wine tradition dating back over 2,000 years, Slovakia, a somewhat “hidden gem” among wine producers, is working to make a mark in the Japanese market. A Slovak association of grape growers and wine producers in April this year established its first overseas office in Japan. Despite having a land area equivalent to only about 60 pct of the northernmost Japan prefecture of Hokkaido, vineyards stretch across Slovakia, particularly in the southern regions. The country’s light-tasting white wines are noted for their compatibility with Japanese cuisine. Emphasizing what he described as the Slovak white wines’ “exponential minerality and expression in general,” Peter Minarik, a sommelier in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, expressed hopes of promoting the alcoholic beverage in Japan. Nurtured by a cooler climate, Slovak wines are distinguished by their smooth, refreshing taste. Minarik said that they pair well with Japanese cuisine, which features many fish and vegetable dishes. Viticulture in Slovakia is believed to have started in the 7th or 6th century B.C. Since then, over 50 grape varieties have been grown in the Central European nation, including those indigenous to the country, with white wines making up about 70 pct of the country’s wine production. It is said that Slovak white wine was served aboard the ill-fated luxury ocean liner, the Titanic. According to trade statistics and other data, Japan imported over 20,000 liters of Slovak wine in 2024. While this is far less than the approximately 39 million liters of Chilean wine imported by Japan, Slovak wine has gradually gained traction in the Asian nation, partly thanks to promotional activities at the 2025 World Exposition in Osaka, western Japan. Slovak wine was featured for the first time in the 2026 edition of a sommelier textbook published by the Japan Sommelier Association. Highlighting how far Slovak wine has come in terms of name recognition in Japan, Jaroslava Kanuchova Patkova, an executive director of the Slovak association, expressed her delight. Saying that she aims to help Slovak wine become more “widespread,” she voiced hopes to organize promotional events, such as wine tastings. Wine prices, especially those of French wines, have been surging around the world. Hiroaki Nishimura, 68, who heads the Slovak association’s Japan office in Osaka, named Slovakia Wine Japan, said that relatively inexpensive wines from Central and Eastern Europe are beginning to attract attention. “Slovakia has a long history of winemaking, and (its wines are) of high quality,” Nishimura said, adding that they offer “great value for money.” END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]