Top 10 Best Japanese Plum Wines in the UK 2021 (Choya, Takara and More)
If you’re new to the world of this delicious beverage, allow us to guide you through umeshu essentials like alcohol percentages and the range of tantalising flavours that are available. Then, we’ll give you our top 10 recommendations from brands like Choya, Takara, and Ozeki, which are available to buy from Amazon. So, read on to learn more about our favourite Japanese tipple!
Quick List - Top Japanese Plum Wines
Kishu Monogatari
Made With Top Quality Ume From the Wakayama Prefecture
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How to Choose a Japanese Plum Wine in the UK – Buying Guide
Do you Have a Sweeter Tooth or Want to Experience New Flavours Profiles?
For Sublime Sweetness, Go for Honey Infused Plum Wines
Some companies also add royal jelly to honey flavoured umeshu, which not only increases the level of sweetness but has added benefits such as lowering blood pressure and regulating our immune systems.
Choose Shiso for a Unique, Herbaceous Flavour Experience
Higher Quality Brands Will Contain Whole Ume Fruits
It should be fairly easy to spot whether a bottle physically contains pieces of fruit but just in case you want to check if real ume was used in the production, look for the phrase 本格梅酒 (honkaku umeshu) on the Japanese ingredients part of the label. Wines without this phrase on their packaging, however, will have used flavourings and additives to mimic the taste of ume instead.
Determining the Strength of the Plum Wine
Whilst the percentage of alcohol in umeshu is typically around 10-15%, it can vary in strength depending on the brand. Some plum wines are as low as 5%, whereas others will contain up to 20%. It’s therefore important to check the labels of different brands, to ensure that you find one with the right level of alcohol for you.
Top 10 Japanese Plum Wines in the UK
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Choya 1. Choya Umeshu Mini Multipack | | Miniatures That Are Perfect for Trying out New Flavours | |
2 | Takara 2. Takara Plum Wine | | Smooth and Not Too Sweet | |
3 | Nakatashokuhin 3. Nakatashokuhin Kishu Miyabi Umeshu | | Strong and Fruity, With a Hint of Almond | |
4 | Kishu Monogatari 4. Kishu Monogatari Plum Wine | | Made With Top Quality Ume From the Wakayama Prefecture | |
5 | Akashi-Tai 5. Akashi-Tai Shiraume Umeshu | | A Plum Liqueur With a Sake Twist | |
6 | Nakata 6. Nakata Plum White Umeshu | | Ripe Fruit Gives This Umeshu a Lighter Flavour | |
7 | Choya 7. Choya Royal Honey Umeshu | | Naturally Sweet and Full of Flavour | |
8 | Kagura Shuzo 8. Kagura Shuzo Takachiho Plum Wine Umeshu | | Delicate and Beautifully Designed | |
9 | Hakutsuru 9. Hakutsuru Plum Wine | | An Affordable Introduction to Umeshu | |
10 | Ozeki 10. Ozeki Kanjuku Umeshu | | Ideal for the Umeshu Connoisseur |
Miniatures That Are Perfect for Trying out New Flavours
We love the fact that this multipack allows you to try out flavoured umeshu as well as an “extra years” recipe, in which the ume fruit was stewed for an extra-long period of time! Whether as a treat for yourself or a gift for a friend, this multipack is great value for money. For all of these reasons, it’s our top pick!
Smooth and Not Too Sweet
It’s a very reasonable price too, so it’s perfect if you’re new to the world of umeshu and don’t want to splash out too much, or if you’d like to drink plum wine regularly without draining your bank account!
Nakatashokuhin 3. Nakatashokuhin Kishu Miyabi Umeshu
Strong and Fruity, With a Hint of Almond
This umeshu is a bit more expensive than some of our other picks, but we think the delicious flavour makes it worth the price. As it contains 17% alcohol, however, we recommend it for those who prefer a stronger wine.
Made With Top Quality Ume From the Wakayama Prefecture
Left to mature for up to a year, the nanko ume are full of flavour and produce a sweet, aromatic wine. Sour yet smooth, the flavour of this umeshu tastes even better when chilled, so serve with ice for optimum flavour.
A Plum Liqueur With a Sake Twist
Whilst it’s a little on the small side for the price and has rather plain packaging, it has a wonderfully fruity flavour thanks to the top quality ingredients.
Ripe Fruit Gives This Umeshu a Lighter Flavour
Sweet and smooth, it’s not a bad choice for newcomers to Japanese plum wine. In comparison to our other recommendations, however, it’s unfortunately very small for the price.
Naturally Sweet and Full of Flavour
Although it’s rather pricey, this product is made with the finest ingredients, so it’ll be sure to meet your expectations and impress your guests. The acidity of the ume combined with the natural sweetness of the honey make it a real treat!
Kagura Shuzo 8. Kagura Shuzo Takachiho Plum Wine Umeshu
Delicate and Beautifully Designed
As this beverage is light enough to be enjoyed as either an aperitif or an after-dinner wine, it’s good for those who are new to umeshu. It also has beautiful packaging, so would make a lovely gift for a friend.
An Affordable Introduction to Umeshu
Despite this, it’s an affordable choice which is a good introduction to umeshu for those on a lower budget. Plus, the lovely plum blossom design means this bottle will look great in your drinks cabinet!
Ideal for the Umeshu Connoisseur
Although this is a high-quality plum wine, it has a higher price point so isn’t recommended for those who are new to umeshu. However, for experienced umeshu drinkers or dinner hosts who want to impress their guests, it’s well worth the price.
How Is Japanese Plum Wine Made?
The alcohol added to the fruit is usually brandy or shochu (a Japanese white liquor), although some brands may use vodka, gin, or white rum. The type of alcohol used during the process can therefore determine whether the flavour of an umeshu product is delicate or has a bit of a kick to it!
How to Serve Japanese Plum Wine
If you like a milder tasting beverage, why not try blending umeshu with chilled water (in the warmer months) or hot water (in the winter)? These methods of preparation are popular in Japan, as is mixing umeshu with soda water for a lightly sparkling drink.
Lastly, umeshu can be used to jazz up your favourite cocktails. Add to mint leaves, club soda, and ice for a tasty mojito, or combine with white curacao, mint, ice and salt to make a refreshing frozen margarita. These recipes are ideal if you’re hosting a party or want to impress your friends!
Let Us Mix-Up Your Drinks Cabinet With Some New Tipples
Are you bored of drinking your usual beer from the supermarket, or are you a creature of habit trying to break out? Whatever the reason, we have some great drinks for you to try! If you're looking for a weekend treat or dinnertime tipple we have something especially for you. Take a look at our other articles for our other top recommendations.
Summary
Author: Nicola McClements
Top 5 Japanese Plum Wines
No. 1: Choya ｜1. Choya Umeshu Mini Multipack
No. 2: Takara ｜2. Takara Plum Wine
No. 3: Nakatashokuhin ｜3. Nakatashokuhin Kishu Miyabi Umeshu
No. 4: Kishu Monogatari ｜4. Kishu Monogatari Plum Wine
No. 5: Akashi-Tai ｜5. Akashi-Tai Shiraume Umeshu
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.