News of cherry blossoms has begun to arrive, and spring is finally in full swing.
Alcoholic beverages for spring, with a gorgeous appearance and aroma, are making their debut.
We once again participated in KURAND's media-exclusive new product tasting event.
We tried the new products brimming with a sense of spring: Hana Okuru Rose Wine and Flower Veil -Hana to Umeshu-!
Hana Okuru Rose Wine, Which Even Comes with an Artificial Flower
The product details are as follows:
- Product Type: Wine
- Alcohol Content: 12%
- Volume: 500ml
- Manufacturer: Iwasaki Brewery (Yamanashi Prefecture)
- Price: 3,490 yen (including tax)
First, we start with Hana Okuru Rose Wine.
It is finished by blending red wine based primarily on grapes from Yamanashi Prefecture, and it is said to have a dry base.
There is a single flower on the bottle!
KURAND's alcoholic beverages always entertain us with their packaging and labels, but since these two bottles are gift specifications, it gives the impression that even more effort has been put into them.
Being a wine, the texture is, of course, smooth.
For KURAND's alcoholic beverages, which have been developing thick liqueurs like the ones we usually eat, this is quite a straightforward challenge (meant as a compliment).
As for the flavor we were curious about, I felt it was in the considerably easy-to-drink category even among rosé wines.
The packaging is designed with Mother's Day in mind, but the fact that it is not too sweet is also a good point.
It is extremely dry and seems like it would go well with any meal!
Flower Veil -Hana to Umeshu-, Which Smells Like a Flower
The product details are as follows:
- Product Type: Umeshu
- Alcohol Content: 14%
- Volume: 500ml
- Manufacturer: Narakasugayama Shuzo (Nara Prefecture)
- Price: 3,990 yen (including tax)
Next is Flower Veil -Hana to Umeshu-.
I introduced these two bottles as being suitable for gifts centered around Mother's Day, and in a survey conducted by KURAND, the popularity of wine and umeshu was extremely high.
These are alcoholic beverages that are particular about both their appearance and their contents.
While Hana Okuru Rose Wine had an artificial flower attached, Flower Veil -Hana to Umeshu- has a gimmick in the package itself!
Actually, in 2024, products called Flower Bouquet -Rose Wine- and Flower Bouquet -Umeshu- appeared for a limited time.
You could say Flower Veil -Hana to Umeshu- is the 2026 version of those.
This is a highly fragrant, authentic umeshu made by slowly steeping green plums from Nara Prefecture for over six months.
A mellow sweetness reminiscent of ripe peaches or apricots overlaps with a pleasant acidity.
Please enjoy the elegant and juicy afterglow, as if being wrapped in a veil of flowers.
(Translated from Japanese)
A transparent liquid color that is not inferior to high-end umeshu.
The texture is smooth, and as a writer who loves umeshu, expectations are high!
Time for the actual tasting!
Flower Veil -Hana to Umeshu- has a very mellow aroma, and I also feel a sense of sweetness.
However, when I actually drank it, it was very rich, and I firmly felt the umami and acidity of the plum. Rather, the sweetness might be modest.
It is finished with a taste exactly as described: "slowly steeped for over six months."
The manufacturer, Narakasugayama Shuzo, reportedly shows an attitude of "our umeshu competes on how dry it is," and the serious umeshu feel from a straightforward approach without any playfulness really hits the mark.
It is easy for one's eyes to be drawn to the package, but this is a masterpiece that umeshu lovers should definitely drink!
