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Marie Tanaka is the owner of WineStyles Co., Ltd who along with Tsukasa Ono organized the largest cider fest in Japan to date called the Tokyo Cider Collection. The event was held this year on August 2nd and about 300 people attended with over 70 different types of ciders.

Marie says that they are already looking at a larger venue for next year's event.

These two organizers chatted about the growing Japanese cider scene and the current cider drinker in Tokyo. Mr. Ono is the son of an orchardist and shares his perspective on the two apple growing regions:

• Nagano Prefecture
• Aomori Prefecture

Japanese cider makers use both the French spelling for cider "cidre" and use French cidermaking techniques as well.

Marie described 4 types of cidermakers in Japan.

• brewery
• cooperatives
• winery
• orchards

The Nagano Prefecture apple committee sets the standard for the ciders that get the "Geographical Indications" or GI

• 100% apple in Nagano

• bottle fermented
• tank fermented
• no water or sugar

Marie says that there are, "A wide range of drinkers aging around 30 and women like the cider." She continues with, "Women are interested in their beauty and taking an apple gets you healthy"

The Japanese cider scene is growing with the help of Marie and Mr. Ono.

There is even a pub that serves cider The Full Monty British Pub and Cider House

Contact info for Marie

田中 球絵 /Marie Tanaka

株式会社ワイン・スタイルズ

Wine Styles Co.,Ltd

1F Ohata Bldg 3-40-10 Taito

Taito-ku Tokyo 110-0016

tel&fax +81-3-3837-1313

URL:http://www.winestyles.jp

email:[email protected]

Contact for Tsukasa Ono

mailto:[email protected]

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