Gekkeikan Plum Wine
Gekkeikan Plum Wine is a Japanese umeshu bottled at 13% ABV in a 750mL bottle — crafted by Gekkeikan Sake Brewing Co., the Fushimi, Kyoto brewery founded in 1637, from choice nanko plums grown in the orchards of Wakayama in central Japan. What sets it apart from most plum wines is the method: rather than simply steeping plums in neutral spirits, Gekkeikan actually ferments the plum juice using its sake-brewing technique, then marries it with soaked plum fruit in fermented wine and matures the blend — a more complex, layered product that reads closer to true wine than a flavored spirit. Order it online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 13%
- Size: 750mL
- Fruit: nanko ume plums from Wakayama, Japan
- Method: plum juice fermented with sake-brewing technique, then matured
- Producer: Gekkeikan, Fushimi, Kyoto (founded 1637)
- Style: umeshu — sweet-tart Japanese plum wine
Four Centuries of Brewing in a Plum Wine
Nearly 400 years of sake brewing went into this bottle: Gekkeikan applies its fermentation mastery to plum juice itself, yielding a wine of unusual depth — rich plum nectar balanced by a refreshing tart acidity that keeps it from ever turning cloying. It is as comfortable beside Szechuan heat or Thai curry as it is poured over vanilla ice cream for dessert. Browse sake & plum wine, wine and the Gekkeikan collection at Del Mesa Liquor.
Tasting Notes
Appearance: beautiful amber-yellow. Nose: juicy sweet aromas of ripe peach and nectarine, tart ume plum, baking spices, honey and toasted almond. Palate: mellow and slightly syrupy — intense plum nectar sweetness met by refreshing tart acidity. Finish: long and clean, pleasantly fruity without heaviness.
How to Enjoy
Serve well chilled, or on the rocks for a longer pour. It is a natural with spicy food and blue cheese, a lovely dessert wine beside fruit tarts and chocolate, and a creative cocktail base.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is umeshu? Japanese plum wine — traditionally made from ume plums; Gekkeikan's version is distinguished by actually fermenting the plum juice.
How sweet is it? Subtly sweet with a refreshing sourness — balanced, not syrupy.
What is the alcohol content? 13% ABV, 750mL.
Authentic Japanese plum wine — order Gekkeikan Plum Wine online from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.